All right, I know this is a ridiculous question but...

I'm making my first stacked cake (for my niece's first birthday) and I've read the tutorials. I bought the Wilton dowel rods. I stuck one in the cake to measure it. Then I tried to cut it.

And that's where I need help. What do you use to cut the dowel rods? I tried my Pampered Chef kitchen shears to no avail. Then I tried some really sharp floral clippers and managed to cut the dowel, but the end of it is all jagged where I cut it.

So my question is: How do you cut the dowels/ what do you use so that you don't have jegged edges? I don't want anyone to get a splinter in the mouth from a cake I made!

And my alternate question: If I can't get these dowels cut, will the cake be all right without any extra support? The bottom tier is a 10 in. round and the top tier is a 6 in. round.

Thanks for your help.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Hang in there! I have only done one stacked cake and ran into the same question. I ended up sawing mine off with a steak knife! I don't have much insight, but you could try sanding the end to get rid of the splinters. I don't know for sure, but the plastic dowels probably don't have this problem.

The cakes I stacked were the same sizes you are using, I don't think I would have stacked them without something for support.

I use lollipop sticks for support, much easier to cut. You can also use straws.

Thanks for your advise. I might have to try the steak knife tonight, as the lollipop sticks I have are too short for the layers.

I REALLY appreciate your help!

Get a good pair of pruning shears and keep them just for this purpose, they work fine. As for the splintered ends, when I have this happen I pound the dowel on a cutting board and that usually knocks them off. If not then take a steak knife and saw them off. Or you might get a small saw to cut your dowels. A trip to home depot is probably a good idea for you.... look around there and you will probably come up with something good. For the plastic dowels, that's what I prefer, someone said they got a tool at Michaels craft store that is meant to cut styrofoam, it has a wire that heats up by battery power and cuts the dowels really nice. I'm going to look for that. Hope my ramblings have helped some

chrisrich,
I just finished delivering a stacked 8 & 12" cake a few hours ago.
My trick to cutting dowel rods is to use a pair of pruning shears that I bought just for dowels and keep it in my cake supplies. If the edges are a little rough, just use a small disposable nail file to sand the edges and then give them a little rinse to get rid of the dust.
It works for me!!

Chrisrich,

I asked the same question awhile back. Someone told me to use an electric pencil sharpener to get the dowels perfect. I will be trying that this Monday. So I'll let everyone know how it worked out. Good luck!

This is a really helpful thread.

Tried it!!! Take a look at my post about it!!