I'm doing my first stacked cake tomorrow. I am using bubble tea straws as supposts under each tier. I just rewatched SugarShack's stacking video and I completely forgot about the center dowel. She said to use a food safe dowel......the hardware store is my only option, is that going to be okay???? Also, I as using cardboard under each tier, will the dowel go through them without smashing the cakes underneath. I am freaking out now, I can't believe that I forgot this

The wooden dowels work just fine. I get mine at either Michaels or the home improvement stores or even Wal Mart. Measure the height you need to go all the way down through all tiers, then cut to the correct height. I sharpen one end to a point and use a wooden mallet to pound the dowel straight down all the way through. It won't smash the tiers and works like a charm.

KimAZ

thank you soo much. that helps a lot.

I use the pointed kabob sticks as my center dowel on 2 layer cakes.

Easy to find at grocery and cheap!