How To Get Perfectly Smooth Buttercream Icing

Posted 3/7/12 • Last updated 3/7/12 • 73418 views • 91 comments

This tutorial shows you step by step how to frost your cake in buttercream icing, and smooth it to a perfect finish. Commonly referred to as the "VIVA Paper Towel Method"
After so many of you asking how I do it here it is....

List of Materials

VIVA® Brand Paper Towels (will not work with other quilted brands)
Decorating Tip #18
18 inch Icing Bag
Angled Spatula
Fondant Smoother (aka fondant paddle)
VERY HOT Water

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With a tip 18 and an 18 inch bag pipe up and down the side of prepared crumb coated cake

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Continue all the way around the cake.

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With a large metal angled spatula dipped in VERY hot water
Remove spatula from water
dry the spatula and go around the cake...in sections till is all done

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With the smooth side of a viva towel rub the cake all the way around pushing any air bubbles up.

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With the smooth side of the viva towel round the edges with your fingers.

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With the viva towel and a fondant paddle smooth the side of the cake.

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With the tip 18 fill the top of the cake.

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With a VERY hot angle spatula smooth the top of the cake.

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Continue the until top all done with the hot spatula.

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With the smooth side of the viva towel and your hand smooth the top and the edge blending the edge well.

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With the smooth side of the viva towel and the fondant paddle smooth the top and the sides one final time.

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Comments (91)

auntginn 3/7/12 at 5:40pm

Thank you for sharing. Will definately be trying that out on this weeks cakes.

sandyvrc 3/7/12 at 6:07pm

what is the recipe for that buttercream? my buttercream sticks to the paper towels, i have tried to let it set (15 mins) but it still doesnt work

pc2420 3/7/12 at 6:19pm

Do I have to wait till butter cream crusts ? I've tried this method before and I have same issue as Sandyvrc, paper towel stuck to the butter cream :( , or could it be the buttercream recipe I am using ? Yours is so smooth , I had made rosets and dots and stars just to cover my mess I would love to be able to get smooth like yours :) looks perfect .

rosa369 3/7/12 at 6:51pm

I love the finish product. Your icing looks so white even that you used butter. It looks like if it all shortening. Did you add white color? It looks so pretty!