I really could use some good CC advice here!!! It seems every time I try to stack and carve a cake it slides and or collapses. This time I was trying to carve a dog cake, I torted the first 4 layers, put in supports (boba straws), placed another cakeboard on top, and repeated. The cake was only 6" in diameter, so I thought this would be plenty strong. I was using the WASC recipe. I didn't chill the cake again after I torted and before I carved, so maybe that was part of my problem? FYI, the cakes had been chilled overnight, but not frozen.

Any advice would greatly be apprecaited!

Thanks,
Deb

how many straws did you put in? can you take a pic and show us so we can see placement and amount?!

What kind of filling did you use? I limit my carved cakes to buttercream or ganache fillings. Any other type of filling can cause sliding, especially since you'll probably be carving away the buttercream dam.

Also, have you tried carving it before you fill? You can carve everything, separate the layers and then fill and stack.

Sorry, I can't take a pic for you. It was so wrecked I had to toss the bottom half. I only used two straws in the bottom 4 layrs since it was so small in diameter. Do you think I should've only used one or maybe 3? I only used one through the top 4 layers though since it was smaller in diam.(maybe 3-4 ") due to the carving. I just tried to space them evenly, and not too close to the edges. When I noticed it had started to lean I tried putting a skewer through the whole thing, but that seemed to make it worse. The part I had done didn't even include the head....it didn't hold up that long. ha ha

I was using a crusting buttercream between the layers and for the crumb coat.

I haven't tried carving first and then filling, maybe I should give that a try.

Thanks for your help! I am determined to do this!!!

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Thanks Leily and mammawrobin! I really appreciate you advice

I was going to be adding a head on top which is why I added a straw in that top section. I just didn't get that far because it started falling apart before I had the chance.

You are exactly right Leily....it did start leaning to one side! Now that I think about it, that only makes sense it would lean one way or another without a 3rd or even 4th support. I guess I was a bit worried about using too many and weakening the cake that way? So...I should never use less than 3 supports, even if the cake is small in diameter....lesson learned!!! ha ha How can you tell if you are using too many supports and weakening the cake?


Yes, I did cut the straws after it was iced, so I don't think that was the issue. I really think it must've been the lack of support (straws) Good thing I am only making this for fun and not as a gift.