I have a couple of questions. I purchased the SPS System. The 12 pack. And some plates. I used it for a wedding cake but the pillars seem so much thicker than the dowels that I was scared to use them so I just used the regular wooden dowels. And used the pillars for decoration on the cake. I was scared that the filling and cake and frosting would get distorted some how. So I guess my first question would be is it really ok to just push them down without having anything bad happen to the cake?

Another question is I didn't see any way for a middle dowel to go right though all the cake layers so I assume a middle dowel won't be needed for this system, is that correct?

And last question, can you use this system on one of those whimsical topsy turvy kind of cakes?

Of course you just jam the plate and leg assembly into the cake. That's what it's made for. Did you look at the pictures in the instructions?

There is no need for a center dowel. A center dowel is false security anyway. If your cake starts going sideways, the dowel will stay firmly planted in the bottom board and tear right thru your cake.

If your topsy turvey construction is so that each cake bottom is actually flat, then yes SPS works fine. If you're doing the topsy with styro wedges, then no.

hi, thanks for the lovely tutorial!

I think i get how it's done, but i'm not sure what is the point of the center hole in the cakeboard on the bottom of each layer? We dont end up poking anything through there..right?

The hole goes over the peg in the plate. Otherwise it won't sit flat.

I just received my order yesterday and couldn't quite figure it out either until I actually "saw" it. The peg in the middle of the plate is on the TOP surface, so when you place your cake that's sitting on a cardboard, the hole that you've previously made in the BOTTOM of that cardboard will rest on that peg. I haven't used it yet so I can't comment on how well it works, but there certainly hasn't been any indication on here that anyone is unhappy at all with it.

I was surprised at how bendable the plates were though......I can't imagine how they could hold up to multiple tiers being placed, but I guess if cardboard can.....! We shall see!

Callyssa,
Every cake on my website was constructed with SPS. I haven't used anything else for years and years. Next week I'm doing a 6/9/12/15/18 with a huge additional tier at the bottom. It'll be SPS all the way.

Okay! That seals it then! I knew how much you stood behind it, but I didn't realize how long you'd been using it. I guess I really don't have to worry about my little 10" and 6" then, huh?! Thank you again!

I don't want to sound like an idiot, but I order the plates separately, and a bulk pack of columns, right? Nothing extra to order? For example, a cake with 6", 8" and 10" tiers get the corresponding 3 plates, and one bulk pack of 12 columns, correct? I think I'm right, but don't want to foul it up.

That's exactly the order I just placed. Shipping was kind of high so I really should have gotten extras of everything, but my dh and I had JUST the night before had the discussion that "so, you should be pretty set on buying all your caking supplies now, right?" !!! So, to appease him, I just got one of each that I immediately needed, and when I need more I'll just have to place another order.

But yes, you order your plates individually and the pack of columns come with 12. Oh, from Global they aren't listed as GC-4's; they are the 4" greek columns, but then when you receive them they have a sticker that says GC-4's or whatever it is.

Thanks...I am browsing Global as we speak.

And last question, can you use this system on one of those whimsical topsy turvy kind of cakes?[/quote]

Yes. The system is used to make a topsy turvy cake which can be found at http://www.cakecentral.com/article1-instructions-for-building-a-whimsical.html

Compare Oasis Supply's prices and shipping also.

PS. GC (in GC-4S) stands for Grecian Column.

how can i support a cake that will be the top tier- it's the size of 3 soup cans stacked on each other.. it's gonna be a lighthouse..

i did a trial yesterday, and 2 sit on top of each other nicely, the 3rd starts making the light house lean to 1 side..

if SPS can be used, which do i order? The smallest plates i found were 6" which is bigger than the cake, but i could potentially cover it with fondant and use it on the bottom as a base..

(another option i considered was make the top 1/3rd styrofoam so it doesnt add weight..what do you think?)


thanks for your help!

No, SPS isn't appropriate as a base plate. I think you're gonna have to dowel and use styro where you can on that one.

6" diameter is the smallest SPS plate. Sadly, my beloved SPS doesn't work for everything.

Hey leahs...apparently my PM inquiries and your responses got through despite error messages on both parts.

Thank you very much for your help with the SPS.

Zounds! I have a really big (500 servings in one cake) cake for tomorrow and I needed an 18" SPS plate. That thing is big! And takes 5 legs. I'd used a 16" plate once before and it also uses 5 legs. I also ordered a 15" plate. It's handy that they come in odd sizes.

Hi LeahS,
You are really great to offer up so much help with SPS. I'm curious about trying it but I keep wondering how it can make a big, tall cake stay together in transit. How tall would you say that little peg is? It doesn't seem big enough to hold much of anything in place.
And what you said about a center dowel being false security and ripping through a cake - have you had that happen to you?? That is scary.

The peg is just big enough to work.
Actually it only goes into the cardboard.

I've been an SPS convert for years, so no, I haven't had the center dowel tear thru a cake. But I've read **several** stories on here of it happening. Those people use SPS now.

Dang Leahs...how much is that thing gonna weigh? Lol

Well, I ALWAYS say, "you can stack whatever you can lift."

Ok...I want to see that ginormous cake when you get it up on your site.

leanne's got it!

leahs....thanks so much for posting the SPS tutorial. I'm a visual kinda person so the pics really help! Guess I'll be buying some new things...woohoo...like a kid in a candy store or I should say...cake supply store!

nutty, remember that SPS is designed to be disposable. If youre selling your cakes, build the costs of the materials into the cost of the cake. If it's for family or friends, then get your stuff back. It is reusable for a couple of cakes, usually.

Can I buy the pillars and plates at hobby lobby or michaels or my local cake supply store? or are the ones on sugarcraft the only ones that work well?

SPS is manufacturered and sold by BakeryCrafts. You can purchase it online from Oasis Supply and GSA. A few local cake supplies stores carry it. I would not think that craft stores such as HL or Michaels would carry this product.

Please note that SPS is very different from the hidden pillars by Wilton.

Thank you so much Leahs!

Thank you for all this info.