My mom and I got a request for a topsy turvy cake for a 13th birthday cake. We've never made one and were thinking of purchasing the cake pan set.

I'm looking for some advice please. What are your thoughts? Do you prefer to cut your cake layers or do you prefer to use the pans? If you use the pans, do they use the same amount of cake batter as a regular layer? For instance, would a topsy turvy 8 inch layer use the same amount of cake batter as a regular 8 inch layer?

Thanks in advance for your help!! We're hoping to determine whether or not the pans are worth the expense.

I've only made one. I carved the layers; it was much easier than I thought it would be.

I do alot of TT's and only carve. I would not waste money on the pans. After the first one, you will find them easy to do.

Carve Its much easier than it looks. It seems so intimidating. But I carved mine Definitely try a test run

I wish I could remember which post I saw this in, but it was suuuuuuch a creative way to do TTs.

Tilt your cake as it is baking. You can tilt the pan in the oven using a crushed tin can or whatever else might be oven safe. By the time it's done baking, you've got yourself a lopsided cake! On purpose this time!

Definitely carve, it can be intimidating but once you do it once, you'll be amazed at how simple it really is.

This tutorial helped me alot with my first one.

http://www.mysweetandsaucy.com/2009/02/topsy-turvy-cake-tutorial/

I am going to try this out for one of my grandkids one of these days