I am making a cake for a friends birthday tomorrow...just found out last minute they wanted ME to make it....(I'm just a beginner and very very scared! lol) I might even get paid for it!! (if it turns out! I have very high expectations of myself!! just ask my husband) anyways, simple question for you experienced decorators....how many boxes of cake mixes to fill a 12 x 18 pan? and what can I use for a heating core as I don't have one yet.....I heard you need one for this size pan....If anyone could help me I would really, really appreciate it!!!

THANKS!

Tammy

If this is a 1/2 sheet pan, I usually use two cake mixes and don't need to use a heating core. Good luck with your cake!

I use 3 boxes for my 12 x 18 and 2 mixes for my 11 x 15 so I can have nice full 2 inch tall cakes. A lot depends on how many cups of batter you get from your cake mix. If you have a flower (rose) nail you can turn that upside down in the pan. Be sure to grease and flour that just like the pan. You might need two in a 12 x 18 pan.

Hope that helps!

Well, you can get this information from the Wilton site, go to Cakes, Then Cake Preparation, then scroll down the page and it will state Batter Amounts.
Anyway, for a two inch cake, you need 14 cups of batter, for a 3 inch deep you need 20 cups of batter.
Most cake mixes yield about 4-6 cups of batter. Duncan Hines is about 5. I would use 3, for the 2 inch deep pan, but I would measure out the batter and 4 for the 3 inch pan.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

I don't use a heating core or upside down flower nails or Bake Even strips either, but some folks like to.

As I recall, I usually make a double scratch for this pan. I think i made it w/ mix once or so, and it may have taken 2 1/2 mixes. I might make extra, because you can always use left over batter for cupcakes. Better to have too much than not enough!

Your friends will love the cake, because they care for you! My cakes don't usually ever come out exactly as i had in my head. Just get a general idea of what you want to do, and see where the process takes you!

Every cake is a learning experience, successful or not!!

Oh, I've never used a heating core either. I might try one some time soon, just to see what happens. I read that you can use a wilton nail flat side down.

Oh yeah, if you want you can try lowering the temp on your oven by 25 degrees and baking it for a litter longer time. Several people here say this bakes great cakes without a heating core and also makes the cake more level. I haven't tried this yet but have read several posts here that say it works. I think I might try it next time to see if it works as well as others have suggest.

You guys are WONDERFUL!

THANK YOU for all of the great tips! I love that I can get advice right away from so many experienced people!

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!!!!

Tammy

I use 3 mixes, no nail or core amd bake at 325... Good luck

I use 3 cake mixes, a flower nail in the center and bake on 325 ... always worked for me