Layer It Up! Page 1 of 7 ©2018 Wilton Industries, Inc.

Inspiration Photos:

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https://www.weelovebaking.com/2012/11/ask-me-anything-post-12/

http://jessicaharriscakedesign.com/2014/09/20-new-cake-design-ideas/

http://jessicaharriscakedesign.com/2014/09/20-new-cake-design-ideas/

https://veenaazmanov.com/double-barrel-cakes/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUaNdp0Dqyr/

Wilton.com

Wilton.com

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Layer It Up!

Objective: Teach how to properly stack a double barrel cake

Recommended Ages: Teen to adult

Time Required: 1-session, 2 hours

Overview: Students will learn the following:

• Difference between a tall cake and barrel cake

• Convenience of Easy Layers! Cake Pan Set for creating tall cakes

• How to properly stack a double barrel cake using dowel rods

Instructor Supply list:

Wilton Products

✓ Easy Layers! Cake Pan Set (to show)

✓ Cake Leveler (optional)

✓ 3 - 6” Cake Circles, preferably with perforated centers

✓ Cake Base

✓ Turntable

✓ 9” Spatula

✓ 13” Angled Spatula

✓ Bamboo Dowel Rods

✓ Cake Smoother

✓ Icing Colors (royal blue, sky blue and teal needed for recommended design)

✓ Creamy White Decorating Icing, 4 lb. Tub

✓ Edible Metallic Cake Paint Set (for recommended design)

✓ Decorator Brush (for recommended design)

Items from Home

✓ 4 – 6” x 2” Round Cakes ✓ Level ✓ Scissors ✓ Ruler ✓ Pen ✓ Serrated Knife ✓ Gallon size plastic bag (for cleanup) ✓ Disposable cloth or paper towels ✓ 4 Small bowls to mix Icing Colors ✓ Container to carry decorated cake home

Class Outline:

1. Barrel Cake vs. Tall Cake

2. How to Stack a Double Barrel Cake

3. Decorate Barrel Cake

4. Clean-up

Instructions:

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Barrel vs. Tall Cake (10 minutes) - Explain (Source: https://veenaazmanov.com/tall-cakes-or-extended-height-cakes/) The difference between a tall cake and double barrel cake is that a tall cake is an extended height cake while a double barrel is an extended tier cake.

• Standard Cake o Typically 2 layers of cake with a cake circle on the bottom o Each layer is 2-3” tall, so the 2 layers combined make a 4 to 6” tall cake and no

additional support is needed.

• Tall Cake o You are adding height to the cake, usually by adding one more layer, so you are

turning a 2-layer cake into a 3-layer cake o Usually with a 6” tall cake, you can stack the 3 layers on a single cake board and skip

dowel rods o If using more than three 2-3” layers for a tall cake, then it should be constructed like

a double barrel cake because of the added weight. o When calculating number of servings, it’s just one extra layer so it’s really only

making the cake taller. Each taller slice is not necessarily more servings. If pricing the cake, you are adding extra cake so consider charging slightly more than a standard cake height.

o Introduce Easy Layers! Pan Set ▪ Allows you to create a tall cake without the hassle of

torting layers ▪ Non-stick pan sets available in 6” or 8” round, heart,

and loaf ✓ 6” x ¾” round creates 5 layers, using one

cake mix or a single batch of batter ✓ 8” x ¾” round, heart, and loaf creates 4

layers, using one cake mix or a single batch of batter

▪ Decorating Options for Easy Layers! Pan set ✓ Ideal for naked cakes, allowing you to show

off the layers and fillings ✓ Create a classic torte filled with whipped

cream, mousse or fruit ✓ Make an ombre cake, tinting the batter in

4-5 gradations of color or create a rainbow effect

• Double Barrel Cake o Typically consists of 2 or 3 tiered cakes stacked on top of each other, with a cake

board in between each tier o Usually made with 4 or more layers, each 2 to 3” tall o Can be about 8 to 10” tall o Bottom tier must be doweled so it can carry the weight of the top tier. In addition,

more layers means more movement so a center dowel that extends through all layers is also necessary to keep the layers evenly stacked.

o When calculating number of servings, consider it 2 full cakes with a cake board in between so it can be separated and served as 2 cakes. This will give you extra servings so price it as 2 cakes.

