Graduation Cake - Qs And Honest Advice
Decorating By ANicole Updated 2 Jul 2007 , 3:56am by cakesbykitty
This was only my second "real" cake. My first being the Elmo cake for my son's 1st birthday. I don't count the FBCT iguana cake, cuz that was mostly practice..
I have a question...
Why did my top tier lean? Any ideas? I used straw dowels (on bottom layer) which was white. Top - chocolate. I used a strawberry cream filling on the white cake, which I thought should've been creamier. It was more gelatin tasting.
Also, the white cake wasn't sweet enough. I used the Betty Crocker "Silver White Cake" recipe. I've made it so many times, but wasn't so thrilled with the results this time. I think maybe I'm being too picky this time because I wanted it to be perfect so badly. Anyone have a good white cake recipe?
All in all, I was pretty satisfied w/ the cake. I need more practice.
I'm ready for my next project!!
I wish I could get a better look at your cake but you may have had leaning because:
-your straws weren't all cut to the same height
-the cake itself may not have been completely level
-the straws may not have been in the right places(evenly distributed in the area where the top tier would sit) to properly support the top tier
I know some people swear by straws but I'm too chicken to chance it. I might consider trying the boba tea straws when I get my hands on some.
Just keep up the practice! Every cake is a learning experience for me sometimes good and sometimes bad! 
I know what you mean about being extra picky when it's for someone else... my family will eat anything but if i am making it for someone else I'm always worried it's never good enough to leave the house! If you are using a box mix always try to "doctor it up". there are some great recipes on file here if you don't have the "cake doctor" book. As for the leaning.... I agree with dodibug, perhaps your layers weren't level to begin with. are you using a knife freehand or a cake torting tool? Also, i dowel with wooden dowels, not straws... I just think they can hold the weight better. Keep practicing and reading this website... I promise it all comes together with time and practice. Kit
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