Tiered cakes are impressive. (Especially if it’s one of our lovely layered recipes!) It’s exciting to wow your friends with the final product, but the process can be stressful and leave you wondering if your cake will stack straight. Follow these tips on how to create level, even cake layers
Try a new mixing technique
The first tip for getting a level cake starts before ingredients are even in the mixer. To get a level cake, you’ll want to reverse the way you mix ingredients together. Taking a tip fromThe Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum (1988), the reverse creaming method is the first step to layered perfection.
In this method dry ingredients (flour and sugar) are combined ffirst, then butter is added, followed by liquid ingredients (eggs and extracts). There is bonafide science behindwhy this method creates a more level cake but in the most basic terms: by eliminating the creaming of butter and sugar, there is less air captured in the cake batter and less rise and fall occurs while in the oven. Try it with this rainbow layered cake.
Give your tin a tap
Even the smallest adjustments can help you get a more even cake. Before you put your cake tins in the oven, give them a good tap on the counter to even out the batter. A few steady taps to each pan will help release extra air bubbles and level everything out.
Pro tip: Apply a gentle touch. Do not slam or slap them! If you’re too robust in your tapping efforts, the batter might splash or slosh around leaving you with an uneven cake.
Give your cake a pat
We just got done tapping the cake, but once it’s baked, it’s all about patting.
As soon as you take a cake out of the oven and it is still hot, place the pan on the countertop. Then place a kitchen towel or tea towel over the cake. Our favorite cleaning tool, a microfiber cloth, will work too!
Gently pat the center of the cake with a flat hand. Light, even pressure will start the leveling process of your cake dome, as it cools and sinks.
How to level a cake without a leveler
You may have seen “cake cutting wires” in specialty baking store or cookbooks, these tools are finicky and honestly take up more room in your drawer than they are worth. For cake leveling the best tool to reach for is your standard serrated bread knife.
Before you even consider slicing your cake, make sure it is completely room temperature throughout. No cheating! You don’t want to level a cake only to have it slump in the middle as it cools.
When you’re ready to level, start with your serrated knife at the edge of the cake dome, not the side of the cake. This way you are wasting as little cake as possible in the leveling process and your cake will stand taller and more impressive.
Your blade should be completely parallel with the countertop. Then slice about two inches into the cake dome. Remove the blade and turn the cake a quarter turn until you have sliced all the way around the cake. Once you’ve given a preliminary slice around the edge of the dome, you can take your bread knife and slice all the way through.
And don’t toss those scraps! You can use them to make cake pops (though we don’t blame you if you just snack on the extras instead).
Once your cake is rid of that dome, you can start to frost! What we love most about this technique is not only that it levels the cake, but by exposing a bit of the sponge, it allows some of that filling and frosting to really set in. Yum! Oh—and be sure you’re using the right buttercream!
With these tips, you’re ready to stack your cakes layers high!
Get started with these layered lovelies.
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Taste of Home
Sandy's Chocolate Cake
Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
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Coconut Chiffon CakeToasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it's a lovely end to meals throughout the year.
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Mocha Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Mocha CakeWithout a doubt, this is the best cake I've ever made. I share this decadent mocha cake with everyone I can! —Katherine DeLoach, Visalia, California
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Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream FrostingIndulge in this layer cake topped with rich buttercream—a vanilla lover's dream. I use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. —Michelle Dorsey, Wilmington, Delaware
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Lemon Raspberry Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Chantilly Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Majestic Pecan CakeThis recipe truly lives up to its name. The pecan-dotted cake is stacked in three layers, and made-from-scratch frosting is the crowning touch.—Karen R. Jones, Claypool, Indiana
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Banana Pudding Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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If you want a St. Patrick's Day dessert that will take the cake, look no further! The rich chocolate cake is incredibly moist and has a nice malt flavor that's perfectly complemented by the Irish cream frosting. —Jennifer Wayland, Morris Plains, New Jersey
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When assembling a layer cake, you'll want to follow these tips for torting a cake.
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Red Velvet CakeOur red velvet cake recipe is traditionally southern with light, tender, ruby-red cakes held together with a rich vanilla frosting.
