OK so my brother wants a raspberry and lemon filled cake for his graduation. Im making 2 - 12 x 18 cakes and torting them but with the layers and the weight of the cake was wondering if supports (straws, dowels etc) would be needed to keep the layers from sliding off ? The party is June 30 so it will be hot. Im using the WASC recipe, buttercream icing, and fillings from a sleeve. I also had 2 options in my head as far as how to do this which do you think will be the better of the two ( servings arent an issue, either way there will be pleanty of cake!).....
A - 4- layers..... cake , rasp filling , cake , butter cream, cake , lemon fill , cake.
or
B - 3 layers.... cake , rasp filling , cake, lemon filling, cake. And use the left over layer for cake balls. 
This is my first sheet cake so any and all replies are greatly welcome.
I can't help you on the supports, but I can cast my vote.
I vote "B." - That's a pretty thick cake with 1 1/2 sheets stacked. Then you'll get just the lemon and raspberry filling tastes without the interference of buttercream. (not that there is a thing wrong with buttercream. 
)
Good luck on your brother's cake! Sounds deeeelicious no matter what you decide. 
I made my daughter's shower cake and it was cake-filling-cake-filling-cake-filling-cake. I put it in the refrigerator until I left for the shower and it held just fine, no dowels. If you're afraid of it sliding, maybe you have too much filling in there?
Your "A" is how I torte all of my cakes, not matter what size they are. As long as you pipe a good, stiff dam and use no more than a smear of filling, the cake should be fine. If you're worried, just hammer 3 or 4 bamboo skewers through the cake into the cake board. Doing three layers won't solve the problem because the buttercream layer isn't the one that's slippery. 
IMO 4 layers is a little much for a 12x18. Those are not easy cakes to deal with when you are talking about torting and filling. I would vote for the 3 layers and some yummy cake balls!! I have done a 3 layer 12x18 before and did not dowel. But the cake was also indoors in a cool room. Doweling wouldnt hurt as long as you let the person who will be serving know ahead of time.
I vote choice B for the stacking. I don't THINK you should have a problem with sliding if the b/c dam is high enough, however, if you are "paranoid" like I am....dowel or use straws and then you can enjoy the party without worrying about "the SLIDE factor"! LOL
Beth in KY
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