I'm kinda new to cake decorating. I've been baking for years but never had a problem deciding what kind of cake pan is best for decorating. I'm currently taking the Wilton Course 1 class and will be presenting my first decorated cake this weekend. I've always bought just the cheap round 8 or 9 inch pans like at Walmart but Wilton has the deep pans. We don't have to make 2 layer cakes in class so I was planning to buy the Wilton 8 inch deep pan. My question is if I purchased two and made a cake from like a box mix would there be enough for each pan? Crazy question huh

The Wiltons 2"pans are deeper and I always use 2 cake mixes but I like mine full although you don't want to overflow them when baking so I always have a lil left over. I imagine most use 1 cake mix and ice and fill them makes them just fine. Depends also on if your filling etc. So its really up to you if you want a really nice high cake or your going to fill. Good luck in your class!!! HTH

Chippi

Everything you ever wanted to know to make your 1st stacked/tiered/layer cake:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-605188-.html

The (linked above) Wilton cake preparation guides give the recommended batter amounts by pan size as well as baking temps. and times.

The WASC recipe also included above will give you a tad over 7 cups of batter (using DH white cake mix) so you'll have the recommended 3-1/2 cups per pan (if using 8" pans).

A discussion of home use 1-1/2" pans vs. 2" decorator pans:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-611752-.html

HTH