Hi guys.

   I am making a cake for my niece's birthday in the next couple weeks. The bottom tier will be about 8 inches round with 3 or 4 layers and the top tier will be about 6 inches.. 3 or 4 layers too. HOW DO I SUPPORT IT???  Should I put cardboard in between the layers? Put dowels in the top or bottom tier or both?  Skewers? How do I stabilize it so it doesn't just collapse? Thank you!

 P-S: I will be using only buttercream so don't have to worry about the heaviness of fondant.  

Hi, 

ok, so you should only need supports in your bottom tier unless something heavy is going on top of your top tier. You can use baking dowels, you can find them in your local Walmart in the Wilton aisle or online at Amazon. Or you could use paper straws. I know it sounds crazy but I've used them many times and as long as the cake is as small as you are saying, it will not be a problem. Just cut whatever you are using to the size on you stacked tier. You should put 5-7 of them, spreading out evenly, and making sure you have at least  a couple nearest to the center for proper support. Make sure your top tier is placed on its own cake board before stacking on the cake. You can decide the tier with either a little smear of buttercream, royal icing, or even chocolate. Hope my description is clear. :) good luck with the cake!

Gina

I don't mean to come across as grouch, but this is an extremely easy question for you to figure out on your own with the help of google or you tube. Just google "how to stack a cake" and you'll get TONS of articles and  videos about doing this.  The Wilton website also has a lot of information on cake basics.  I am all for helping newbies, but there's a difference between asking something you're confused about and not doing any work on your own.  Also you could go to your local library and take out a book on cake decorating. Almost every book on basic cake decorating includes a section on stacking cakes. Or if you think you might do this more than once, invest in a book. Then if you have some confusion about the best way to do things, by all means ask here! 

I use plastic drinking straws if only supporting one layer.  Put the top layer on cardboard.  If using buttercream, a little powdered sugar on the part you will stack over will prevent sticking.

Thank you so much!! Yes your description was very clear and has helped me so much!  :)

       Hi thanks for your advice!  I have actually researched hours on this particular subject and never got a clear description on where to insert the dowels. I didn't realize that this website was only for something I was "confused" about. Sorry about that. Thanks again.

 Thank you!!!! :)

This site isn't just for when you are "confused"... it is for everyone... 

Sometimes we all get a little bothered by things and say things that come off to others the wrong way...

While, yes your questions was basic, you were confused and did at least receive some help... 

Hopefully you will continue to utilize CC...

that really sounded unkind. 

If you don't want to answer the question, just move on. Jeez!