Well it finally happened. I knew it would happen some day, but I just didn't know when.

My 3 tiered, square cake that I was delivering @ 5:00 for a 7:30 wedding tonight, collapsed in the back of my Jeep.

I came home, scraped it all down, pieced it together, changed the design & took it to the wedding. I was NOTHING like the bride requested & it looked like a Kindergartener finished it. My back was KILLING me & my arms feel like spaghetti, and my insides are STILL shaking. I still feel like I may throw up. I left the bride a note to call me when she gets back from the honeymoon & we'll discuss it.

I can't get the pics to attach, so I'll post them in my photos later...I'm going to go take a long hot bath.

Sorry this happened. Do you know what cause the collapse? I'm guessing from title it was your dowels?
Enjoy your bath!

I feel your pain, in the back and arms that is! This is my worst nightmare. I hate to obligate myself because I can never tell what will happen, cakes are so unpridictable! It's not your fault so try not to loose sleep over the ordeal. Don't stop the sweetness I'm doing my first 3 tierd stacked wedding cake in November, now I'm Scared have any tips for a first timer?

Ok, before leahs get to say it , should you have the chat with Leahs about SPS?? (you will have to have it with her cause I am too new to give any advice) She LOVES it and anything that Leahs loves I am all for have you seen her pics??LOL!!
Sorry this happened to you, I think it is all of our worst fears! Try to have a good one!

I am sorry your cake had problems. I am waiting for the first time I have a dissaster. For those of you doing your first stacked cake, I want to say good luck. Even though it seems scary at first, it isn't that bad. I never use anything but wooden dowels.

I use 4-5 in each layer that has something stacked on it. I usually make sure they are even with the top of the icing so the cake will be sure to sit on the dowels and not the cake itself. Usually to make travel safer, I don't stack over 2 or 3 layers. Then I put a center dowel down the middle.

Also, make sure the cake has cooled completely.

Before the disaster...

THE DISASTER!!

After the disaster...

. . . my sympathies on the disaster . . . but I will say your recovery is admirable . . . hopefully the bride will be understanding . . . and I hope you are feeling a bit better after your bath . . . clearly you did all you could to rectify the situation . . . kudos (and hugs) to you . . .

My sympathy for the cake disaster, but I must say that you did a fabulous job of fixing it!!

The topic of your post is SO funny. I cannot tell you how much I freaking hate wooden dowels. I've had two disasters with them-the first one I didn't know what happened, but wit the second (which, thank God I had time to fix), I finally discovered the stupid dowels had shifted.

I'm on the SPS bandwagon now. SPS! SPS! SPS!

Sometimes, though, if the cake is only two tiers (Like a 6 and , I just use the large plastic tubes....

I'm so sorry it happened to you! Anyway, you fixed it beautifully.
If you don't mind, was it a scrach cake or a boxed one?
Were the dowels cut all the same height?

It was a box mix w/an extender. All the dowels were exactly the same height...but one of them shifted (the best I can tell).

And, I think I could have done a better job on the "save" if I had, had enough time, but I got back to the house @ 5:30 & the wedding started @ 7pm!!!

Excellent recovery!

::slides into thread::

So, any questions about SPS? There's a sticky at the top of the How Do I? Forum with pictures and instructions.

SPS what is that.

SPS = Single Plate Separator.

Did you look at the sticky?

So sorry this happened - but great save and I actually like the redesign better!

I use Stress Free - and they are stress free for me. I have two sets plus one extra 10" ring so I can do two weddings if needed. They are fabulous but they are pricey. I would not want to deliver wedding cakes without them though. I do not worry about cakes collapsing or shifting. I generally do not stack more than 2 on top of each other either - Better safe than sorry I always say.

I hope the bride is a happy camper about it. Her cake looked pretty - not what she wanted but still striking. Kudo's to you for the fast redo!

Nice recovery...


SPS...SPS...SPS

read the sticky, buy the system...deliver with confidence...

you did a great job on both....original and fix....

Wow, you did a great job getting that cake back together.


-Debbie B.

awww...i'm sorry this happened to you. the cake really did look nice both ways.

the only thing I want to ask was if you sharpened your dowels? I always sharpen the bottom tiers dowels if I am transporting it assembled.

I hope that another method works for you. any updates on what you did for the bride?

Ok, first I want to say that your recovery looks great! Also, I was wondering what is the SPS system and does anyone have a link for it?

I have to read the SPS sticky...I hear rave reviews about it. But in case you don't have the SPS in the future...use BOBA/BUBBLE TEA STRAWS!

If you like the plastic tubes, these are just thick, sturdy straws. I think the reason these and the tubes work so well is because they are hollow. You can still hammer on sharpened dowel down the center of the cake...but definitely consider the straws.

Here's the link where I ordered mine from, but check your local asian food market, if you have some near you, they are not expensive.

www.bobateadirect.com

By the way, both versions of the cake were beautiful. You did a really nice save. Hope you're feeling better by nowl

I think you did a fantastic job fixing the cake.

I have been doing wedding cakes using the wooden dial rods for well over 10 years now and never had a problem. However, a few months ago I had one fall, a tremendous disaster. It's been months and I'm still sick in my stomach over the whole ordeal. It does make me feel a little better to know that so many others have been through it. I'm dying to know more about the SPS or SFS systems. Can anyone give me more info or direct me to a site? PLEASE !! Thanks so much!

NICE SAVE!!
Duff uses the bubble straws too. And they are not that expensive I heard.
Jen...