Baking Tiers

[Gottalovecake]

I really feel "dumb" asking this question. I know, I know there are no dumb questions, but....

I'm going to bake a 12", 9", 6" cake for the first time. They are 3" pans. Do I bake each cake separately in the oven? When the 12 is done, bake the 9, when the 9 is done bake the 6?

I'll appreciate your response.

[parrolet313]

I think it depends on your oven - I bake whatever fits onto one rack..as I have found if you bake two large cakes on two racks the bottom cake barely browns but the top cake REALLY browns...but again, that's MY oven. I think you could bake the two smaller cakes together, and bake the larger one separately. But that's based on my experience.

[2sdae]

I bake anything over a 9inch by itself, and never more than 2 pans at a time.
Now this is what's best for my oven.
I know the pans are never supposed to touch during baking though.

[Amanda]

If I have a lot to do, I will bake on both racks. BUT, there is a method to it.
I have to make the cake for the bottom rack first (usually the smallest) and put it in the oven for about 10 minutes by itself. I usually make the batter, pan it, put it in the oven and then wash the mixer bowl and utensils, cut the parchment for the next cake and then make the batter. By the time I get ready to put the second cake (or set of cakes) in the oven the first one has had time to start rising. I will also sometimes put the first cake on the top while I'm making the second and then switch it to the bottom when cake #2 goes in.
Hope that helps!

[Gottalovecake]

Originally Posted by Gottalovecake

I really feel "dumb" asking this question. I know, I know there are no dumb questions, but....

I'm going to bake a 12", 9", 6" cake for the first time. They are 3" pans. Do I bake each cake separately in the oven? When the 12 is done, bake the 9, when the 9 is done bake the 6?

I'll appreciate your response.

Thank you to those who have responded. I usually don't need to ask questions, because I usually find my answers just be searching. This is my first time with tiering, I'll let you know how I make out. Of course, this also includes my first time using dowels.

[cak3mama]

I too bake whatever will fit in the oven then I do the rest after those r done.

[jeri]

For cakes 12" and above, I bake by them selves. They cook differently than the smaller cakes. I do bake and have baked up to 4 at a time (they were all 6" pans) but NEVER let the pans touch, I always leave at least 3" between pans so the heat can circulate around them. And watch them closely... if you have a 6" in with a 10 inch... they will not bake the same. The smaller cake will finish first. I never bake on more than one rack at a time... Don't like the bottom cake to be too dark.

[Jazz2U]

Buy an electric pencil sharpener for the dowels & hide it when you're done so no one uses it. My hubby got me "the only one they had" for Xmas & it died about 8 mos. later. I just splurged on a $20 model. One of my favorite Xmas presents though! It saves a lot of time.

I will usually bake a small cake with a larger one & set a timer for the small one & then add time for the second cake & move it to the middle of the oven. I am baking a Wonder Mold and a 6x3 right now. Just took the Wondermold out & giving the other about 15 mins. I only filled the Wonder Mold a 1/3 if you're wonder how I did that. Another Spongebob for the weekend for a 3 year old. I hope the grandfather brings him when he picks it up so I can see his reaction. The grandfather works in my office building & I found out his son was a cop that got killed in my hometown when he walked into a bodega during a robber. I don't think he had his service revolver & if he did, he didn't have a chance. The grandfather & grandmother have custody of the cop's son now. I figured it would make them happy & give them a laugh.

[jeri]

What a sad story!!! I hope he enjoys the cake!!! My son in law is a police officer and I am always nervous for him. They live in a large city so he is in the middle of some pretty sticky stuff. He is working toward becoming a detective so that would be soooo much safer. My hubby has gone on some ride a longs with him and he said he has a whole new respect for that line of work!!!

[blakescakes]

I try to only bake multiples of the same sized cake at the same time because I don't want to be opening & closing the door, or moving cakes around that may not be quite done, in order to remove something.

I've also taken to weighing the batter in the pans so that if I put in 4 six in cakes, all of the batter amounts weigh the same--that also prevents multiple door openings/testings because they finish at the same time.

Rae