I have read all of the articles on how to construct a tiered cake but I think I may be stupid... I just don't get it.
I made three cakes yesterday, 4,6,8" layers ( want to put together a small cake for the weekend to celebrate 3 anniversaries in the family) I put each on a cardboard cake circle covered in fancy foil and frosted them and now they are in the freezer waiting for me to put together.
Here is my question(S)... should I just stack the cakes on top of one another as is? Do I put a dowel rod down the center of all three tiers to the bottom? Do I put several dowels in between each layer? Or am I totally off base? Also- if I do stack them on top of one another-should there be something on the bottom of the cardboard and if so what?
I would really like to understand the construction of the tiered cake. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
put dowels in the 8" cake...place the 6: on top, then put dowels in the 6" cake and put the 4" on top....if u are travelling with it, drive a dowel through the whole thing
you can put dowels in between each cake to support the one on top. non needed for the top cake. my wilton instructor said we could put a piece of wax paper the same size as the cake above under the cake so the icing wont come up with the cake, some people i think use powdered sugar for this reason also. hope that makes sense. maybe someone more experienced ccould help.
How many dowels in each? It's a pretty small cake. I like the wax paper idea I had actually thought about doing that but wasn't sure.
after you have individually frosted and or fondant covered each of the cakes, you need to dowel the base and middle tiers for support. You can use either wooden, plastic, or even strong drinking straws (McD's) for the dowels. Place the straws about an inch within the circle of where the next cake on top is going to go - you'll need about 4 for the 8", 3 for the 6" - try to place them in a triangle or square pattern - not straight across. The top tier needs no support
You need to "glue" the tiers together with either buttercream or royal icing if using fondant.
YOu can do a centre dowel if you wish, but I don't do them, and this is a smaller cake.
Good luck
Perhaps you are like me, "a visual person". Here is a tutorial with pictures. It describes all the diferent kinds of cake construction. First check the dowel rod part and then the stacked tiered part.
Hope it helps!
http://www.bakedecoratecelebrate.com/techniques.cfm?cat=8
I am definitely a more visual person, nenufares. Thanks. Thanks you all. I will put the cake together on SAat. and post the finished product.
Okay, here is the finished product. My attempt at lattice work leaves a little to be desired but the overall effect is there, I think?? Any comments/suggestions/criticisms are most definitely welcome. I have learned so much since joining this site and am no longer afraid to try new things because I know I have a great support system just a click of the mouse away. Thanks to all for your help. 
That's a GREAT FALL CAKE!!!!!!! Love it!*!**!*
Thanks everyone for your support. I am pleased with the overall look but like us all, I am very critical of my work and the lattice just sticks out as being wrong ( I am a perfectionist and need to get over this). Anyway, you all are great!!! Thanks again.
I guess one of these days if I want to learn the proper way, I should try to take some classes. Do you all recommend them or should I just continue to do things the way that I am?
I have thought about it also . I am learning so much here from everyone and everyone is so nice too . You should definitely take the classes! If nothing else, they are a lot of fun!! But you will learn little tricks (if you have a great teacher!!) and you will be glad you did! I enjoy my classes because I like sharing my passion for decorating with willing people. They really enjoy finding the things they are good at and running with it!! And you are so advanced already, you will do SO WELL!!!
Wow, that cake is great! You may not be happy with the lattice work but remember .... no one at the party can even come CLOSE to what you've done so everyone will think it's great too!! The flowers really tie in well with the colors and that adds to the overall look! Great job!
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