I have seen many posts regarding using straws in lieu of dowels in stacked cakes. I just want to verify that these are normal sized drinking straws. I did see a post about using those big bubble tea straws but in general, do regular drinking straws really hold up and work well as dowels? I'd rather use them instead of wooden dowels because I don't like the idea of anything that could have splinters being in my cake but I don't want to compromise the structure by using something flimsy. Also, I think I remember reading that you could also use lollipop sticks (cookie bouquet sticks) but those seem like they wouldn't be thick enough . . . anyone out there able to enlighten me? I'm doing my first stacked cake for my course III class this Thursday.
Thanks!
I used regular drinking straws for doweling a 6" tier on top of an 8" and a full sports-ball cake on top of sheet cake. The cake was pretty heavy & dense and it worked just great--didn't sag a bit. I don't know if it would have held with more than the one layer; I've never tried it.
We use them in the bakery, but only for light tiers. Our head Chef tells us to use wooden dowels for anything heavier than the 6 & 8 inch tiers.
I hope this helps!
Sweetcakes23
I have only used the straws for smaller tiers, I prefer using the hidden columns or larger plastic tubing for dowel roding, on larger cakes. I don't use the straws as a general rule, but have in a pinch. If the wooden rods are cut properly you should not have slivering. The sturdy straws like the ones you get at McDonalds work pretty good.
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