Newby here. Can anyone recommend some recipes that yield firm, dense cake, kinda like pound cake I guess. I'm making a 3-tiered whimsical cake for my mom's retirement party, and I'm looking for something other than the out-of-the-box cakes I use a lot (I suck at baking. Or maybe it's my oven that sucks. Yeah, that's it.) - she likes carrot cake and spice cake, maybe even german chocolate, stuff like that - I was thinking of making each layer a different flav. I do plan to use dowels, of course, but it also helps to have cake that's not fluffy. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience & advice!
-J

Hi and Welcome, JensAddiction.

Here's a link to CC acronyms:

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-2926-.html

How much sleeved pastry filling per layer cake chart:

http://tinyurl.com/2gay6n

Here are some doctored carrot cake mix threads:
(Includes cake and frosting recipes, hints & tips.)

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-42115-.html

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-40229-.html

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-22003-.html

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-3184-.html

Doctored German chocolate cake mix recipes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-4563-3-Super-Yummy-Chocolate-Chip-Cake.html

http://www.recipezaar.com/51233
(Cake mix doctor recipe.)

Doctored spice cake recipes:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2391-4-Margies-Spice-Cake.html

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-6823-6-Pecan-Spice-Cake.html

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-6827-8-Spice-Cake-Extender-with-Cream-Cheese-icing.html

Wilton cake preparation and servings charts:
(Gives batter requirements by pan size as well as recommended baking temps. and times and more.)

http://www.wilton.com/cake/cakeprep/baking/times/index.cfm

Link to Wilton's cake making & decorating help:

http://www.wilton.com/wedding/makecake/index.cfm

Topys turvy, whimsical and crooked cake help:

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicpt-3447903-.html

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-347043-.html

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-413983-.html

http://tinyurl.com/2bcpau

HTH

Ooops, sorry about the double post.

You're very welcome, Cakebelle, it was my pleasure.

If you have questions, just post.... There are CC addicts online 24/7.

Decided to do a series of Handsome Hollywood Actors (past & present) as avatars. Thanks for the positive feedback!

Thanks so much for this, I'm a newbie too.
YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!! JanH...........
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.......... HOT AVATAR

Wow, thanks, JanH, for all the great links - this is a huge help!! You do, indeed, rock. So does Denzel.