How to stack a tier cake without dowels? What is the best substitute for cake dowels?

Are you planning to make a tier cake? Are you thinking to stack a cake without collapsing? Its pretty easy with cake dowels. Doweling a cake with wooden dowels gives a lot of stability to cakes. Bottom layer of the cake supports the top tier when you place the dowels in between. But what will you do if you don't find cake dowels in your kitchen? 

When to use the cake dowels?

Cake dowels are mostly recommended for the cakes that are more than two tiers. That means if you are planning for three tier cake, I recommend you to use the cake dowels to support the layers which helps you in transporting the cake without damage.

Do we need dowels for two tier cake?

No, two tier cakes or two layered cake or two-layer stacked cake doesn’t need cake dowels instead put extra buttercream frosting in between the layers so that they stick and stand nicely.

What are the different types of cake dowels available in the market?

• Wooden dowels – Thick and firm wooden dowels to multiple tiers.
• PVC plastic straws – Use this for good structured tier cake. Thick water pvc pipes.
• Bubble straws – Thicker than normal straws and cheap to buy
• Plastic dowels – Most cake shops use this cake dowels.

What is the best substitute for cake dowels? Skewers instead Dowels

Yes, I started making three tier cake for my daughter’s 3^rd birthday(Alphabet letters cake). Bottom layer i made with chocolate (with chocolate buttercream ), strawberry cake (strawberry buttercream) and vanilla tutti frutti flavor(vanilla buttercream ).  After making three layers 10-inch, 8-inch and 6-inch separately then i decided to stack them. and looking for cake dowels but couldn’t find in my kitchen.  Then i started thinking, what would be the best substitute for cake dowels. Wooden Skewers saved me on that day to make my cake stacked super perfect. Yes, instead of dowels I used wooden skewers.

How to use wooden skewers instead of cake dowels?

If you don’t have any of these like wooden and plastic dowels don't worry try Skewers. It’s pretty easy to use wooden skewers. Cut the skewers exactly measuring the depth of the cake and insert them into the cake before putting the top layer. Don't forget to follow few tips mentioned below before using skewers. 

Tips to follow before using the wooden skewers to support cake tiers.

• Refrigerate the cake layers before stacking for overnight. (don’t skip this)
• Use the cake cardboard under each layer while stacking. (You can take off after cutting the cake its easy).
• Don’t wet the wooden skewers before using them it will make the skewers to absorb the moisture and doesn’t allow the cake to stand longer.
•  Skewers are best substitute for dowels when you are planning to make only three -tier cake.
• How to cut the skewers for inserting into cake as dowels? Use the knife to cut the skewers exactly as marked.
• Use the cake drum board which is at least 2-inch bigger than the base layer of the cake.
  

  
  Example: if the base layer of the cake is 10-inch then buy the 12-inch cake drum board so that it will hold the cake nicely and easy to transport.

Don't forget to remove the skewers after cutting the cake. I followed the same steps and i transported the three-tier cake to the party hall without any problem. The cake looks perfect and study. Hope this works better and you achieve a good result.