I've asked this question once before, and I didn't get much of a response, so I'm trying it again.

I'm making a topsy turvy cake for my daughter's birthday this week, and I'm needing to know what the best cake recipe for that type of cake would be. Does it have to be a good sturdy cake, like apound cake, or can it be anything (obviously not shortcake or angel food!)? Will an off-the-shelf cake mix work just as good? The only response I got said a Duncan Hines mix worked just fine.

What do you suggest? Please direct me to a good recipe on CC. Your help is much appreciated.

Also, my daughter has requested a chocolate cake. FYI.

For my carved cakes I use the Wedding/3D Durable Cake receipe found in the "most saved" receipes here on cc. I love this receipe. It's very good for carved cakes. I use chocolate cake mix, chocolate pudding mix and chocolate syrup in place of the water when I make my chocolate cake from this receipe. It's very good. I use DH cake mix when using this receipe becaue it's just what I prefer. I would not use a straight box mix for this cake. You are headed for trouble if you do You need a denser cake for carving.

Good luck