Tiered And Stacked Cake Construction

Decorating By Bettye Updated 10 Feb 2005 , 4:30pm by SquirrellyCakes

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Bettye Posted 9 Feb 2005 , 8:34pm
post #1 of 4

I have plans to do a 12, 10 and 8 inch cake. For the cake boards, do I need a 14 inch heavy duty cake board for the 12 inch cake, a 10 inch cake board for the 10 inch cake and a 8 inch cake board for the 8 inch cake? Do I also use separator plates in addition to the cake boards?

For stacked cake construction - would you just put in the dowel rods for support and then put the 10 inch cake on a 10 inch board and use no separator plated? Then decorate around the cake board do the same for the 8 inch cake put it on an 8 inch board and support the cake with the dowel rods then decorate around the cake.

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SquirrellyCakes Posted 10 Feb 2005 , 4:06am
post #2 of 4

Hi there. You need a 1/2 inch plywood base or a heavy duty cake base to be able to support the weight of these cakes. Generally when you do this, then you would also board your 12 inch cake. I take it the cake will be stacked at the reception hall? Then boarding your bottom tier is a good idea. I generally double or triple board each layer of a stacked cake and the boards have to be completely enclosed in a greaseproof material like the Wilton Fanci Foil so that the cardboard doesn't absorb moisture from the cake and icing and warp. SO you have the 14 inch. 1/2 inch plywood base. Then you have your 12 inch cake on doubleboards of 12 inches, then you insert your dowels etc., you have icing sugar on top of the set icing before putting your 10 inch double boarded cake, dowel it, icing sugar the top and then your 8 inch cake. You don't need to dowel it unless there will be a topper.
No, most folks don't use separator plates in addition to double boarding cakes in a stacked cake although it can be done, but there isn't much point.
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Bettye Posted 10 Feb 2005 , 4:23pm
post #3 of 4

Thanks so much Squirrelly. I was just a little confused on when not to use the separator plates in additon to the cake boards and I will cover the boards with the fancy foil. This will be my first time doing a wedding cake and it is for my niece, so thanks for all of the detail information. I will construct the cake at the reception area.

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SquirrellyCakes Posted 10 Feb 2005 , 4:30pm
post #4 of 4

I know, it all seems a bit overwhelming because it is foreign. It starts to make sense when you actually do it. There is the odd person who does use the separator plates for a stacked cake but I think mainly the reason most people don't is because the little scalloped edges make it a little harder to cover the seam lines with borders, plus the base of these plates have the ares for pillars to be attached so you realy have to push them into the cake and it mars the surface of the tops of the cakes. So separator plates are used mainly for a plate and pillar design or in a Garden Stand or the Candlelight stand.
Good luck with your cake!
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