I need some help with the 3D Cuddly Bear cake. I'm going to bake one for a client, but I'm going to hire the pan. i was wondering has anyone baked this cake without using the heat conducting core. Because I'm hiring the cake I need to return the cake pan with the core the following day. Any suggestions?

The core doesn't stay in for cutting and serving. When you bake the cake, fill the cavity of the core with a little batter. After the bear cools, you remove the cake that baked in the core and you remove the core from the bear. Put a little icing into the carivty, put in the cake from the core, and fill the empty spaces with icing. Those are the directions from Wilton.

However, you can bake the bear without the core, and I suggest doing so. Turn the heat down a bit and check well for doneness. It makes a much sturdier cake.

Not to take over your post but I am making this cake also. Do I have to use a pound cake or if I just leave out the core will that make it strong enough to use a regular mix? If not is there anything I can do to a regular mix to make it hold up better for the b pan? Thanks

No, a regular mix will not be strong enough. This mold needs a very dense cake. Use the White Almond Sour Cream recipe (WASC) and it will be dense enough and provide enough to fill the mold. Here it is:

1 mix
1 c flour
1 c sugar
3/4 t salt
1 c sour cream
1 1/3 c water
2 Tbsp oil
2 t vanilla
1 t almond (can be omitted)


Bake at 325. This makes about 7 cups of batter.

My client wants a chocolate cake. I usually use Bakels Cake Mix, will this be sufficient or do I need to bake with another mix?

You can use a reg. choc cake mix and add a small box of choc. pudding and an extra egg and it will work fine. HTH

Personally, I have used the WASC and had no problem. That is what my penguin cake is made of.... Good Luck! Can't wait to see it!

To modify the WASC into chocolate, just use a chocolate mix, eliminate the almond, and add 1/3 c cocoa powder. Tastes great!

I use Pillbury cake mixes for mine and never had an issue. Maybe it is different when you only make them for home and they aren't transporting.