Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

I’ve got a three tiered fruitcake to put together. Do you have any tips and advice for stacking a very heavy cake – 12″(onto the iced cake drum), 9″ and 6″ – all fruitcake. They all weigh an absolute tonne. I’ve watched your stacking video, but my concern is I won’t be able to use just a palet knife and my hand on the side – I’m going to have to have my hands underneath, but how do I get them out without damaging the tier underneath?

Any tips would be gratefully appreciated!!!!

Hello gayl_e

You could use a cake lifter if you’re not confident lifting and stacking. I can tell though that it isn’t as daunting as you may think. I have arthritis in my hands and find it very difficult to lift. This is what I do. Slide the palette knife under the cake and lift it suffciently to get the fingers of the spare hand under it as support. Place the knife down and use both hands to lift the cake.
When stacking, lift the cake with both hands and bring it as close to the centre of the bottom tier, place the side away from you down gently and then gradually the rest of the cake bringing your fingers toward the edge of the cake card before setting the cake down. If it’s not quite centered the cake can be moved and then smoothed again with smoothers to remove any slight fingermarks. Fruit cakes are extremely strong so you won’t cause any damage even if it comes down with a slight bump. My only concern is how will you lift them already stacked?