I waited for a year before getting up the courage to try tt.........I only did 2 tiers but check it out...not bad for first time and it was so much easier then I had thought it would be!!! I was sooooo paranoid .....I made one for my birthday so if I messed it up it was for me.....its one of my all time favorites....go figure hehe
...don't let it intimidate you....watch the great vid on youtube by janelle....and then go for it!
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1815018
I want to try this really bad, but I'm so scared! Not to mention, it looks like I would need to make a fairly large cake to get the right effect, even if I just did 2 layers... I am making my niece a cake for her b-day this month and I told her I wanted to try it on hers, but still don't know if I'm going to get up the nerve.
madgeowens, yours is beautiful! I hope when I finally take the plunge, I can do that well!
How big were your tiers and how many layers were they? Did you use the instructions that have you cut a hole for the tier above to sit on?
I have seen Janelle's youtube also - I just watched it again because I'm going to attempt this for a cake I need to make next weekend! Just your subject line 'dont fear the topsy' gave me a little encouragement to try it! Question - on her youtube, it looks like the very bottom layer of the bottom cake is smaller around then the other ones on the bottom layer. ??
yes her bottom layer is smaller, and she used that to trim down the sides, I had to watch about 10 times until I got that lol.....I used 4 layers for the 8 inch(bottom) and 3 layers for the 6 incher....be sure and not take too terrible much off the sides of the top one....yes I measured the base of the top one to make the cut out pattern for the top....be sure it has fondant on it before you trace the base....because it will be bigger than the hole if you dont...then use a tiny level to make sure its level...hope that made sense....it is not at all as hard as I thought, and I know I can make a three tier if I want...have fun...watch that tutorial over until you feel confident....can't wait to see them!! Oh make sure you use wood dowels for support and they are all same level and the center dowel thru both...and you will be good!
also watch closely when she is trimming the sides....she starts closer two the second cake to begin trimming...not at the top one...thats key,,,her video is a big help
I used a 7 inch myself...I don't know that she ever said what she used in the video...you could try and ask her......you dont have to do it that way but it made it easier....that was the hardest part of the entire process for me...but it came out good....I really loved my birthday cake...only thing I think I did wrong was I did not position my drapes in the right place to be able to show off my angles better in the pics haha..but I loved my cake anyway hehe
Than you glow.....Bob I don't know, but she is on youtube..I will get link
I have seen Janelle's youtube also - I just watched it again because I'm going to attempt this for a cake I need to make next weekend! Just your subject line 'dont fear the topsy' gave me a little encouragement to try it! Question - on her youtube, it looks like the very bottom layer of the bottom cake is smaller around then the other ones on the bottom layer. ??
I just noticed on her blog she used a 9 inch under the 10 inch to carve.......so I lucked out with using an inch less also for it....
I want to try this really bad, but I'm so scared! Not to mention, it looks like I would need to make a fairly large cake to get the right effect, even if I just did 2 layers... I am making my niece a cake for her b-day this month and I told her I wanted to try it on hers, but still don't know if I'm going to get up the nerve.
madgeowens, yours is beautiful! I hope when I finally take the plunge, I can do that well!
How big were your tiers and how many layers were they? Did you use the instructions that have you cut a hole for the tier above to sit on?
I heard somewhere....that the larger around the cake the more layers you need to use for it to look right...such as 10 inch you would need at least 4 layers...I used 4 with my 8 incher and it just looks to squat if you use less....so if I were to do a three tier I would use 4 layers for the 10 inch 4 layers for the 8 inch and three for the six....thats how I would do it...
One other thing......I used the wasc redcipe for yellow and for chocolate and it worked great....I don't care for pound cake............oh and chill or semi freeze it before cutting....thats important, and trim little by little not big cuts....don't be afraid.........it was fun!!!
this may be a stupid question but do you need to put each tier on a board?
Definitely! The more support, the better!
use a pencil sharpner only used for this.....I use a hammer and tap it all the way to the bottom...dont make it too pointy that it splinters
hmmm i may have to attempt again! my last one turned out as nothing less then a complete disaster!! (see pics lol) but ill blame heat for that.. hehe. i think this time i may just play it safe and go two tiers only. now to find an eevent to make ti for...
madgeowens, if i used ahammer i think i would knock down the whole cake lol the cake boards are reg, ones right? i mean, do they have thin ones that you use for that, just reg cake boards right?
well your not going to slam it home with one hit lol...little taps, and its just the thin cardboard cake boards.....and if its on foamboard it will go into that as well.....I have a small hammer I only use for this
I agree! Definately don't fear topsy turvy! I never got around to doing a test run before doing my first topsy (the wedding cake in my photos). The only test I did was the tapered sides on the princess cake I made. If you watch Janelle's video and understand how to do it, it's not difficult. I encourage everyone to give it a shot!
And Madge, great job! Your cake looks great!
Madgeowens I have to make a tospy turvy for my friend next Saturday. We were playing around with different size cake pans today trying to figure out what sizes to choose. The bottom tier is going to be a 10 and the top an 8 inch. She wants it three layers high. Should I use two 10 inch layers and one 8? The top she was thinking an two 8 inch cakes and a 6 but she is afraid there won't be enough cake with the bottom layer being to small. What would be the best configuration? I had her and her daughter help make the decorations so this is pretty much a freebie for a friend. Any help on sizes greatly appreciated.
If you do a ten inch on bottom I would use three layers 10 inch and one 9 inch...using the nine inch on the bottom to guide you carving(watch video) the next tier should be three 8 inch and one 7 inch on bottom to carve tha tier....thats alot of cake....then you can use three layers of 6 inch for the top....chill it really well to carve....I can't recommend the janelle video enough...the link is earlier in this blog...good luck
also thanks you afunk 
Thank you Madeowens. You are awesome. This will be my first topsy turvy. Now I can stop stressing on what sizes to use. I have watched her video twice. Think I will have to watch it again. Thank you!
Had to dig up this thread to say I'm axiously waiting for 5pm so I can leave work and go home to attempt my first topsy turvy (2-tier). I'll admit, I have a little fear, but I've researched and researched and watched youtube and read tutorials and prepared the best I can.
I actually carved, ganached and covered the bottom tier in fondant last night. All I have left to do with the top tier is cover in fondant. So I'm almost past the hardest part. I'm just hoping the stacking part works out. I'm sooo scared to pound that center dowel in it. I've never done it before. Is it really necessary for a 2-tier???
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