I have a request for a cake in the shape of a softball. I do not have a ball pan and really cant afford one right now. I am planning on using a stainless steel bowl I have. Will that work? Also do I need to use a heat core? I have never used one. How do you fill the whole left by the core? The bowl is so deep that the ole toothpick method for checking for doneness wont work how do you ensure the middle is completely cooked?

you can use your bowl to bake in. i dont use heating cores, but do use rose nails which work as well.

get something longer to test the cake with, a sweker or a proper cake tester. at times i have just used a sharp knife as well. but it will take a ong time to bake, so just be prepared to wait!
xx

You can use a skewer to test for doneness.