Im a little confussed on how to use these pans. First time using them and very new to this wonderful world of learning how to create & decorate tier cakes. Do I have to cut into each tier cake (like the youtube videos I have seen on how to make a Topsy Turvy/Madd Hatter Cake) or can I just bake, decorate & stack to create a Topsy Turvy 3 tier cake (6,8,10) and how would I go about on how to support and stablize each tier of this cake. Thanks for helping

I have the same type of pans, just a different brand. I do not carve into the cakes at all. I just level and stack them as they are. Support is important as always and I run a dowel through all the tiers to hold in place. So far never had a problem.

Yes, level the tops if necessary. They are great pans and make topsy turvy cakes VERY easy.

Does any1 have a pic of a cake made with these pans? Im curious to see what they would look like!

The gothic wedding cake in my pics is made using 3 of the pans.

Hi melanie-1221, Your gothic wedding cake looks very good! What brand of topsy turvy pans did you buy and where did you get them? How many layers did you bake for each pan and what sizes are the pans? Also did your cakes bake evenly in the pans? Was one side undercooked? Any directions included with the pans? Sorry for so many questions and thanks.

Hi Melanie-1221,

THANK YOU for letting me know how to use these pans and how to support the cake. I will be making a baby shower cake for my sister in law in 2 weeks. Wish me luck. I'll try to post a pic

Thanks melanie-1221. I saw them on-line. I think I am going to buy them. Did you use a doctored box mix or scratch recipe for your gothic cake?

CooCooBody please post a picture of your cake and your reviews of the pans.

Thank you both for your help.

My gothic wedding cake was a scratch chocolate chiffon cake.

Ive been curious about these too! I see that you said you didnt have to level Melanie and that with the use of the strips you didnt find they baked unevenly either (my first two concerns) but my biggest concern has always been... the bottom of the pan isnt level (thats the whole point right!?!) so how does this thing sit in your oven?? In the oven is the bottom of the pan (the slanted top of the cake) parrallel to the ground and the opening of the pan (which will be the bottom of the cake) at an angle or is it the opposite (somehow)?

Since the two edges arent parrallel to each other they cant BOTH be!

(am i explaining myself ok or just rambling!!??) hahahah

You can't see in in most of the pictures of these pans but they have a metal " stand" on the shallow side that lifts it up and makes it so that the pan sits level in the oven and not slanted. Not sure if I explained that very well but if you would like I could post a picture of the pan that shows the "stand".
So far ( I have used these 4 times ) with my bake even strips I have not had to level these cakes at all and they have come out great!

I've never tried the cut and carve method, I bought these pans in hopes of making it easier to make a topsy turvy cake ( I was very intimidated by the carving method ) and I can't imagine anything being easier.

Thanks Melanie. Thinking of getting a set of the Petal Craft myself. You have answered some of my questions. Hard for me to believe, though, that the tiers don't look short if used alone (although your gothic cake seems to look ok). Someone said one could use another single regular layer underneath, which I might consider trying.

I know it's very late but if you still have the pans,I found some information; copy the attached link; download the instructions

http://www.chefscomplements.co.nz/shop/bakeware/product-list/details/_cat2_/1591/Cake-Cupcake-Muffin--Novelty-Shaped-Cake-Pans/_prod_/Fat-Daddios-Mad-Dadder-Topsy-Turvy-Square-Cakepan?productlistPCMID=12948