How Can I Level A 12 Inch Round Cake?

by Esther Coleiro
(Sydney Australia)

I want to level a 12 inch round cake and I was wondering if I could use a cake leveller to do it? Do you think a cake leveller is strong enough to do the job? Thank you for reading my question.
Regards,
Esther

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Answer:

Hi Esther,
You have three options when levelling a cake to give it a professional look.

With either method I would first mark on your cake the level you want to achieve. This can be easily done with a ruler/set square and sharp knife.

Measure using a ruler/set square the height you desire from the bottom of the cake upwards. Make a mark at several places around the cake. Then use a tape measure to line up these marks and score around your cake with the sharp knife. You should have a line around your cake at the exact level you desire.

The first option is to use a cake leveller which will work on a 12 inch round cake.

After placing your cake on a cake board, position the feet of the cutting wire into the notches of your desired height. Make sure the legs are standing on the work surface and then cut into the edge using a sawing motion. Gently glide the wire through the cake to level it.

 

The second option is to use a serrated knife. After placing your cake on a cake board, place it on a cake stand so you can rotate the cake as you cut. Slowly rotate the stand and move the knife back and forth at the line you have marked on your cake in a sawing motion. Keep the knife level as you cut to removed the domed crust to give it an even flat top.

The third is to use your cake tin and some cake boards. Place the cake back in your cake tin and place a cake board or boards under the false bottom of the tin. This will cause the domed crust to protrude above the rim of the cake tin. Then using a long knife cut off the crust keeping the knife on the rim of the cake tin at all times. This will ensure you remove the crust and achieve a level cake.