Torting your cake made easy - toothpick method

Today; I'm going to share with you a little trick I use to tort my cakes.  If your new to cake decorating this will definitely help.

First, start by leveling your cake. Check out my post on how to level your cake (I've shown two easy methods)
Flip your cake on your cake board.
Next I start by first deciding how many layers I need for the cake. I usually make three layers with just a crumb coat for my fondant covered cakes.
Then place toothpicks at equal heights (approximately) like so...

Now cut right between the toothpicks. Hold your hand on the cake top, anchor you knife and start turning the cake moving your knife every so lightly. The turn table will help guide you. You can try to be as straight as possible, but if you can't don't worry too much.

I have tried to make sure my layers are uneven so the camera would catch it.  That's my first layer

Here, I think you can see that I have cut three very uneven layers of cake. This is a sponge cake and I have drizzled some simple syrup on them.

Important - Make sure you know which layer goes on top and do not flip them over. If necessary place a dollop of buttercream as an indication. I usually have my plates or cake circles ready and always keep them filling side up. So they just get picked up and place over. (I hope I'm making sense)

I use a zip-lock bag like this, cut a hole at one edge and use that to make a border, once done i just throw it out. (saves me the hassle of cleaning a piping bag)

The buttercream border helps keep the filling from dripping the sides of your cake. Very important if your filling involves jam, mousse etc.

 Start filling in your layers. That's my second layer.  Note how the toothpick are aligned again.

There goes the last layer. Note that once the toothpicks are aligned again the uneven cake layers stack back to an even cake.

Now go ahead a crumb coat your cake.

And there you have it. A cake leveled, torted and crumb-coated.
Below is the same cake that was cut later. (this was my family's Christmas cake)  As you can see the uneven layers don't show..

I hope you learned something. Happy cake decorating.
Veena

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Veena Azmanov
Veena's Art of Cakes Unforgettable Cakes for memorable occasions
Website - www.veenaartofcakes.com
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