When you do two tiered cakes, do you always dowel and use cardboard, or whatever kind of supports? Or is a two layer cake ok without supports?

Dumb question, I know.

Not a dumb question at all. Everyone has their way of doing things and it's great to hear ideas about different techniques. That's how we all learn neat little tricks.

I personally always dowel my tiers and place them on cakeboards, even cakes that are only 2 tiers high.

A 2-layer cake is fine without supports.

A 2-tier cake, which is usually composed of two 2-layer cakes, needs supports.

Always use some sort of support... you MIGHT be okay without it, but do you really want to risk all of your hard work over something so simple?

If I stack cakes, I will put the top cake on a cake board and use dowel under it.

It its a really small top layer 4-6 inches I don't though.

Sometimes its tempting.. but do you really want to risk your cake having the dreaded buldges or worse yet falling and breaking apart? TO MUCH TIME In my cakes to take a chance.. SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT... SOUND LIKE A BRA SALESPERSON HUH... HAHAHAH

Thanks everyone!! I always do use supports, but I was wondering if I needed them. Sounds like I do!

Thanks!!

I always keep in mind too that its not just support (although that's the most important) but its also serving. Its very difficult to serve a cake that is four layers high with nothing seperating the layers! Even in 3D or carved cakes I try to seperate every 4-6 inches for support AND cutting purposes.

Very true Kitagrl,

I have made mini tiered cakes, and although I put a straw in there, there is no cardboard between the layers and it can get very messy and not pretty at all.
So, I can only imagine what it may be like in a regular sized tiered cake. Yuck!