Make Buttercream So Mooth It Looks Like Fondant?

Decorating By dlphnmomva Updated 14 Jun 2014 , 7:38am by gr8 cake

dlphnmomva Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
dlphnmomva Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 7:31pm
post #1 of 16

I am very new at making my cakes, but i enjoy so much. however is there a tutorial or instruction on making butter cream cakes look like fondant? I see many cakes and people say its a butter cream cake, but it looks like fondant. i want to learn the techniques.

Thanks so much for all your help! icon_confused.gif

15 replies
ncjennings Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ncjennings Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 7:44pm
post #2 of 16




check this video out.....i found it interesting

abchambers Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
abchambers Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 7:51pm
post #3 of 16

Invest in a good scraper for the sides. Make sure your buttercream is thin enough (for the longest time I couldn't figure out why my BC was giving me a rough stucco look. Turns out, I just need to thin it out a bit).

The process I find that is easiest is: Apply a crumb coat, let it sit in the freezer for 10 minutes. Put on another coat, freeze for 10 min. And then put on a final coat and let it sit out in the open and crust for about 30 minutes. Once it has a good crust, I use a high-density foam roller (http://cakecentral.com/articles/126/quick-easy-smooth-icing-using-a-roller-melvira-method). Then I go over it again with a Viva paper towel, just to make sure.

And finally...PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!

KarolynAndrea Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
KarolynAndrea Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 8:21pm
post #4 of 16

Buy Sugarshack's DVD called Perfecting the Art of Buttercream! SugarEdProductions. com

juleebug Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
juleebug Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 8:25pm
post #5 of 16

I do not thin my icing at all. I use the Wilton buttercream recipe that replaces the butter with Crisco. It is the consistency of peanut butter, maybe even a little thicker.
I do a single smooth crumb coat, a thin coat if it's a light cake but kind of thick if a darker cake, like chocolate. I let it sit until it dries. I spoon my icing on, spread it and smooth it as much as possible with my spatula. Then let it sit for about 15 minutes, until the icing dries. I place a Viva paper towel on it and firmly rub a fondant smoother over the paper towel.
I am always getting compliments on how smooth my cakes are. I even had a client ask me AFTER eating the cake if it was fondant. She said it tasted like BC but she didn't think it was possible to get icing that smooth.
Hope this helps.

mena2002 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mena2002 Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 9:12pm
post #6 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by abchambers

Invest in a good scraper for the sides. Make sure your buttercream is thin enough (for the longest time I couldn't figure out why my BC was giving me a rough stucco look. Turns out, I just need to thin it out a bit).

The process I find that is easiest is: Apply a crumb coat, let it sit in the freezer for 10 minutes. Put on another coat, freeze for 10 min. And then put on a final coat and let it sit out in the open and crust for about 30 minutes. Once it has a good crust, I use a high-density foam roller (http://cakecentral.com/articles/126/quick-easy-smooth-icing-using-a-roller-melvira-method). Then I go over it again with a Viva paper towel, just to make sure.

And finally...PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!




thumbs_up.gif

Rose_N_Crantz Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Rose_N_Crantz Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 9:31pm
post #7 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by abchambers

The process I find that is easiest is: Apply a crumb coat, let it sit in the freezer for 10 minutes. Put on another coat, freeze for 10 min. And then put on a final coat and let it sit out in the open and crust for about 30 minutes. Once it has a good crust, I use a high-density foam roller (http://cakecentral.com/articles/126/quick-easy-smooth-icing-using-a-roller-melvira-method). Then I go over it again with a Viva paper towel, just to make sure.




Why so many icing steps? I just spread a little buttercream around on any cut edges of cake (where it's most likely to crumb) and then ice the cake. Let it crust for a few minutes and then use Viva.

Jeepgirl73 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Jeepgirl73 Posted 23 Feb 2012 , 9:43pm
post #8 of 16

This is my favourite tutorial on smooth buttercream. http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-682196-0.htmlIt's by user Tutugirl

I have read others and I have DVD's but this tutorial was so simple and the first time I read this thread my buttercream came out perfect. I live in Canada and we don't have Viva papertowel so I just use parchment paper to smooth

ncjennings Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ncjennings Posted 24 Feb 2012 , 1:44am
post #9 of 16

This may seem a stupid question but doesn't parchment paper work better? Seems that Viva would leave little papers on the frosting.....does anyone know for sure?

AmysCakesNCandies Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AmysCakesNCandies Posted 24 Feb 2012 , 1:49am
post #10 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by ncjennings

This may seem a stupid question but doesn't parchment paper work better? Seems that Viva would leave little papers on the frosting.....does anyone know for sure?




You have to use unprinted Viva brand. It will not leave any lint.
I use one of two methods- viva (if I want a rolled edge) or hot spatula (if I want crisp edges)

buxomlisa Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
buxomlisa Posted 24 Feb 2012 , 4:11am
post #11 of 16

I would love to try the viva paper towel. I'm having an awful time getting frosting to smooth. I've tried the hot spatula and the parchment paper and I'm still left with bumps. I've just started a little cake business on the side and I'm starting to get orders and interest in wedding cakes so I definately need to practice smoothing icing because not alot of people want fondant. I live in canada so I can't find unprinted viva paper towel. Is anyone willing to send me a roll? I'll pay for it plus shipping


Lisa

dlphnmomva Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
dlphnmomva Posted 28 Feb 2012 , 8:41pm
post #12 of 16

thanks everyone has been very helpful...im going to try a few of these techniques and see how it goes. I would really love to achieve the smooth look. icon_biggrin.gif

Debbye27 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Debbye27 Posted 28 Feb 2012 , 8:58pm
post #13 of 16

you can buy viva online- I just went to walmart, but you can shop around...for better deals.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=viva+paper+towel&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

Rose_N_Crantz Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Rose_N_Crantz Posted 3 Mar 2012 , 12:40am
post #14 of 16

I use Viva too sometimes and I've tried parchment and copy paper. I've found that those papers were too stiff. if there was a crease in it, it would show up on the cake. The Viva was much easier to mold around the cakes, especially the edges and corners.

MarianInFL Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
MarianInFL Posted 3 Mar 2012 , 12:59am
post #15 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeepgirl73

This is my favourite tutorial on smooth buttercream. http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-682196-0.htmlIt's by user Tutugirl

I have read others and I have DVD's but this tutorial was so simple and the first time I read this thread my buttercream came out perfect. I live in Canada and we don't have Viva papertowel so I just use parchment paper to smooth





I agree! This is so simple, and really works. One of the things this helps with is even icing. I would always have way more icing in one section of the cake and too little in another. I love this method.

gr8 cake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
gr8 cake Posted 14 Jun 2014 , 7:38am
post #16 of 16

A[SIZE=7][/SIZE] what is viva? :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:-D:grin::-D:grin::D:-D:grin::):-):smile:

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%