This is about my tenth time today I have seen a comment or read a post regarding using Viva paper towels on buttercream? How/What do you do? What does this do and in what instance does it need to be done? I'm making my first cake using buttercream in a few days so I would like all the help I can get. Thanks!

HI

WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IS USING VIVA PAPER TOWELS TO SMOOTH YOUR BUTTERCREAM ICING. THEY USE VIVA BECAUSE IT HAS A NON PRINTED DESIGN. IF YOU USE PAPER TOWELS LIKE SAY BOUNTY THE ICING WILL TAKE ON THE DESIGN OF THE PAPER TOWEL.GO TO THE HOW TO FORUM AND BROWSE IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS HERE WHO CAN HELP YOU. I PERSONALLY HAVE NEVER USED THIS METHOD.

When you have iced your cake with buttercream icing, let it crust for about 5 minutes. Then lay you paper towel on top and smooth your hands over it. You can also do this on the sides of your cake. It gives your icing a smooth look.

Viva is the best because it has no designs or imprints that would appear on your cake.

YEAH, THATS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY. I MAY TRY THIS ONE.

Hey CakeRookie! I just made my first cake using the Viva Paper towels..and let me tell you...it worked great. I didn't use my hands though, I used my fondant smoother. After I iced it, I put it in the fridge for about 5 - 10 min and then took it back out and smoothed it out. When I went out today..I bought another roll...LOL...Good Luck!!

Beth

HEEEEEEEEEEEEY!

GLAD IT WORKED OUT FOR YOU! YOU HAVE CONVINCED ME TO TRY IT NOW.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

You can also use wax paper, I tried that for the first time last night and it worked out great

I couldn't find Viva towels anywhere and I tried parchment paper and it worked fine.. I only smoothed it on the top of the cake because I was adding cornelli lace to the sides..
Liz

I use this method all the time, with great success. Make sure you are using a crusting buttercream icing (like the Wilton Decorators icing recipe, only use all shortening for a good "crust"). After icing your cake, let sit for 10-15 minutes so the icing will "crust" (which means it gets a slightly hard surface on it). I then take a VIVA paper towel and rub sides, moving hand up and down, then in small circles, then gently lifting paper towel and moving on to next area. (You will need to get a new paper towel as the old one absorbs oil or icing particles.) I do my top in a side to side motion with my hand to smooth out. Finally, I let my paper towel "drape" over side of cake so that 1/2 is on top of cake and 1/2 is on side of cake. I then take the forefinger and middle finger on each hand, placing one hand on top and one hand on side of cake and rub the edge of cake between those fingers. Fingers will be placed in the position of an upside down "L" shape. This will give you a crisp, defined edge on you cake. Hope these directions are clear enough to understand. Good Luck if you try this method, I think you will like it.

thanks to all who are helping me get started. I'll be sure to post pics.

Try the Bounty with the different designs...gives your background a pretty effect and won't take away from your design.

I had no idea about this tip I guess I'm more of a noob then I tought! Thanks for the tips, I cant wait to try them.

What is it with this Viva paper towel thing? I tried it and all it done was take the icing off the cake.

You need to let the cake set for about 15 minutes before using the paper towel. Or you can use parchment paper and I think someone has even used fax paper.

Great explanation CIndyCakes! It's like giving your cake a little massage. Wax on, wax off. Cake Rookie, try it the way Cindycakes does it, using a Crisco buttercream and letting it crust a few minutes (but not too long or it won't work). I do this on every cake and it looks like you've used fondant.

I used the viva paper towel or parchment paper with a fondant smoother instead on my hands. I'm very heavy handed so I always leave finger marks.

CookieRookie, if you're not using a crusting buttercream icing, it will take your icing off your cake... you must use a crusting type of icing ... after you've final coated your cake, you have to let it crust ever so slightly and then rub gently with the Viva papertowel.. if you use too heavy of a hand rubbing, it will stick and peel your icing away from your cake ... practice this a bit and you'll perfect it.. it has worked great for me for years now and I wouldn't do it any other way