I want to make the "gift cake" and want to know if I need to insert dowels into the bottom layer? I am planning on using BC icing, not fondant. And, I'm a little confused on the stacking process. Do you use a cake board for each layer and that board rests on the dowels? Or is it optional to use a board/ leaving you with dowels in the bottom layer and then placing the second layer on top of the dowels...no board. I think I'm just confusing myself. Please help. Thanks A BUNCH!!!!

Hi There! Welcome to Cake Central!

There are many helpful articles on cake decorating in the Articles section of this website. Here is one on Tiered Construction

http://www.cakecentral.com/article49-Building-The-Cake-Combination-Pillar--Stacked-Construction.html?osCsid=46b91af925012edb2a76faaed414e685

HTH!

Mirjana

Dont worry I confuse myself all the time. I'm sure someone here can help you.

Good luck

i think you have to have the cake board. The dowels need something to rest on or they will just pierce the cake above it and defeat the whole purpose of using dowels in the first place. So, yep, dowel the bottom layers and put the other cake on a board (if you don't want to board to show i don't think it would hurt to have it be a little bit smaller than the cake) not much though only bout an inch circumference. That way you can unstack them when you are ready to serve. but the board won't be showing on the outside of your cake. I think that's what your concern is right?

You really need to use the cake boards under each tier, that will help keep it from collapsing. It also helps when you go to serve the cake, you can actually remove the one tier if you want. Good luck

Thanks so much for the information. When I get this cake done, I'll be sure to post a pic of it.

Thanks Again!!!