I have never done a cake using the stacking tiers, so this is probably going to sound like a crazy question to most of you!

When you do a tired cake and you use those rods (not sure what you call them) to lift the top layer from the bottom one, what do you use to support the rods on the cake? I don't know if what I'm saying will make sinse, but I hope someone will know what I'm talking about!

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

Connie

I believe that you are referring to the columns, and are asking about the dowels...here is an article on tiered cake construction that is very helpful -

http://www.cakecentral.com/article49-Building-The-Cake-Combination-Pillar--Stacked-Construction.html

Good luck!

Well, I looked at the link you sent me (thank you so much).

Do you have to have dowels going through your entire cake?

Connie

the dowels help to support the weight of the cake on a cake board....they displace the weight so to say.........if you didn't have them you would risk the cake underneath collapsing from the weight of the cake above.

When you are stacking a cake on top another one, do you need to have that smaller cake layer on a cake board, or does it just sit directly on the larger cake itself?

Thanks
Connie

depends on how big they are..........if you're stacking a 6" on a 10" I'd just go for it......but if it's larger......you would be better off putting it on a cake board......it's easier to cut and serve on separate cake boards anyhow!!!

I was just wondering what would be the best way to get the cake to that position without messing the icing up, or should you ice it after you put it on the cake.......I need so much help, don't I?

Thank you
Connie

Does anybody have any ideas on the previous post I just wrote about moving iced cakes to be stacked on top of another cake without messing it up, or just icing it while its already on the other cake?

Thanks
Connie

I always ice my cakes seperately and then stack.

When I need to lift the seperate iced cake, I slide an angled spatula under it until I have enough room to put my hand under it, and then move it to stack it. One thing I like to do is before stacking the cakes, once you put the dowels into the lower cakes, pull them back out of the cake about 1"-2" so they are sticking out of the cake. That way, when you put the next cake on there, you will have an extra second to get your hands out of the way. The weight of the top cake will push the dowels back down. Then add you border. I hope I made sense and that is what you were looking for. Good luck.

SweetArt, I am going to save that tip! I always manage to smush something when I stack cakes. I've always been able to fix it, but I'd love to just get it right the first time. Sounds like you've just given me the answer!
Thank You!
Bekah

Yes that is exactly what I was talking about, thank you very much on the tip about pulling the dowels out of the cake to give you a chance to get your hands out from underneath. I appreciate your help!

Thank you so much SweetArt!
Connie