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How to Stack a Double Barrel Cake (25 minutes) – Demonstrate, students hands-on Students will work along with you, stacking their cakes as you demonstrate each step. Hint: Avoid stacking freshly iced, room temperature cakes. Chill layers in refrigerator before beginning construction so cakes are firm and sturdy. Do not freeze cakes because that will make it too difficult to insert dowel rods.

• Explain construction

• Prepare Base o You’ll need 3 cake circles, the same size as the cake pans being used. One will be

the bottom base, the second one will be used for the middle of the cake to separate the tiers, adding support to prevent bulging, while the third one will be used to help level stacked cake.

o Using scissors, trim ½-1” off one of the cake circles. This circle will be used in the middle, so the edge doesn’t get in the way when icing the cake.

o If not using cake circles with perforated center, a hole will need to be cut in one of the cake circles, so the center dowel rod can pass through the board separating the tiers.

• Level Layers Use Cake Leveler or serrated knife to level layers before stacking

• Stack Bottom Tier o Add a dab of icing to untrimmed cake circle to secure first layer to base o Place first layer, cut side (crumb side) down, and ice top only o Place next layer on top, cut side down, and ice top only

Two – 2” cake layers,

torted and filled

Two – 2” cake layers,

torted and filled

Dowel Rod, approx.

7” high

Hidden Cake Circle

Dowel Rods, approx. 4” high

Hidden Cake Circle

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• Add Dowel Rods Review “How to Stack a Tiered Cake” at: https://www.wilton.com/stacked-tiered-cake-construction/WLTECH-423.html#q=tiered+cakes&prefn1=contentType&prefv1=education&start=1 Note: This video shows how to stack a 2-layer 6” tier on a 2-layer 10” tier, rather than stacking 2 tiers that are the same diameter, however the same rules apply when you are constructing a double barrel cake

o Cut dowel rods so they are even with top of bottom tier cake, using first cut rod as your guide to measure the proper height for remaining rods

o 3-4 Bamboo dowel rods should be used for a 6” cake, not counting the larger center rod (plastic dowel rods are not recommended for a 6” cake because they are much wider). If using only 3 dowel rods, place them so they form a triangle.

• Stack Top Tier o Place trimmed cake circle on top of bottom tier and add a dab of icing o Place next layer, cut side down, on cake circle and ice top only o Place final layer on top, cut side down and ice top only

• Add Center Dowel Rod o Size dowel rod for center. This dowel rod will be almost double the length of the

other rods that were inserted into bottom tier because this one will be inserted through both tiers to secure all the layers together. It is not necessary for the center rod to extend all the way to the top of the constructed cake; just be sure it extends at least half way up through the top tier to hold it in place. Use the end of an extra dowel rod to force center dowel rod down to base.

• Level Stacked Cake o Place third cake circle on top layer and gently press down to help eliminate any air

pockets. o Place level on top to ensure cake is level, adjust if necessary o Remove top cake circle, cake is now ready to be crumb coated

Ice and Decorate Cake (75 minutes) – Demonstrate, student hands-on Use the recommended design included here or choose your own design that you can have students follow along as you demonstrate. Note: Be sure to adjust supply list accordingly if choosing a different design

• Tint Icing, approximately ¼ cup each o royal blue o sky blue o teal o light teal

• Smooth ice cake in white with large spatula and icing smoother

• Using small spatula, dab icing colors on sides of cake. Swipe up and down to spread icing. Add touches of gold with decorator brush and gold cake paint.

Clean-up (10 minutes)

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Resources:

• https://cakeheads.com/2015/09/04/double-barrel-cake/

• https://sugargeekshow.com/news/cake-decorating-basics-easy-double-barrel/

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wi6IRWItnI