gravity defying icing - help!

[Playduh]

I am trying to decorate a cake round the sides with minstrels. I don't want them sliding off, which is what is happening with my buttercream icing. Admittedly it's been quite hot the last few days, so the icing melted a bit - cue minstrel puddle.

What icing should I be using?

TIA

You need more sugar on it or proper butter.
Failing that, a different icing without butter. Or just take it out of the fridge at night.

Much more sugar in your buttercream but personally I would make a ganache. You need to spread the ganache on when it's nice and malleable and it will continue to set regardless of temperature (if the quantities are correct!).
When using a ganache you need a thin layer of apricot jam (heated in a pan). Leave that to cool and apply the ganache. Good luck!

Ooh, ganache sounds good. I ideally want something that'll take out a tooth

Can you point me in the direction of a reliable recipe?

Thankyou!

Ganache ratio chocolate to cream depends on what chocolate you are using - 1:1 with dark chocolate, 2:1 with milk choc and 3:1 with white.
Heat the cream until almost boiling then pour over the broken up chocolate. Leave a couple of minutes then stir well until it's smooth. It takes a few hours to cool enough to use, wait until it's peanut butter like consistency. I've never used jam under ganache, just slap it straight on.

Thank you thank you! Test kitchen this afternoon. Will try eat a few different versions!