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top of cake

post #1 of 13
2/21/05 at 2:05pm
Thread Starter 
icon_smile.gif Hello, this maybe an ignorant question, but I would like to bake a tasty cake and would also like for it to look nice. How do I get a cake to be flat on top so that I can decorate it nicely? I've been told to just flip it upside down, but it still has a slight curve on top. How do I make it so it can look as pretty as the store bought cakes? Please help. I would love to bake a beautiful cake for my husbands birthday. Thank you. Elaine
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post #2 of 13
2/21/05 at 2:20pm
If it's level it should be pretty flat-and if you need to do a touch more icing in one spot to make it look more even-I do believe we have all had to do that at one time or another-or put your decorations-depending on what it is-on that spot-maybe the more experienced decorators can share their secrets...I am sure you will do fine-it is made with love and that is the main ingredient!!
What you do may be a "little thing" but "little things" add to alot!
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What you do may be a "little thing" but "little things" add to alot!
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post #3 of 13
2/21/05 at 2:26pm
Thread Starter 
It will definately be with love. Thanks for the advice.
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post #4 of 13
2/21/05 at 2:43pm
Elaine,

To level the top of the cake, you will need to remove the crown in one of two ways--you can level it with a serrated knife, or you can use a cake leveler which you can purchase at Michaels. Let your cake cool about an hour before you try to level it, take your serrated knife and cut across to remove the crown or use the cake leveler and adjust it to the height of the cake and you use a sawing motion to remove the crown. Once you have removed the crown, turn the cake upside down so the bottom of the cake will now be the top of your cake. This way you'll have less crumbs and a more level surface to decorate. Good luck. icon_biggrin.gif
Live each day like it was your last one!
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Live each day like it was your last one!
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post #5 of 13
2/21/05 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
I had know idea there was such a thing as a cake leveler. I'll have to get one. Thanks so much.
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post #6 of 13
2/21/05 at 4:42pm
Elaine,

Calidawn just gave me a tip & I'm sure she wouldn't mind me sharing it w/ you also. Look at Cali4Dawn's profile & go to her website. You will see all her tutorial's. It has one about leveling cupcakes. She said to use the same thing on cakes. Give it a look see! thumbs_up.gif She's really very talented & has a lot of wonderful tips! Good luck! ~Tina~
"Learn from a turtle... it only makes progress when it sticks it's neck out"
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"Learn from a turtle... it only makes progress when it sticks it's neck out"
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post #7 of 13
2/21/05 at 5:00pm
The next item you purchase after your mixer and pans is a cake leveler icon_lol.gif
I could not live without it...I use for both leveling and splitting my layers...
In less than a minute you've leveled and split a 2" cake.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get!

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Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get!

www.cakeobsessions.com
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post #8 of 13
2/24/05 at 1:21pm
I own a cake leveler and never ever use it. I use my bread knife. Faster and sturdier. IMO, don't waste your money- buy another toy instead. They are cheap though, if you really want to try it.

Also IMO,The best way to level a cake is the board method tcturtleshell mentioned. Yesterday I made a cake that did not rise above the pan, so I couldn't use that method. I toll it out of the pan and placed the board on it anyway- no pan to protect it... worked like a charm!!
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post #9 of 13
2/24/05 at 2:32pm
Have to agree wiht Godiva..couldn't live without a my leveler. I have found another use for it too! If I am making fondant/gumpaste flowers with a wire stem, I just bend the end of the stem and hang it from the bar handle on the leveler and my flowers dry without touching anything! icon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gif
Whatever you do, do with all your heart!
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Whatever you do, do with all your heart!
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post #10 of 13
2/24/05 at 4:34pm
I am also a cake leveler fan! I can't cut straight with a knife. I bought the smaller size one and now am wishing that I had purchased the larger one and just have one leveler to use for all cakes.
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post #11 of 13
2/25/05 at 6:32am
I also use both cake levelers that I own (big and small). I also found a method to help with getting cakes to bake level that does not involve using bake strips. (I could never keep those things pinned together. icon_mad.gif ) Preheat your oven to the temperature that you use to bake at. Take a 2 quart saucepan and fill it with water and bring the water to a boil. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, remove it from the stove and place it in the preheated oven on the bottom shelf. Wait 5-10 minutes before placing cakes in the stove to bake. Keep the saucepan in the oven while baking your cakes. The boiling water creates a 'poufbox' effect and helps the cakes to rise up nice and level.
I use this all the time, and it works great. thumbs_up.gif Once in a while I get a cake that does not want to rise nice, but most of the time it works great. Really works well with cupcakes too.
"To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask? ~ John Rohn"
"Action is the foundational key to all success. ~ Pablo Picasso"
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"To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask? ~ John Rohn"
"Action is the foundational key to all success. ~ Pablo Picasso"
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post #12 of 13
2/25/05 at 6:36am
FYI...That method is used for cheesecakes as well. The steam is supposed to keep the cheesecakes from cracking! icon_wink.gif
Whatever you do, do with all your heart!
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Whatever you do, do with all your heart!
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post #13 of 13
2/25/05 at 6:44am
I will have to remember that for next time I make my secret family recipe for cheesecake....mmmmmm I need to make that soon, it is soo good.
"To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask? ~ John Rohn"
"Action is the foundational key to all success. ~ Pablo Picasso"
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"To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask? ~ John Rohn"
"Action is the foundational key to all success. ~ Pablo Picasso"
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