Hi there. I have done every trick in the book. I've filled my cakes a day ahead of time to let them settle. I've used stiff buttercream (per Sharon Zambito) for my dams and let them harden before filling. I've crumb coated then used a thick layer of bc before adding fondant and I STILL get bulges. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!!!

What kind of pans are you using? The cheap pans have flared edges and don't make straight sides on a cake. If you have two of the same size and same brand and one fits inside the other, then they don't have straight sides.

Are your cakes leveled off across the top?

I have some Wilton pans but I also have more expensive Fat Daddio pans. Either way, I always trim my cakes after filling them so they have straight edges. They're pretty level across the top. Why would that affect it?

Even if they're level on top, they also need to be level on the sides. If the pan has a flare to it, it'll stick out on the side when you stack in on the one below unless you make sure the sides are straight up and down.

It's funny because I never used to trim the sides and I didn't seem to get bulges but now that I'm trimming them and they're perfectly straight, they're bulging. At first I thought the fondant was too heavy and weighing it down, but I lightened it up and they're still bulging. I just don't get it!

Yes - in reference to middle bulges I learned from this awesome site that straight sided pans and sticking something relatively heavy on top of the cake while it's settling REALLY help with the battle of the bulge - I almost never have bulging or weird looking middle layer imperfections on the sides of my cakes now Do you use a really thick layer of filling or a really gloopy filling? That might cause problems...

I thought that by filling the cakes a day ahead to let them settle would be enough time. Would I still need to add something heavy on top??? I use different fillings but always use a very stiff bc for the dam so the filling shouldn't matter, right?

Maybe by trimming off the harder, more baked edges, there's not as much support on the sides by the cake itself? Does that make sense?

Have you ever tried using ganche under your fondant?
It firms to a nice outer shell on the cake and it helps to keep the filling in.

Mjoycake, that actually does make sense. I've been carving away quite a bit of cake and that may be the problem. Flourpots, no I haven't tried ganache UNDER fondant but that sounds like a great idea, too. Maybe both of these suggestions will help. Thanks!!!

Maybe you need to have less filling on the cake..
Edna

I'm with Edna...its gotta be too much filling...I rarely have bulging cakes and I don't use weights or anything like that....

I wish it were too much filling but I know that's not the case.

Maybe you use too LITTLE filling. If the middle of the cake sinks in the middle because the level of the filling is lower than the dam, the edges might turn out a little. I always make sure the filling is the same depth as the dam.

once i got my agbay and used 3 or 4 very thin layers of filling like literally so thin they are just a coating i stopped the bulge - also pressing down on the cake once its all filled helps. my problem was using just one thick layer of filling - now everyone comments on how moist my cakes are and how much nicer to eat with 3 or 4 thin layers instead of one big thick one. pricey but so worth it.

Okay, guys, you were right. I was using too much filling! The only reason I increased my filling was because DH said I wasn't using enough and that people love a lot of filling. Serves me right. I just finished a cake and no bulges! Thanks everyone. Happy Halloween!

I use a thick filling I think--but some are even thicker. This is well whipped cream--no stabilizer with fresh strawberries and lemon berry filling with no starch--all fruit.

http://acmecakes.com/images/R0010948.JPG

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Little bit different subject:

Now this slice was made just for shooting online pictures for a story I was doing--see under the long edge of icing, see the raggedy edges of cake there where I did not shave the sides? See how important that is (shaving the sides) to get a nice even layer of icing without building it out to an infinite thickness.

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Anyhow--nice thick luscious filling thoughts for you.
It can be done without squishing out and better than that sample too.

I am like you K8memphis...I put about that much for whipped fillings, then for custard fillings I put less.
The custard fillings get too slippery when you add too much.
Edna

Jeff,

Very interested in trying your recipe.

Does it crust?

Can you use this recipe with all shortening (I see that you say NO Crisco) and no butter?

Can you use high ratio with this or are you referring to a store brand shortening WITH transfats?

Can you use this for your dam also?

Thanks