I just recently made my first full sheet cake. I used two half sheets and pushed them together. It came out great, however when I tried to move the cake, the weight caused the two half sheets to pull away from each other causing a small crack in the buttercream down the center of the cake. Has anyone ran into this problem, and is there a way to avoid this? Maybe I just needed to use a sturdier cake board.

It is your cake board, not enough stability!

Probably, I just used a cardboard cake board. What do others use?

Plexiglass or plywood make good support boards underneath the cardboard.

I use plexi-glass!

You can also buy the cake drums or make your own with several cake boards hot glued together, then covered. Depends on the size of the cake your making.

When I did my full sheet of Batman, I used cardboard and plywood.

Also, my 16 sq. I use cardboard and plywood.

Yeah, this is a lesson I had a hard time learning. I couldn't figure out how grocery stores could put a 1/2 sheet cake on the same flimsy cardboard I was using and it held up perfectly fine! Then I finally realized that if you don't have two layers or filling, you are also using less frosting, therefore your cake would be light as a feather. Someone around here likes to say good cakes aren't cheap, cheap cakes aren't good. I say if your cake weighs less than a box of kleenex, why bother.

did you "glue" the two half sheets together with icing?
And sometimes also if the icing is too thin then it will crack too.
The other ladies who posted also have a point. It could just be the support system (not enough board support) or one of the other points that I brought up. Just remember that full sheet cakes are very very heavy and quite awkward.

Yes the cakes were glued together with icing, and my buttercream was pretty stiff. I am thinking it was just too heavy of a cake for the cake board I was using. I will definitely use a sturdier base next time.
mamafrogcakes when you hot glue boards together, how many boards do you use and what do you cover them with?

By the way, the cake turned out fine, I just patched it up a bit. This was my first paid cake order!

Your cake is lovely! Really pretty colours and lovely job too! Yes, you need a more stable base, at least three cardboards is a good idea, or a cake drum or the plywood just to insure there is no give.
Hugs Squirrelly

I use the thick foam board from Hobby Lobby, works great!!

~luraleigh~

P.S. Your cake is lovely!!

I use the thick foam board from Hobby Lobby, works great!!

~luraleigh~

P.S. Your cake is lovely!!

Thanks for all the info! When you use plywood do you send it with the customer on plywood? Or just use it while working?

I cover the plywood with decorative paper and cover that with clear contact paper.

Yes, I send the board with the understanding that the board comes back or they have to pay a non return fee.

I haven't had any problems with them returning the sheet or round plywood.

A lot of us charge a refundable deposit for the plywood board to make sure that we do get it back.
Hugs Squirrelly

Thanks again for the great info!