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size/porportion of tiers? help

post #1 of 13
9/26/12 at 8:42pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone,

I am planning on trying something new for my grandmother's 80th birthday cake. I like the way a 3 tier cake looks when the middle tier is extra tall. I want to make sure that I get the porportions right.

I found this cake online (see below). The design is nothing like it, but I want my tiers to be the same porportions as the cake below. What size pans and how tall are the tiers?

http://labellatorta.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=83853116
(I couldn't paste the picture, so I pasted the web address instead, just click)

I was thinking of doing a 12" by 4" cake. Then two 10" cakes, so 10" by 8". And on top an 8" by 4" cake. Are these sizes/heights right to achieve this look?
I am asking because with the stacked cakes I've made so far, I have been suprised by how little difference there is in size once they're decorated and stacked. I guess I haven't developed a good sense for sizing cakes.

Please give your input. I want this to be the best cake I've made so far. It's special and I don't want to mess up before I even start decorating!
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post #2 of 13
9/26/12 at 8:54pm
Hard to tell, but it could be a 10 x 8 x 6.
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post #3 of 13
9/27/12 at 5:44am
Thread Starter 
Anyone else?

Is there a 2" difference between tiers? A 3" difference?

Is the middle tier twice as tall as the top and bottom tiers?
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post #4 of 13
9/27/12 at 6:11am
Agree with CWR41, it could be 10'' + 8'' + 6'' (and 4'' + 6'' + 4'' tall tiers)
Paula
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Paula
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post #5 of 13
10/5/12 at 6:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmbitiousBeginner

Anyone else?



Not cool.
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post #6 of 13
10/5/12 at 7:05am
Thread Starter 
I apologize. I wasn't trying to be rude.

When something is hard to tell, it is a good idea to get different opinions. And posting a new response also gets by question reposted under recent questions and increases the chances of getting various opinions.

I was also asking about the height of the middle tier compared to the bottom and top tiers. Since the single response didn't address that part of my question, I wanted to ask if anyone else had any suggestions.
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post #7 of 13
10/5/12 at 7:20am
I would say 10, 8, 6 , I think it would look chunky with a 12 as the base.
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post #8 of 13
10/5/12 at 7:29am
I wouldn't consider your response rude, Ambitiousbeginner. It certainly didn't appear as if you were insulting the response that CWR41 gave you - Since you were asking about the tier height more than anything else, I can understand wanting a little more input. IMHO, it looks like the pan sizes that they used are 2" difference in diameter and the middle tier is probably 2 cakes stacked up so that it is twice the height of the other tiers. I would guess the bottom and top tiers are normal 4 - 5" height cakes and the middle tier is 8"-10" tall. Hope that helps.
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post #9 of 13
10/5/12 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 
If it was 12, 8, 6 I agree that it would definitely look chunky. But if it's a 12, 10, 8, wouldn't it look porportional? I'd rather make the smaller sizes to get the right look, but if the larger ones also work than I would prefer those so that there's more cake.

Also, would the tall middle tier look too tall if it was 8inches high, or is 4",6",4" standard?

Thanks.

Like I wrote in my original post. I don't want it to look wrong before I even start to decorate.
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post #10 of 13
10/5/12 at 7:35am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Dani1081
(Your response hadn't posted when I posted my previous response.)
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post #11 of 13
10/5/12 at 7:42am
You are certainly welcome! As long as you stick to the 2" difference in pans, you will be proportionate, even if you start with a 20" diameter with an 18 and a 16, it will still be in proportion and look fine. In the end, you have to have enough cake for your guests, so while a smaller cake might be cuter, it's not practical for 100 guests. You will be fine - have fun with it. The only real rule for the tall cakes is to make sure they are secure - they should have a cake board in the center and be dowelled in the bottom half to support the top half. I run a dowel down through the center sometimes too just for added peace of mind.
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post #12 of 13
10/5/12 at 8:41am
I would go with the 6-8-10 proportions, doubling the heigh of the middle tier (8" tall), only because I prefer a smaller top tier. I think the picture is a 6-8-10, possibly 6-8-12, with a double height middle tier. Good luck!
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post #13 of 13
10/5/12 at 11:20am
The cake in the picture is 6-8-10x4-6-4.
www.superstarpastrydesign.com
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