I have to make a birthday cake that will serve 30 people. I already have a good idea of what filling/frosting I will be using, what cake base recipe, as well as how to decorate it.
The only open question is the size and shape of the cake base. My 10" round base seems inadequate for so many people, even with 4 layers. I know rectangular cakes are most practical vis a vis cutting and serving, but I feel use of a rectangular base would hamper my ability to smooth icing, smooth batter prior to baking, and do other tasks that require a cake turntable to do well (obviously with a rectangular cake, a turntable is useless, and I'll be forced to do things free-hand), and would also deny me the ability to use my cake ring (although I am looking into the possibility of a ractangular equivalent)
So, my questions are:
1. Can I still get away with using a circular cake pan with that number of people? Do you think a 12" pan would be adequate?
2. I am told that a "heating core" is recommended for use with large cake pans. However, after having seen pictures of these things and reading instructions for use, there is still something I do not grasp about this device: once you remove it from the center of the cake after baking, doesn't it leave a round slice of cake in the centre that will just fall out, like a little cut-out?
3. If I am forced to go with a rectangular base, what's a good size? Will 13" / 7" be sufficient for that number of people? Are there any methods for filling and frosting rectangular cakes to overcome the disadvantage of the inability to use a turntable?
The only open question is the size and shape of the cake base. My 10" round base seems inadequate for so many people, even with 4 layers. I know rectangular cakes are most practical vis a vis cutting and serving, but I feel use of a rectangular base would hamper my ability to smooth icing, smooth batter prior to baking, and do other tasks that require a cake turntable to do well (obviously with a rectangular cake, a turntable is useless, and I'll be forced to do things free-hand), and would also deny me the ability to use my cake ring (although I am looking into the possibility of a ractangular equivalent)
So, my questions are:
1. Can I still get away with using a circular cake pan with that number of people? Do you think a 12" pan would be adequate?
2. I am told that a "heating core" is recommended for use with large cake pans. However, after having seen pictures of these things and reading instructions for use, there is still something I do not grasp about this device: once you remove it from the center of the cake after baking, doesn't it leave a round slice of cake in the centre that will just fall out, like a little cut-out?
3. If I am forced to go with a rectangular base, what's a good size? Will 13" / 7" be sufficient for that number of people? Are there any methods for filling and frosting rectangular cakes to overcome the disadvantage of the inability to use a turntable?
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