How to Get Flat Cake Layers

How to Get Flat Cake Layers
Blog post with all the instructions: preppykitchen.com/how-to-get-...
Few things frustrate me more than domed cake layers with burnt edges. I make cakes QUITE often so you can imagine I like things to go smoothly especially since I’m usually filming and sharing the results. When I first started out my cakes had a very “home made” look about them, the corners were rounded and they often sagged at the edge or even drifted off to one side. The taste was good but appearances matter so I would have to trim the top off of my domed layers to get a flat top but then you end up with extra cake and lots of crumbs! Eventually I realized the problem wasn’t with the recipe but the bake itself.
When you bake cake layers the outside heats up and baked more quickly than the center, which is insulated by the rest of the batter surrounding it. So basically the outside of the cake layer bakes first; the inside of the cake layer has more time to rise and by the time the inside is set and baked through the outside is starting to dry out and burn. This is why you see so many cakes with dark edges which are not pillowy soft.
Here's a link to buy the cake strips I use if you want to pick up a set: amzn.to/2LJdUDu
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[@Chris-eo5zs]

I used to be a chef in fine dining for 10 years, and this is the first I'm hearing about cake strips. Superb! Every day is a school day.

[@sureshkumarbhatia3691]

Chris did it work?

[@laurenbray8314]

Same here. I've worked in kitchens cooking and baking and never knew about them.

[@gbrown744]

I use this idea. Can't remember where I first saw it. But I fashioned my own.. I'll buy the strips if I can find them.

[@ainsleyhart1394]

Yes it works :)

[@shamimaakter917]

@@ainsleyhart1394 will it work if I use aluminum foil strips?

[@elliotbennett3917]

How has nobody, no show, no yt channel (except this one), no book, recipe EVER said ANYTHING about cake strips? In fact they all say to “cut the top off to make it flat”… WOW. so simple easy and makes it so much better. THANK YOU!

[@clutch236]

Don't you just hate that, and wonder ("what's really going on here?")🤔

[@milkjugs4771]

@@clutch236 there's nothing going on. Professional bakers don't use them because it's just an added step that wastes time when you're baking 100s of cakes per day. Plus they tend to use up all the scrap from cutting cakes. Makes sense we dont' hear about it that often bc it really only makes sense for home cooks

[@clutch236]

@@milkjugs4771 Good points, but if you're demonstrating to & for home cooks, it should certainly be part of the lesson.

[@debbieriddle9429]

I made cake strips today for a 5 layer Birthday Cake. I did the wet paper towels wrapped in aluminum foil. I used 9 inch pans. These were The prettiest cakes I've ever made. No Dome on top, completely flat and soft. I'll never bake another cake without doing this. Thank you for the tip and instructions!

[@jeanavery925]

Thank you for correctly referring to the meal wrap as aluminum foil…not tin. I am surprised that a former science teacher would confuse those two totally different elements.

[@nybgul1]

Could we try the same with a silicon mould?

[@orolab1]

Srsly, this dude’s hero! Even that easy vanilla cake!

[@GiselPerez-ww9gd]

Can I reuse the same aluminum foil strip for two cakes back to back ?

[@nikkigutman1397]

My mom has baked cakes longer than I have been living, and I'm 43. She used old worn out bath towels cut the long way, into 6" strips. She wet them, fold the strip in thirds and kept it in place with a clothes pin.

[@miar2283]

Nice! What a great way to repurpose old towels!! 😀

[@DeerlyMusical2]

I'd be willing to provide a loving home for the domed cake.

[@hope4421]

DeerlyMusical2 loool

[@aggie47]

🤣

[@suzanneevans4551]

Me too! I will just flip it over!🙄More frosting!!!

[@dannas300]

LOL

[@tashasmith43]

Difinately going tontrybthis

[@singingsuga]

0:20 "...without having to cheat and pour sugar water on top.. I don't do that because my cakes are moist" ooooohhh shade 🤣💕💕💕

[@Anitaj70]

Lmao

[@selenemariscal5475]

Jajajja omg

[@practicalvoice1220]

It is soooooooooo true A L O T of bakery do this,

[@sharondiane227]

@@practicalvoice1220 wow really I never knew this.. now I'm intrigued and have to look this up

[@practicalvoice1220]

@@sharondiane227 sugar water or syrup as some of them say makes box cake soft, adds moisture. Modern day bakers for you.

[@shamikadesilva7097]

Just baked the happiest looking cake I have ever baked, using the tin foil method. I am new to cake decorating and was struggling with cake levelling and trimming. Now I can move forward with decorating my daughter's birthday cake with confidence. Thank you so much!

[@gom3598]

I have been baking for 50 years now and use my own strips of terry cloth towel. I just cut up old towels, as needed, wet and squeeze out excess water and then I use long pins to pin/secure the overlapped end. Works like a charm and it's pretty much free--just use old towels!

[@orscrub3161]

G OM………i’ve been doing the same thing for years!

[@roadhouse_blues8081]

Do you put the wet towels in aluminium foil as shown the video? Or just use it directly on the sides?

[@orscrub3161]

@@roadhouse_blues8081 ……….no foil here. wet towels directly on the pans.

[@jvallas]

You are the reason I looked through the comments - was wondering if there was any hazard to that, and also if cloth needed to be wrapped in foil. Thanks!

[@angelprincess9428]

Am I the only person who never heard of the cake strips!!!! 😅😅

[@tashas4241]

Tho is the first time I'm hearing about this. I'm tempted to check my local stores to see if they have them.

