I don't know if its the way im making it but it always tastes too buttery or too sweet to me. i don't know if maybe i just dont like it or what. i like very vanilla tasting icing is it just me or butter cream doesn't taste good?

Although people's tastes are different, I think a lot also depends on your recipe. I really like the recipe I use. It's the Very Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream on here, which i flavor using vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract.

http://cakecentral.com/recipe/very-vanilla-swiss-meringue-buttercream

I got a few comments about my buttercream being too sweet. I added a 3rd stick of butter and now no one complains. Who's going to complain about too much butter?!?

MyDiwa...do you use 1/4 cup of vanilla bean paste for that recipe?

My recipe for SMBC is slightly different:

3 Cups sugar
1/12 Cups egg whites
2 lbs butter (8 sticks)
1-2 Tbl vanilla

I get raves about texture, taste and the fact that it's not too sweet. Leftovers freeze well.

Good Luck

I think everyone has different opinions when it comes to buttercream. Some people like it more buttery and some people like it sweeter. I personally don't really care for buttercream.

As has been said, everyone's taste buds are so different.
The nature of b'cream is to be sweet.
Most recipes don't use enough flavoring so the 'fat' - usually Crisco - is overwhelming.
If you post the recipe we might be able to help you adjust it or come up w/a different one more to your liking.

I make an all butter American Buttercream but I use half unsalted and half salted butter as well as adding some lemon juice along with the vanilla. The salt and lemon helps to balance the sweetness.

Ok thanks...I thought the paste was much stronger than regular extract, so 1/4c. seemed like a lot.

I love buttercream! There are so many ways to make it and I think that is why I like it so well. One way that has a great and unique flavor is using creme bouquet. It is very hard to find so I found a recipe that I use. 1 TBS lemon extract, 1 tsp almond extract, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp butter flavor. Mix all of these together and then take 1 tbs and add it to your buttercream. It is simply delicious! But everybodys taste buds are different! The only person that I know that prefers regular buttercream is my husband!

This buttercream is delicious, I would cut down the sugar by 1/2C or more (to taste). http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2008/03/vanilla-bean-buttercream-frosting.html