I've read several threads on here about using the flower nails to help cakes bake in the middle. I have an 11x15 cake to make tomorrow morning and I was wondering if I could get away with using 2 flower nails (one in the middle of each half) instead of the conductor that I usually use? Is the conductor still the better way to go?
You can use both nails if you want, but even one will be successful!! The flower nail works great!
Good luck!
Angie
Hi
I never heard or read anything about flowers nail in cakes ... 
I don't make big big cake very often but occasionnaly ...
I would like to know:
1- On what size of cakes you put the flower nail ???
2- When do you put the flower nails at the middle of baking ??? If it is at the beginning, how can it stand up ??
Thanks a lot for your answer !!! I think I can go sleep because I have already learn something today !!!
I use a flower nail when I bake my 11x15 and all other cakes. It is use as a heat conductor and draws the heat to the middle of the cake baking it more evenly.
For 11 x 15's I use just one.
Some people don't use anything for baking their large cakes, and that works for them. For me, I'd rather use one--makes me feel better. 
For sizes, it really depends on the person's preferences. I use them in 12 inch rounds and bigger and my 11 x 15 and 2 in my 12 x 18. You put them in the pan just before you put the cake in the oven and put it in upside down, so the head of the nail is resting on the bottom of the pan.
You put the flower nail upside down so it stands up easily. I've put it in after I've put the batter in the pan, or before. Either way works. But definitely do it before you start baking 
And make sure you grease and flour it just like you do your pan. And the recommend a "heating core" aka flower nail, for any pan bigger than 10" I think.
Hi Ladies!
I just baked an 8" and 10" round yesterday to be used for sculpted cake. I used a flower nail in both for the first time and they came out PERFECT! I am very impressed with this method. I made small oval cakes for Wilton course II last week (the ovals are maybe 7or 8 by 5ish) and should have used the nail in those - they came out soft in the middle.
To use the flower nail, invert it so it rests on the flat side. Then pour your batter in. (Make sure you have greased your flower nail just like the pan - I forgot and cake stuck to one of them - not bad, but could have been avoided.) When the cake is done, flip it onto the cooling rack and simply lift the nail out like pulling out a thumbtack.
I have learned so much on this website - I am VERY grateful to all the people I have gleaned information from!
Anne
I made 2 layer 11X15 cake last week and I used the flower nail and it worked ok, just have to make sure that you wrapped the nail with parchment or wax paper prior to inserting the nail and allow cake to cool before taken out the nail. You might get a little hole from the base of the nail, but once you flip the cake over carefully you won't be able to see the hole. As for the 2nd layer same thing once you level and tort your cakes you won't even notice that there was even a hole in the cake from the beginning. Also, you might want to set your oven at 325 degrees and just eye ball the cake cause you want to make sure that the center of your cakes are done and not just the outter side. Hope this was of some help, but I'm others can pipe in with some more helpful information and ideas.
Thank you so much for all your help. My computer is messing up and won't send me the notices when replies are posted so I just now saw all of the responses. I will definately try the flower nail in the cake tomorrow morning!
After fiddling with the strips, I am going to try the flower nail. What size flower nail do you use or doesn't it matter? Thanx
After fiddling with the strips, I am going to try the flower nail. What size flower nail do you use or doesn't it matter? Thanx
I use the strips and my flower nails. I use a size 9--the smaller one. Just cause I don't use it for making flowers and it leaves a smaller mark on the cake (not necessarily a smaller hole).
Thanks Missey, I was born in Rochester many, many years ago and raised in Detroit. I carry a lot of fond memories of Rochester. Most of my relatives worked either at Bausch and Lombe (sp) or Kodak.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%