I have been searching the web for a foolproof method of leveling cakes for a while and have had no luck. I have tried the Wilton 'Ultimate' Cake Leveler (terrible), the Wilton Small Cake Leveler (worse than terrible), plus other methods on YouTube which I'm sure are great, but don't work for me. I can't afford an Agbay so I came up with a method that DOES work for me.

This method uses the cake pan/tin that you baked the cake in as a guide, and while it is foolproof, it does require a certain amount of trial and error to set up. Worth it though!

I have no doubt this method has been around for centuries and everybody but me uses it, but I've never seen it before and wish I had!

I made a YouTube video (filmed by my son) and you can see it here.

Thanks for the video! I always cut the top off while it's in the pan, I don't raise it up with anything, it seems to work ok for me....BUT that is a wonderful idea!!! I never torte because I am scared it won't be straight/level...not anymore, THANK YOU!

I just watched your video. I really liked it. It will be so helpful to many of us. Thank you for your time.

Loved your tutorial! You made it look so easy. Thanks for doing it.

That would would brilliantly for me if my cakes ever rose up out of the top of the pan! A lot of my pans are 3" high, so I rarely get the opportunity to slice right there and then...

I've definitely seen people who level their cakes while it's in the cake pan, but never thought about torting this way, what a great idea! Now to find things that will lift the cake perfectly...

Thanks for posting!

thanks for the video.

WOw, I love it! While I have read that cakes can be leveled in the pan, mine do not always come up to the top or over the pan to do that, so this method would work well for me!! THanks [/list]

Thanks for the video, great way to do it.

Brilliant! thanks for the video

This is awesome! There are two things I have struggled with: leveling and torting and getting my icing the correct consistency. Thank you so much for sharing this. I will try this with my next cake!

thank you!

I too always cut the top of the cake in the pan like this...but never thought to raise it to torte it! Genius! Thank you!

I couldn't play the video on my phone, will try a laptop . Thanks for posting anyway.

woaaaaaaaaaaooooooooo great idea