This weekend I decided to try to make the 3-D bear using the Wilton 3D bear pan. 1st I couldnt get the sides to fit snuggly together. I had to use one of the Hubs plyers to fix the pans. I then filled the pan, inserted the heating core and baked it for more than an hour. I followed the instructions to unmold the cake. Once the cake was unmolded and i went to remove the heating core, the face of my bear broke. i am attaching a picture of my finished product. I ended up doing his face freehand. Please send me any suggestions that any one may have for making this type of cake.

Thanks

Denise

Opps, my picture did not attach. Its too big. Once i figure how to make it smaller i will post. Thanks.

I am now attaching the picture. Please let me know what you think.

He turned out fine, I can't tell that the face broke.

If you don't want the heating core in the bear once he's decorated you're best of baking without it. They're really supposed to be left in but you can bake without it too.

looks perfect!! i dont see ANYTHING wrong!!!

Looks beautiful to me. I think you did a wonderful job.

It looks good.

It looks fine to me - can't tell anything broke on the face.

He's very cute, BTW

ouch! sorry to hear that I had the same trouble with that pan, the bear cracking on the core after baking and cooling. I found it happened more when I tried using different versions of a choc butter cake, but the betty crocker pound cake mix worked much better. I also cooled the bear with the back pan still attached and laying on it's back. I also found that I had to let the cake completely cool before chilling or freezing. Your cake did turn out cute!

Thank you guys for the great comments and tips. I think that next time Im just going to bake without the heating core.

Thanks again.


Denise.

hi again, i don't reccomend baking the bear cake without the heating core, you cake will not bake evenly and the according to the box instructions you leave the heating core in as a support. good luck!

Although, I have this pan, I have not done yet. So this might sound stupid. Are you to leave the heating core in after the cake has cooled and your ready to decorate. THis is not feesible when giving the cake to someone else. I also can't imagine not using the core, because I use nail or core for regular cakes, let alone 3D shaped ones.

not a stupid question at all yes, that is what the 3-D pans intructions reccomend, the ones I have when i did do one for someone other than close family I simply required an equipment deposit for the core like I do for tiers and pillers

I've done that bear several times. Fill the core with batter (3/4 full), It will overflow when baking. When you are letting the bear cool, sit him on his back and take the front off and the core out. Take the cake out of the core and let it cool on its own. After 15 min put the front back on the bear, flip him over and take off the back to cool for another 15 min. Keep doing this until he's cooled off. When you go to decorate, take the top inch off the cake-core, put filling or frosting in the cavity or around the core, and put the core back in the bear. No equipement return needed, easy as pie... or cake... whatever.
HTH
Super cute, by the way.

edit to add:
After you take the cake out of the core, if your bear's tummy is caving in with no support, stick the core back in him to cool. then he retains his shape while he's cooling off.

I was just looking the the Wilton forum and a lot of people had the same thing that happened to me happen to them. Some of the girls said to use a pound cake batter and add instant pudding to the batter (about a cup some said). Others said not to bake with the heating core, but the downside to that is that the bear has to be baked at a lower temp for a longer period of time. I think that my bears face broke because I left the heating core in while it was cooling. Im going to attempt to make another cake soon, and I will let you guys know how it tuns out.

Thanks again for the suggestions and comments.

Denise

I juust ordered this bear so Im so happy to see all the useful tips. Also you cake came out great ! The bear is super cute!!