AI am making a 3 layer (6", 8", 12") topsy turvy (fat daddios mad hatter pans) cake for a 16th birthday... I am a cookie person, but accepted the challenge as it is for my best friend's daughter. Any suggestions on cake recipes, a good buttercream to use under my fondant? Also, will the layers need any support between them? I'm not sure how heavy it will end up being. Thank you in advance for your help and guidance... I truly appreciate it! :)

wow--yes the cakes will need support

i'd suggest a firm cake like a pound cake for example and an american buttercream

it's scary that you're making an advanced cake without any basics of cake making

maybe peruse you tube and this cake board for tutorials to give you a heads up on your endeavor so you nail down some of the basics

then come back and get some more focused answers

best baking to you

AYes go to Google type in "how to make a topsy turvy cake utube " there are lots of videos on utube. Starting out making a topsy turvy cake for your first ever cake is alittle crazy ( just my personal opinion). And there are layers of cakes and tiers of cakes, the different size pans that you use create "tiers" to the cake not layers, layers are the same size cake stacked on itself. Hopefully you will find a video that will help you out tons than you can come back here with more specific questions. HAPPY BAKING.:-D

I have heard the topsy turvy pans do not bake even.   I would put a flower nail in the deepest part of the pan to help the cooking process.   And bake no higher than 325 or you may dry out/over cook the shallow part of the cake/pan.   

AI know this doesn't use your cake pans but I just love the look of this cake.

m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=vbVj1G0cSzE&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvbVj1G0cSzE

You can buy topsy turvy cake stands and use just regular cake pans. www.caljavaonline.com/cakestudy1.htm

AThank you all for the input... Yes, I agree it is crazy!!! lol. :)

My first cake was a mad hatter cake for my daughter's 3rd birthday (she's now 8), I only do this as a hobby and for family and friends, so there was no real pressure (lol). I used this method http://forums.egullet.org/topic/71115-demo-topsy-turvy-cake/?pid=969488, actually this is the tutorial I followed back then, lol.

But definitely use supports. Just make sure you start everything in advance and give yourself plenty of time. That was probably my big mistake. Mine came out ok, definitely not the best cake I've decorated, but not that bad.

But not only was it my first time making a mad hatter cake, it was also my first time using fondant and making cake toppers. If you haven't rolled out that big of a piece of fondant, practice rolling it out before hand.

My daughter loved it, so that's all that mattered, lol.

Good luck.