How to Build Cake Support for Multiple Tiers

Proper support protects your cake from collapsing.

Tiered cakes can provide a flowing, dramatic appearance for any celebration or event. Cakes are heavy, and stacking them can cause the layers to compress in the middle, ruining the even, level look. Internal reinforcement can provide the stability necessary to protect the finished product. Support the tiers properly to reinforce the center weight of each layer, maintaining the smooth, balanced finish. Does this Spark an idea?

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Measuring tape
Plastic or wooden cake dowels
Serrated knife

Instructions

- 1
  
  Bake and frost your cake layers as desired. Do not decorate them yet so that you do not destroy the decorations when you build the tiers.
- 2
  
  Measure the height of each cake layer except for the top layer. Make a note of each measurement and which layer it fits.
- 3
  
  Measure and cut four wooden or plastic cake dowels for each layer with a serrated knife. For example, if you have one 18-inch layer, one 12-inch layer and one 10-inch layer, cut four 18-inch rods and four 12-inch rods.
- 4
  
  Mark the top of each layer with the diameter of the layer that will stack on top. For example, mark the top of the bottom layer with small marks that indicate the diameter of the second layer. Push the support rods into the bottom layer, inside the diameter marks so that it supports the second layer. Insert the rods in a square shape to provide the most support possible.
- 5
  
  Position the second layer on top of the base layer, centered over the dowels. Repeat the process for each additional layer until you secure the top layer.

Tips & Warnings

Use a small rubber mallet to force the dowels into the cake if they do not insert easily.
Insert a long dowel through the center of all of the tiers for added support if there are four or more layers.