I am going to attempt the 3D cuddly bear for the first time. I have read and re-read posts about this pan and here is what I shall do.
1. I'm not using the heating core
2. I'm using a BC cake mix but adding 1 pkt pudding, 1 egg and using milk instead of water.
Would appreaciate your feedback on if you think I'm on the right track.
Also will 1 cake mix with the pudding be enough batter for this pan? Any advice on baking times/temp???
Thank you to anyone who can help, this pan REALLY scares me! 
Good idea on NOT using the core... it really looks like it would be more of a hassle than anything to take it out 
I didn't doctor my cake mix at all when I made my bear but it might help for stability... I had a leg fall off of my first one but the second one I made stayed together just fine... good luck!
I made the bear for the first time when I made my Pooh cake (see my photos). The first time I did one I used the core, but didn't bake it quite long enough - center was still soggy....
The core was a major PAIN! It's almost impossible to grease the inside of it well so sure enough, the core stuck inside (may also have been because it was slightly undercooked).
Did it again without the core and was much easier (although this time I left it in a little too long and just about burned it....sigh.....).
The third time was the charm! Got it baked just right without the core. Next time I do it I think I'll add about another 1 cup batter. It didn't quite fill up to the bottom of the feet. Not too big a deal. I just filled in with icing - made it look fine and also helped anchor it to the base cake a little better.
i ALWAYS use my core, just spray and flour the outside and inside, then put some batter down inside. When you're done cooking it it comes right out, and you just insert the cooked part into the bottom of the bear. They always turn out perfect. You want to make sure that the center of the cake gets done as well as the outside.
Good luck!
Thanks mommabuda
Is there anyone out there that can tell me if one cake mix (with the pudding & extra egg) will be enough to fill this pan?
Don't want to get to the 'fill' stage and find out I need extra batter
I so hate that!Thanks
I have and the cake came out fine, but maybe an extra cup of batter would have been better. It's the bear in the crib cake in my photos.
Leslie
I always use the core and bake the cake inside of it...and then take out the core of cake and replace the center. This way it gets baked evenly without the outside of the cake getting overdone.
I have found that the perfect amount of cake is a DH yellow mixed with a BC pound (which is loaf pan sized) and not only is it the perfect amount but the cake ends up firmer as well. Just throw both mixes together and combine the called for ingredients.
Actually now that I think of it, I think you have a little left over in case you want to make a matching mini bear.... regardless, I'd rather have a little too much batter than not enough, and one mix is definately not enough if you want full sized feet.
I didn't have my glasses whenI read the instructions. You need 6 2/3 cups of batter. 6 cups for the bear and 2/3 cup for the core. 
Well here he is..... yeah okay maybe his legs are a little short but all in all I'm quite pleased with him.
I used nearly 7 cups of batter, but I guess since this is quite a heavy mixture it doesn't rise like a normal cake???
My family have eaten the 'scraps' and said they loved the taste of the cake.
Thanks for the hints everyone, I won't be so scared about this pan anymore - and I don't think I'd bother trying it with the core either. 
Thanks for posting this. I have the 3D Cabbage Patch. I think I'll get her out for the cake I have to do for my cousin. She'll be 5 Monday and I think she will love it. Will have to hunt down an extender recipe for it though.
Here is the one I used.... I picked this one because many CC'ers having been saying how good it is.
She'll love the Cabbage Patch cake - you'll be popular
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-1977-Cake-Mix-extender.html
Thank you very much for posting that. It saved me a lot of trouble.
he came out great, and his feet don't look short at all! Now you get the fun of decorating him. If you're doing stars, I'll warn you it gets really old by the time you get to his backside. I usually use a tip 18 for the small spots and a 2010 (3 stars in one) for everywhere else if you have one!
Soooooooooo...when do we get to see the finished product?!?!? I'm dyin' here!
katharry-
I'm dying laughing at your comment about "the mange"! That's hilarious! I thought I'd given up on that damn pan, but yours turned out so cute (w/out the core) that now I'm going to have to try him again! I think I'll take kitagirl's advice and mix a regular mix with a pound mix and see what happens. Everytime I've made him his head falls off....I think I'd rather have the mange than no head! he he!
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