and I forgot to put the flower nail in the center. I've never made one without it because I've read here that it's a good idea on larger cakes...I have no idea WHY. I just do it because you all know everything and I know nothing... LOL..don't know why it slipped my mind this time. So my question is..What does the flower nail do again? Is my cake destined to be a failure because I forgot it?

Thanks,
Vanessa

The flower nail helps distribute the heat more evenly so the cake will bake in the center at the same rate as the outer edges of the cake.

Your cake is not a failure, I would just turn the heat down and bake a little longer. Maybe to 315 or so and for 10 or so extra minutes.

Don't worry, it will be fine!

THANK YOU!
I feel so silly now. LOL

i agree, or if you just put it in, you could spray the flower nail and ever so gently open the door ( a no-no, i know) and push it down it. but, the lower temp. .longer baking time should do the trick.

What will happen is the outside of the cake will be done, but not the center. Depending on how far along your cake is, i would try to put one in asap. I forgot to put my nails in once before, and just added them as soon as i remembered. It only had been in the oven about 10 mins though. If its starting to crust over and stabilize, try putting your nail in with the round on top instead of the bottom. You'll just be waiting and waiting for the middle of the cake to be done with no heat being radiated from the center. Good luck

I have never used a nail head in my 12x18 and never had a problem with them cooking properly. The outside never gets to done or anything like that.

I only use the nails for layers 16" and higher. Just baked an 18" tonight and used 2 nails, came out fine. If you bake at a lower temp you will have better results on larger cakes.