I'm making my cakes today and I don't know if I should cook the 16" square at a lower degree because its so wide or just for a longer amount of time. If you could please help me soon- I've never made a cake this big before.

Bake it on a lower temp and bake it longer. I always use a flower nail in the middle of my larger cakes.
Sherry

Do you put the flower nail in, then pour the batter in? Or put the flower nail in after the batter is poured with the sharp side down? Sorry if that is a dumb question, but I was never sure how that works. I would guess the flat side would have to be in the bottom of the pan or it'd fall over.....

Yes, put the flat side down and put it in before you pour the cake batter in. I usually use 2 flower nails. Don't forget to spray them with what ever you use on your cake pan.
Sherry

Spraying them definitely makes sense. And is something I would not have thought to do till after the fact! LOL. Thanks.

Thanks so much for your help. I tried it and the cake came out perfectly. I didn't even have to cook it longer then a 14" because of this method. Thanks so much