Layer Cake
Posted by Tweedle on Jun 23, 2010 · Member since Jul 2009 · 71 posts
So, my mum's birthday is coming up on July 4th and I want to make her a pretty layer cake. I know how to make a layer cake, but I wonder what kind of pans would be best? I've seen these springform pans everywhere that don't flare out at the top the way other round pans do (if that makes sense)-- would springform be the way to go? or can I just save my money and use the old fashioned cake pans?
any other tips or suggestions... especially for decorating would be appreciated too :)
I just use regular round cake pans when I do layer cakes. You could do parchment paper on the bottom to make it easier to get out. I don't even do that, though. Just lightly grease.
thanks!! :)
Are springform the kind where the bottom isn't attached to the rest of the pan? If so, those look like they would be very helpful especially if you have a problem with the cake sticking.
Are springform the kind where the bottom isn't attached to the rest of the pan? If so, those look like they would be very helpful especially if you have a problem with the cake sticking.
Yup, it is. I generally just use two 9 inch rounds for my layer cakes. I rarely use a springform at all. :\
I always use regular cake pans. I don't use parchment paper, but have much less trouble with the cake sticking if I let it cool completely before removing it. Worst case scenario, the cake tears a bit when you get it out of the pan. Assuming you plan on frosting the cake, it is easy to patch the cake back together. I don't usually have trouble. Also, strangely it seems that vegan cakes taste better the day after they are made than fresh, at least in my experience.
Regular cake pans would work well, the shape depending on availability and preference.
Springform pans are great for cheescake style pies, unbaked pies or fruit pizza pies...
More important than the slant of the sides is the flatness of the touching surfaces, so cutting the top off of the bottom layer makes sense.
It would be nice to make a round layer cake with a filling and the glaze smooth on the top and dripping down the sides.
Imagine fresh cherries and coconut cream in between the layers of chocolate cake.
Spread on coconut frosting , drizzle with cherry puree and top with chocolate shavings and a few cherries.
This is in anticipation of cherry season...
What flavour/s are you thinking of doing?
I use round pans made of silicon - everyone tells me this is crazy because they're not very stable, but I maintain it's easier to get the finished cakes out. I usually put a circle of parchment on the bottom of the pans (just trace around the pan and cut it out) and grease the sides with a little oil. When I don't use parchment, I grease and flour them.
I usually bake the cake layers the day before so I know they're totally cooled when I go to assemble it - I don't even refrigerate them if it's just overnight - I leave them on the cooling rack and just stash it inside my oven once it's cooled, or the microwave, so no bugs can get to it or anything.
The buttercream-type frostings from VCTOTW are great for layer cakes.
When I frost the cake, I put it on the surface I'm going to bring/serve it on (like a plate or the bottom of my cake carrier) but put some strips of parchment around under the edges - that way after I make a big mess decorating, I just pull the paper out from under the sides, and the dish is clean, and I don't have to transfer it again.
If you don't have any tools, you can try piping with a ziploc bag, but I suck at that, so when without my decorating tips, I try to decorate with *stuff* instead - usually whatever matches what's in the cake, like fruit, nuts, etc - you can put them in a circle around the edge or whatever. It can look pretty fancy to sorta splatter chocolate ganache all over (also easier, to me, than pouring it and having it drip perfectly down the sides) or to shave chocolate (from a bar, using a vegetable peeler) and sprinkle it on top. Coating the sides in sprinkles or chopped nuts or crumbs looks cool. Or if you can draw pretty well (or just want to write "Mom" or "50" or something), make a stencil with parchment and use it to write with powdered sugar or cocoa or small sprinkles.
Healthymomma's idea sounds awesome! Man, now I really want to make a cake. :>