September 2025 Cake! Magazine | Page 43

Step 1
Begin by creating a hole in the center of each dummy tier and cake board. If you ' re working with real cake, ensure you also drill into each cake board. For this tutorial, the cake board size is 12 inches. Make sure to take your time with this step, as it’ s crucial for the stability of your cake structure. Properly drilling the holes will help align the tiers and support the overall design.
Step 2
To start, I take the measurements of the circumference for each tier and jot them down for future reference when I cover them with fondant. This ensures that I have accurate dimensions to work with smoother and more precise.
Step 3
To stop hot glue from leaking through the bottom, I start by turning the board upside down and placing masking tape in a crisscross pattern over the hole. This technique ensures that when I apply glue on the top side, it remains contained
Step 4 Step 5 To prepare the dowel, trim it according to the measurements you recorded for the stacked tiers.
To secure the center dowel, apply hot glue into the drilled hole and insert the dowel, making sure it stays straight and vertical by using a level while the glue is still warm and pliable. Set the board aside to allow the glue to fully harden.