AI'm new to this site as well and new to baking. I made the bear and it had a crack by the neck!!! I chose to bake without the heating core which worked fine but also the feet and legs didn't quite fill out properly! I used a little more batter than suggested and it overflowed a little but the feet and legs still didn't fill out properly!! Any one know why???? Please help me!!!

Welcome Peekaboocupcake!

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Those are the problem.  It really is important to use the heating core.  It helps even baking.

AI didn't have a problem with the baking part. It actually turned out great! It was cooked all the way thru and tasted real good. This one was a trial run for the two bears I have to make next week.my main concern is why did it crack???

AIt could be the cake recipe. I made the Winnie the Pooh bear cake a couple of months ago and his head started splitting in two. I have no idea how much buttercream it took to keep him together. It was a chocolate cake but for a lack of a better description it was light, moist and fluffy. I have made him before using a more denser recipe and didn't have the problem and I always use the core.

Hope this helps and good luck. :)