I need some ideas on how to build this cake....I have two 9 X 13 cakes to work with. Never stacked before will need instructions for that!

Please Help! Need it for Sunday....nothing like leaving to the last minute...

I'e never done one like this but if I were to attempt this one I'd do this: Use two rectangualr pans equalling at least 2 boxes of cake mix. Cut them in half after they cool. Level all 4 pieces. place on piece on the bottom and ice the top. Place another piece on top. Cut a cake board to measure a little smaller than the next piece. About 2 inches in from the edge place four drinking straws for support in the bottom two layers. Put the cake board on top and place the next layer. Ice and finish with the final layer. Get a dowel rod and hammer through all the layers to the bottom through the middle. That *should* hold it.

For the arms, legs and other add-ons I'd use fondant.

Good luck! I hope I've helped!

Thanks Krissy_kze!

What can I use for a cake board? I don't have any cake stores where I live. All I have is Walmart and grocery stores.
Just to make sure I have this right and I don't mean to sound stupid but I want to be very clear...
I am going to cut the cakes in half then put two pieces together with icing inbetween the two, put 4 drinking straws for support than add the cake board and the next two layers???? Is that right?

By the way your cakes are GORGEOUS!!!!

The Walmart near me carries cake boards in the craft department.

I'll have to look but I have to tell you I'd be suprised. It is literally the worst Walmart ever! There are isles and isles of boxes not unpacked, these boxes are blocking merchandise that is on the shelf so if you need to get at it you can't! I would think it's a fire hazard....but it never changes!
I will look tomorrow

Thanks for the info Tinascakes!

Can anyone tell me if I have krissy_kze's instructions right???

Thanks!

Sounds like you have it right. Just make sure you don't forget the dowel through the whole thing. I did a 4 layer and the top 2 slid right off. Of course it was 100 degrees that day, so it's not too surprising.

For your cake boards, just use several layers of regular cardboard hot glued together with the channels going different ways if you can't find them premade. I would use at least 2 layers, 3 would be better.

my walmart carries boards too, but only the 11 X 14 (i think that is the size). Hopefully you can find one.

not sure on how to do the cake.

for all the details, I too would use fondant.
Can't wait to see a picture of your final cake!

I REALLY don't mean to sound stupid but I've NEVER stacked a cake before so by dowels do you just mean the wooden ones you can buy at the hardware stores? I'm just wondering how sanitary that is?

Thanks alimonkey!

It's good to know that I can use cardboard but again the sanitary thing? You must wrap them in foil or saran wrap? I hope I don't sound too stupid!

They should sell dowels at the walmart too. Wooden or plastic. There about $1.99 or more there. Wrap the board with tinfoil. Saran wrap might make the cakes slide. The board between the 2 cakes will keep the cake from falling through the bottom cake. That's what the board is for.

Don't think you'll find cake boards at Wlamart, Alberta Walmarts do not carry near what U.S. Walmarts do, we don't have a cake area in the craft or housewares depts. If you don't find boards I would also use cardboard (heavy) but cover it once you put the layers of cardboard. I buy the plastic juice box straws either rubbermaid or the cheap brand which is sold at walmart for $0.98, they are stronger than drinking straws so they give better support to me.The above instructions sound right to me.

If you don't have fondant or don't use fondant then I would use dowels for arms and legs and cover with icing. For the feet you could cut shape from mini loaf or cupcake cakes or use chocolate swiss rolls. The hands could be cut out of cookie dough or even simpler would be to make Rice Krispie cake or even buy a couple as that is all it would take from the local conveniece store and shape hands and feet from them then ice. I would personally do the dark areas with a very dark chocolate icing rather than try to make black. The pupil of the eye would work well as a Junior Mint. Little squares of white Chocolate would make good teeth.

Hope some of this helps !!!

If you have no luck at Walmart, try the grocery store bakery. I've bought Cupcake containers (the nice plastic see-through ones that have a cup for each cupcake so it doesn't slide/touch!), boxes and cake boards from them! They're usually pretty good about that

Where in Canada are you? I know Bulk Barn carries Wilton stuff too

I can't wait to see your cake! This looks so cool!

Mirjana

Thanks Freddie!

What about the big dowel I need to put through the whole cake? Could I just use a wooden one? Should I cover it in something for sanitary reasons?

mvucic,

the problem with our grocery store bakeries is all of the cakes get shipped in already cooked and decorated. They're frozen. Talk about flavourful.....how long has it been frozen??? who knows??? Nothing like a fresh cake! Believe it or not we don't have an actual bakery!
Okay as I'm typing this I phone my sister in law who works at one of the grocery stores and I find out they do have cake boards and dowels!!!! YEAAAAAAA!!!! happy dance, oh happy dance!

by the way I'm in northern Alberta 5 hours from civilization!

Yes, definately use a wooden dowel to go through the whole cake but it is best if it is a dowel meant for food use and not a crafting one from the hardware store. No it doesn't need to be covered if it is a dowel meant for food purposes.

Family to the rescue again !!!

Love to see that happy dance !!!

If you don't have access for purchasing cake boards, you can make you own. Get a cardboard box (maybe from Walmart since they have so many stacked in their aisles there) and cut out two of the size board you need. Tape them together around all the sides and cover with contact paper. By putting 2 layers of cardboard together, it gives it strength, and the contact paper will prevent it from absorbing grease from the icing which could weaken the board. Good Luck with your cake!

A dowel from the hardware store should work fine for the center dowel. I've heard people say they make the cake taste like wood, but they're the only ones I've ever used. I use hardwood ones though, not pine - it might be the sap in pine or something. I don't know. Anyway, if you're worried about it, you can probably just wipe them down with rubbing alcohol or vodka, which is a good idea for sanitary reasons anyway.

I never thought about saran wrap making things slide. I used contact paper in my one fiasco, maybe that contributed to it.

gibson, so glad you found cakeboards and dowels! That's awesome!

I used to live in Southern Ontario, just west of Toronto, but now I'm in Seattle! And, boy, do I miss Bulk Barn! I stock up every time I'm in Ontario

Good Luck with the cake! Don't forget to post the picture!

Mirjana

My dad lives in London, and every time we visit I make sure to get to Bulk Barn at least once. What a great place! I wasn't doing cakes the last time I was there, though, so never noticed any cake stuff. Will definitely look next time.

My "vacations" usually consist of me making 2 or 3 cakes, since every time we visit there is always a special occasion!

I've used bulk barn for everything from premeasuring icing sugar, to getting those few Wilton that I just don't have time to drive to Michaels for

I miss home

Another question....it's about the dowel that is to go through the entire cake...how does it go through the cake board without wrecking the whole cake? I doubled my cake board so it will be really hard to go through...should I sharpen an end? I hope that's not a stupid question....

Yes, sharpen the end of the dowel. Then you will need to lightly hammer the dowel into the cake. It will go into it. Just hammer lightly~