How to level a cake - two methods

One of the most important basics in cake decorating; is to make sure you level and tort a cake right.  As much as it is important it can also be very easy.

Here I'm going to share with you two different methods to get perfect results

.
1st method - traditional method
In my opinion, not leveling a cake right is one of the reasons why we have those bulges around the cakes.
Cutting too high as shown below feels like your gaining some height but your not, your just creating a gap between two layers for air to contract and expand with the temperature.

Find the edge of the cake where the dome is just rising.
Next, Anchor your knife into the cake, place your hand on the top as shown. Keep the knife straight exerting some pressure but not moving much. Rotate the turn table, and let the knife guide itself deeper into the cut rotating until you reach the center.

You should have a perfect level cake. Flip it on the cake board, bend so the cake is at eye level and check.

If you do have to work on it again. Look closely. Sometimes just adding a thin piece of cake might do the trick. If you continue to keep cutting too much you will loose height on the cake.

2nd Method- cake pan rim method
Of course, one of the best ways to level your cake is to bake your cake high over the cake rim (using extra batter) then use the top rim of your pan to cut right thru giving you a perfect edge.

The problem however,  is that most standard cake recipes will give you the exact recipe that your cake bakes up to or below the cake rim. Right?

So it's back to the traditional bread knife. (Oh I do have one of those professional cake levelers but...... old habits don't change).
Here's an easy trick I want to share with you.

Though your cake does not bake over the rim, you can still use the rim to cut the dome off. Here's how.

Find some similar objects around your kitchen, here I have a jar cap, a sauce bowl and small steel bowl. Which ever will work to create height below your cake.

Now place it in your cake pan.

Next, place your cake on top.

Now your cake is high enough that you can use your pan rim to cut the dome off.

 Now go ahead and cut the dome. Like so..

And now you have a leveled cake.

I hope you like this post. Until next time.
Happy cake decorating.
 Veena Azmanov
Veena's Art of Cakes
Unforgettable Cakes for memorable occasions
Website - www.veenaartofcakes.com
Blog - http://veenaartofcakes.blogspot.com/
You tube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/veenamiranda?feature=mhee