Do You Leave the Cake Board on When Stacking?

You should not be able to see any cardboard except for bottom cake board that the cake is sitting on. All of the piping should be done once the cake is already stacked, to avoid thumbprints or cracks. You will need chopsticks, straws or plastic dowels to begin stacking.

How do you stack a cake without it collapsing?

Level out your cake layers with a knife so they are flat.

Use a bread knife to cut off the top layer of each cake. Try to make a flat line on the top of each cake so that it creates an even, flat top. It will be much easier to stack your cakes if they're already level.

Can you stack a cake without dowels?

The only time full dowelling is not necessary for a stacked construction is if the lower tiers are a firm fruit cake or carrot cake. If a light sponge cake or mousse-filled creation, without the dowels the top tiers would simply sink into the lower ones and the cake will topple over.