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Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel IcingI found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because you have to work quickly, but it's so worth it! —Mariann James, Ferguson, Missouri
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Chocolate Hazelnut TorteMost cake recipes feed a crowd. So we came up with this elegant little cake that serves six. That's enough for two…with just the right amount of leftovers! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Black Walnut Layer CakeMy sister gave me the recipe for this beautiful cake years ago. The thin layer of frosting spread on the outside gives it a chic modern look. —Lynn Glaze, Warren, Ohio
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Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Peanut Butter 'N' Jelly Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Peanut Butter ‘N’ Jelly CakeI made this fun and flavorful peanut butter and jelly cake for my son's first birthday. He just turned 33, and he still has to have his favorite treat. Kids of any age have a hard time turning down peanut butter and jelly—especially when it comes tucked into cake and frosting! —Linda Graybill, Sebring, Florida
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Cherry Nut CakeMy grandmother made up this recipe for her children. Using Ozark-grown cherries and walnuts, she invented one they all liked. Granny always used cream from the dairy farm near her home, but the half-and half works well and is easier to find. —Diana Jennings, Lebanon, Missouri
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Favorite Coconut Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Favorite Coconut CakeWhen I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I turn to. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
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Confetti Birthday Cake with Chocolate ButtercreamThis is a moist confetti cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped chocolate buttercream. It's perfect for birthday celebrations! —Courtney Rich, Highland, Utah
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Strawberry Mascarpone CakeDon't let the number of steps in this recipe fool you —it's easy to assemble. The cake bakes up high and fluffy, and the berries add a fresh fruity flavor. Cream cheese is a good substitute if you don't have mascarpone cheese handy. —Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois
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Chocolate Bavarian TorteWhenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
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Pink Lemonade Stand Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Pink Lemonade Stand CakeIf you love a moist and creamy cake, this one’s for you. The lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy, citrusy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it extra pretty. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Carrot Cake with Pecan FrostingMy husband constantly requests this homey, old-fashioned version of carrot cake. The frosting is still tasty even without the pecans. —Adrian Badon, Denham Springs, Louisiana
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Chocolate Cake with Chocolate FrostingI once sent this rich chocolate cake to my kids' teachers, and it vanished, so I had to make another one! —Megan Moelbert, Springville, New York
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Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Lemon Ricotta CakeThis lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Chocolate Peanut Butter CakeDecorate like a professional baker and become everyone's favorite host when you bake this sweet and salty chocolate peanut butter cake.
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Italian Cream Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Italian Cream Cheese CakeButtermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round. —Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri
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Pineapple Carrot Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Pineapple Carrot CakeThis pineapple carrot cake is sweet, tangy, fluffy and soft. It's perfect for snacking or when you want a dessert that isn't as sweet as other cakes or cookies.
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Cranberry Layer CakeI adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. —Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio
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Mama's Spice Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Mama's Spice CakeThis spice cake recipe has stood the test of time and it's one you'll probably hand down yourself.
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Come-Home-to-Mama Chocolate CakeYou'll spend less than a half hour whipping up this cure-all cake that starts with a mix. Sour cream and chocolate pudding make it rich and moist, and chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate make it decadent comfort food at its finest. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Lemon Layer Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Lemon CakeThis four-layer lemon cake uses lemon juice, lemon zest, a sweet-tart lemon syrup and a lush cream cheese frosting to make sure there's a sunshiny taste of citrus in every bite.
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Yellow Cake Recipe Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Layered Yellow Cake with Chocolate ButtercreamThis yellow cake will become your go-to recipe for birthdays, but the tender cake with flavorful chocolate buttercream is truly perfect for any occasion. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Hummingbird Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Hummingbird CakeThis impressive hummingbird cake is my dad’s favorite, so I always make it for his birthday. It makes a memorable dessert for any celebration and is lovely with a summer meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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If you like trying different cake recipes also try making Faith Hill's coca-cola cake and Ina Garten's mocha chocolate icebox cake.
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Spiced Devil's Food CakeOne of my mom's friends gave her this recipe when I was a child and it has been a family favorite ever since. When your "chocolate sweet tooth" acts up, this really hits the spot! —Linda Yeamans, Ashland, Oregon
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Pumpkin Pie Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Pumpkin Pie CakeMix boxed cake mix and pureed pumpkin to get this moist, flavorful cake. The frosting is a simple mix of vanilla frosting and cinnamon and you'll want to make this cake on repeat.
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Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache CakeThis decadent cake is what every chocolate lover dreams of!
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Almond Joy Cake Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home
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Contest-Winning Chocolate Potato CakeI won grand champion honors in a potato festival baking contest with this moist chocolate cake. The icing recipe can be doubled if you have a real sweet tooth. —Catherine Hahn, Winamac, Indiana
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Maple Walnut CakeThis maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors my grandpa, who used to make maple syrup. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York
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Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Cinnamon FrostingMy mom made this for me, and one bite can completely take me back to my childhood. You can easily convert it into a great carrot cake recipe: just use grated carrots in place of pumpkin and add raisins. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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Million Dollar Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Million Dollar CakePineapple and mandarin oranges give this easy cake a refreshing, tropical twist. With cake mix and pudding mix as ingredients, it is a breeze to put together when you're short on prep time. Plus, it needs to chill before serving, so it's a perfect make-ahead dessert for potlucks and parties! —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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