I am making a 2 tiered (12 in. and 10 in.) round cake. Is it necessary to dowel the bottom tier? and if so, how many would you consider using.
Thanks!

Yes, I use 4 dowels. Make sure they are even.

I would use 5 (4 around and 1 in the middle)

I think a center dowel going all the way through should be different than one you put in the center for support on the bottom tier only...obviously one would have to be off center a bit. I have never done a dowel all th way through on the two tiers I make and not had a problems.. wonder if I should? Yikes haha.

I normally put at least 6 dowels in a 12" layer to support a 10" tier on top.

Edna's video say one dowel every two inches.

Cargal,
I put one in the middle of the large tiers. I never put a dowel through the whole cake.