Newbie Needs Some Help (Longish)
Decorating By caryncorn Updated 15 Aug 2006 , 2:38am by NEWTODECORATING
Hi. I'm Caryn and I'm a newbie on the site and to cake decorating. I am hoping someone will take some time and give me some advice. Here is the project I am doing and my current thoughts:
I am making a cake for 2 little girl's birthdays (joint party). The cake I want to make is an 11X15 sheet. I am thinking it will be easier to use 2 layers rather than to tort a single cake...correct?
I want to put 2 of the mini 3d bears (wilton) in the top 2 corners.
Now, my list of questions:
1) Do I need to do any reinforcements between layers of a cake this size? I've mostly worked with rounds and ovals under 10"
2) Any suggestions for the best way to attach these bears? Would you suggest dowels in the area where the bears will be placed?
3) would you attach the bears at the location or at home? I will have to drive the cake about 10 miles and it will have to be carried through a very large building.
4) Depending on how you answer question 3....how do I transport an assembled cake of this size without risking damage and how do I keep it fresh if I decorate the night before?
5) If your advice would be to assemble the cake at the location...how do I avoid damage to the 3D bears whilst putting them on the cake?
Any help of how to go about this would be greatly appreciated. This is definetly the most complicated cake I've had to deal with because of the transportation issue. I know that you pros think I'm silly!
One final question:
would you use a flower nail as a heating core on this size cake?
Thanks so much!! Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Caryn
Just wanted to say hi, you will learn so much here! Welcome to your new addiction 
When I make a sheet cake I make to layers and tort each layer for 3 layers of filling.
No you do not need dowels to support the layers.
Yes, you need to put dowels under the bears and if you are transporting them I would put a dowel through the center of each bear to go through to the bottom of the cake for stability.
I put 2 flower nails in my 11 x 15 cakes...you place them upside down in your pan evenly spaced (be sure to grease them) and pour the batter in the pan.
Good Luck!
Jacqui
Hi Caryn!
Let me see if I can answer a few of these for you.
How much cake do you need? 2 11x15 stacked will feed alot of people!!
I would assemble at home. I would set the bears on the cake and run a dowel the length of the bear and into the 11x15
Freshness should be fine if done the night before.
I use a flower nail in my 11x15.
Most important (or at least high on the list) make sure you have a good sturdy cake board expecially if you stack them.
And here reciently I have started using a rubbermaid tote for cakes that won't fit in a regular box. I put the lid down first upside down and put the cake on it then use the box as a lid. It is more protected that way and a little more sturdy too for transport. remember to put a grippy shelf liner down between the lid and the cake board and on the floor of your car for the box to set on.
Sorry if someone else has answered this. While typing DH just came in with the groceries and I had to help put them away.
awesome idea with the rubber maid tote! Thank you!
I think I have a sturdy enough cake board. It's a heavy cardboard. But, would it be advisable to glue 2 together for extra umpf?
I am feeding around 50 people. The little girls are going to take the bears home to enjoy later so we aren't including that in the servings.
Is one flower nail suffecient as a heating core? I am assuming 2 boxes of mix for one 11X15 pan, right?
I use one flower nail for a heating core with no problem. You will need alot of umph for that board. Any flexability will lead to cracked icing. And two cake mixes fit perfect in an 11x15. You can even do two different flavors in the pan at the same time.
So, should I set my sights lower and make it a single layer? And maybe do some cupcakes incase the cake starts to run short. I definetely don't want to set myself up for failure. Would you still run a dowel through the bears with a single layer (I'm assuming this is just to keep the bears from toppling off)
Thanks again for all your help.
Sorry it took me so long. I needed to look up a few things...
A 11x15 stacked feeds 70 people if cut in 2x2 pieces. That is a pretty good hunk of cake there to considering it would be 2x2x4. You might want to rethink your sizes. Single layer 2x2 feeds 35. So your somewhere in the middle. Do you happen to have the large Wilton cupcake tree. It holds 38, but you don't have to fill every space. Sometimes I fill every other one and use crinkle paper to fill in the empty spots.
And yes dowel thru the bears even if one layer of 11x15. Those little buggers tend to run away.
reinforce that board...last thing you want is it to give at all...had a bad experience with this with a 2 layer 11x15 cake. I use one flower nail for that size pan, and dowel rods are your friends. I too, would assemble at home and have started using totes as well when a box isn't big enough. shelf liner is also a life saver to keep things from sliding around. good luck
you are a wealth of info...I'm glad I found this site. One last question and I think I've got it. Would you tort the single layer for some added height or just leave well enough alone?
I don't have the cupcake stand, but since Hobby Lobby has the Wilton 50% coupon, I might be headed that way this week.
I think the cupcakes with a little teddy bear head will go nicely with the teddy bear theme and will cover out eating needs.
Sounds to me like your getting this under control!! Take a look at my pics if you want to see what I mean about the cupcake tree.
You can tort and fill if you want. I usually don't fill my sheet cakes. Just because most people don't ask. If you decide to keep in mind a few things. They tort easier and handle easier if a little frozen. Make sure you cut even. Do you have a leveler? And last but not least, make a good stiff BC dam before you fill.
AND I want pics of this masterpiece 
Yup, I have a leveler, but I'm thinking I'm not going to bother torting. I also think that I'll plan on the cupcakes for the adults and just carry them in a tuperware container.
This party isn't until September 16th but I'm already totally stressed about the cake...lol. I think I'll do a trial run this weekend....just not all the icing detail. I'm sure my hubby's office will appreciate a nice sheet cake to eat on Monday.
I'll post a picture if it's worthy.
Good luck and pm me if I can help with anything 
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