ok, i am just using this pan for the first time, i have already mixed my batter and was just re-reading over the instruction and at the botton it says that with this size pan, the baking core is preferred. has anyone used this pan and NOT used the core? i had no idea i needed it until now because the instruction were not where you could read then until after you bouth the pan!
thanks, jennifer

The flower nail will work fine for that size!

HI!

I don't use a heating core in any of my cakes. I just bake them at 325 over a longer period of time and take them out when there are still some crumbs on the the toothpick. Never had a problem yet. You could use the bake even strips too. They do work quite well.

Good luck ,

the flower nail? how would i use it? just place it in the middle of the cake pan flat side down. only one? and the only one i have is a small one, would that work?

Yes, just put it in there upside down. You can prepare it as you do your pan so it will come out easily. I always forget too and never have a problem.

The bake strips are made to help bake a more level cake, not to ensure that the center is done. I haven't used those forever! I've got a pretty good handle on how high to fill the pans now, so i rarely get much of a hump.

thank you so much, i am going to go do that right now! thanks

I just made my first large tiers for my wedding cake this last weekend- a 12" and a 14" tier. I did not use a heating core, just the baking strips, which for a beginner like me are a miracle- no more wasted cake crumbs! The lady at our cake supply store told me that the heating core was not necessary, just bake at 325 for about an hour- she was right all of the tiers turned out perfect- I am so excited to decorate such nice, level cakes! Just my 2 cents.