Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › How Do I? › Smoothing Buttercream frosting
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Smoothing Buttercream frosting

post #1 of 11
3/13/10 at 12:02pm
Thread Starter 
How do I make buttercream frosting spread smoother so that I have a flatter surface without going over and over to smooth it out?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 11
3/13/10 at 12:05pm
There are 2 methods that work really well ~~ they both sound a little strange, but they DO work!!

One is called the Melvira Method. It uses a high-density foam paint roller and a crusting buttercream recipe.

The other is the Viva method using, yep you guessed it, a Viva paper towel and a crusting buttercream recipe.

You can find instructions for both on this site. HTH!
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 11
3/13/10 at 1:56pm
http://cakecentral.com/articles/69/upside-down-icing-technique-for-perfectly-smooth-icing


http://cakecentral.com/articles/126/quick-easy-smooth-icing-using-a-roller-melvira-method

the link to the melvira uses the viva method and here is a video Edna made about smoothing BC-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIXHFqpJK84
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 11
3/13/10 at 5:14pm
I really think it is practice. On a round cake I start with a lot of buttercream in the center and work it out to the edge, and over the edge. Then I go down the sides, add more if needed until the sides are even. It will make an edge that sticks up around the edge of the round, then you pull the spatula over the edge, towards the center and you have a mostly smooth surface. The less you touch and go over and over the better it is. I always check the thickness by sticking the spatula straight down and then smoothing it over.

Practice, practice.

icon_smile.gif
Always put your eggs in one basket.......why do you want to carry two?
Reply
Always put your eggs in one basket.......why do you want to carry two?
Reply
post #5 of 11
3/13/10 at 5:43pm
for a crusting buttercream i use the viva method to finish it off

for a non crusting buttercream i use a spatular and knife to apply and then a dough/bench scraper to finish it off

thumbs_up.gif
Design Addict
Reply
Design Addict
Reply
post #6 of 11
3/13/10 at 6:01pm
I use a 16'' pastry bag and a wilton Icer Tip 789, then I will smooth my edges with a Viva towel!
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 11
3/15/10 at 5:57am
I use the Viva paper towel method and it works perfect everytime!!
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 11
3/22/10 at 6:44pm
I use a 4 inch drywall spatula to smooth out the sides. I think it is easier to hold the drywall tool (because the handle is parallel to the top of the cake) than using a regular icing spatula (which is usually perpendicular to the top of the cake). I hope that makes sense!
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 11
3/22/10 at 8:22pm
I use a hot spatula to smooth over crusted or uncrusted buttercream.


Reply


Reply
post #10 of 11
3/23/10 at 6:21pm
Practice, practice, practice, practice. And then, more practice.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 11
3/23/10 at 6:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by prterrell

Practice, practice, practice, practice. And then, more practice.



And just when you think you've got it, practice some more!
Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways. Where it is unwilling, it will find a thousand excuses.
-----------------------------------------------------
"I did then what I knew then, when I knew better, I did better." Maya Angelou
Reply
Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways. Where it is unwilling, it will find a thousand excuses.
-----------------------------------------------------
"I did then what I knew then, when I knew better, I did better." Maya Angelou
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: How Do I?
Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › How Do I? › Smoothing Buttercream frosting