I have had this dilemma for a while now and I need help. How high should a 2 layer filled cake be? Sould I bake 2 cakes in the same pan and stack them or should I just bake 1 cake and make 2 layers from it? What is the general rule or what do you guys do?

Thanks
Jackie

it depends on the height of the cake pan.

if you have a 2" deep pan, then bake 2 layers of cake and stack them. after filling and icing, the finished cake will be 4-5 inches tall.

if the cake pan is 3" deep, you can bake one layer and then torte it (slice it into more then just 2 layers) the finished cake should be 4" as well.

i know people that like a really tall 6" cake; for that you can either stack two 3" layers or three 2" layers.

I look at it this way: a 2-layer cake is however big you want it. If it meas torting a 2 inch layer only, then your 2-layer cake may only be 2 1/2 inches tall once you fill and ice. Personally, I prefer two 2-inch layers.

Yes, I agree. A 2 layer cake is however big you want/need it to be. I usually make a 3" deep cake and torte and fill it for my cakes. But if I want a taller look or need more servings, I prefer 2 2" cakes stacked.

Alright, for my round cakes, I use a 2 inch pan and bake 2 layers. I then tort each layer once. This makes the cake about 4 1/2 to 5 inches tall when completed.
On my 9x13 sheet cakes, I use a 3 inch pan and bake just the one layer. I then tort this once and it makes the cake close to 4 inches tall. Or even you don't tort, in my opinion the 3 inch deep 9x13 is a perfect size.