I'm going to be making a surprise cake for my moms retirement party and I want to make a two tier cake. I know I have to put dowels in the first tier to support the second, but do I need to put in a center dowel through the whole cake? Or is that only for three tiers and above? Also, where do you get your dowels? Thanks!

You probably don't have to but I do it anyway just to make sure nothing slips or slides--especially during delivery. I use Wilton plastic dowels and get them at Michaels or Hobby Lobby...and I think even Walmart has them.

If you will be transporting the cake assembled, I'd use the center dowel.

You can buy long wooden dowel rods at your local hardware or hobby stores.

Thanks for the help!

Personally I wouldn't bother, but I always decorate with ganache under fondant and that makes for a very stable cake.