[@sadolan1]

Rose Levy Beranbaum advocates for them (her own brand) in her 1988 book on cake baking. After reading Rugula Ysewijn's amazing book on puddings (2016), it seems like cake strips are a variation on the very old technique of surrounding delicate or dense ingredients with a pastry crust--that was often disposed of and not eaten--to protect them and encourage even cooking when using high or uncontrolled heat. It seems that with relatively controllable heat and a wide choice of material for baking tins, there should be other ways around this. Admittedly, my cakes have domes and I just eat them that way (or slice them for layers and flip the top), but no longer!

[@LNSMITH-iq6ye]

Yes, yes u are

[@goofygalno1]

hahaha Nope... I have been in the dark about this little tip. :) I have got to try this when I make a cake next time. I am making a cake for a friend of mine and I want to try it with a half sheet pan.

[@liamgarcia4630]

Don't worry we came from the same cave.. 😅😅😅😅😅

[@sandrabaker5298]

I have been baking for 43 years, and I have never heard of cake strips!! AND I’m here to tell you, domed cakes have really been an aggravation to me! I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your knowledge and the fact that you shared it with us!!! Keep it coming! 🍰🧁

[@clarkclarke]

Me neither...my mom is going to be like what??? She is in her 70's and have been baking all my life and in have NEVER heard of this ...will definitely give it a try ..

[@blokeabouttown2490]

Your surname is Baker and you have been baking cakes for 43 years, that is wonderful!

[@jamiephillips4854]

Never heard of them either .. honestly I never mind the “crust” on the cake sides, or the dome top ... This world of overly perfect Martha Stewart looking everything sometimes is just a little unrealistic to me

[@MsMarla]

My mom baked cakes all my life, we used to flip the cake after it coola down to decorate it🤔 lol trying this method for my next batch.

[@calimntgirl34]

I too have been baking for over 20 years...and have never heard of this! So excited to try it!

[@lindax5419]

This video inspired me to try the Wilton cake strips and they do work really well. However, watch out as where the strips overlap on a smaller cake tin, the cake is less cooked as this part was double insulated with the strips. To rectify this, I didn’t dampen the part of the strip that would be overlapped and it did help create a more even bake all around the cake.

[@parveendosanjh7195]

Thank you so much sweet pea xx

[@1toshi32]

I guess that would be the same for the foil strips too. Thanks for that sage advice. Really helpful.

[@evettc7887]

Good tip I'll try and remember that thank you.

[@deloraaustin4507]

Maybe Wilton will have a PKG of a regular band with a smaller band available along with just the smaller band for those who have already purchased the regular band. Also one for a rectangular pan would be good as I make alot of the rectangular cakes.

[@linamarie84]

They shouldn't overlap if you're measuring the circumference of the cake pan.

[@cromptonenator]

I love how you put both Imperial and metric measurements. Makes it so much rather easier for us Europeans!

[@tom_something]

I never bake cakes, but I still think it's weird that after 33 years on this planet I have never heard of cake strips. They seem so useful.

[@sugarpop7377]

Tom Haflinger I suppose many of them don’t know or they don’t want to tell you .

[@tom_something]

Anyone unfortunate enough to sample my baking would know it'd take more than some soggy strips of cloth to turn me into a contender.

[@wizpro]

Tom Haflinger They are!!!

[@urbanuptowner8334]

I have to agree with you. And I used to work with a bakery.

[@ashleyfalcon125]

Tom Haflinger lol

[@ayshaamjad289]

hmm ... I suppose all the other professional bakers have been jealously guarding this secret tip coz this is the first time I've heard this .. thanks a lot for sharing 💕💕💕

[@manjirigarg507]

I agree

[@marykroeker4230]

Manjiri Garg I agree, I baked for ,any years and never have I heard a this tip, I’m excited to try it.

[@Travmann777]

As far as I know, when baking professionally, they just saw the tops of cakes off to get them flat.

[@tanialaing83]

They've been out for about 30 years

[@vukkulvar9769]

@@Travmann777 what a waste !

[@judiengle7179]

I'll be making a fancy cake for my moms 80th birthday next weekend and I'm so excited to try this method. No more leveling the cake layers, genius!!! Thank you

[@angelanderson4378]

I am making a cake for my mother in law’s 80th birthday this weekend too! Totally using cake strips.

[@hanameblue3510]

Cool! How did it go? Was the cake totally awesome?

[@judiengle7179]

@@hanameblue3510 yes it turned out great! Thanks for asking! These videos are MONEY ❤️

[@sydneyhensley4444]

My mom stumbled onto this video and sent it to me. I haven't baked a cake in forever, and we're going to make a couple tomorrow. We've gone all out by buying all of the cake decorating supplies we need. It's kind of a big deal. I feel so much more confident after watching this, and I can't wait to see how the cakes turn out.

[@karin4436]

I have never seen someone so upset with a domed cake in my life 😂

[@scrapsandcats]

Me either. I kind of like a dome layer on the top of the cake. The flat squared off corners of modern cakes are kind of cold looking if you arent decorating then with swirls or flowers, etc

[@heididemarco3787]

@@scrapsandcats Same here. But I do admit they look a lot prettier when they're flat.

[@skenney8325]

I thought that's all there was... Now, I'm upset...

[@conniemcdonald1357]

If you baked professionally you would understand. The cake has to be flat to achieve the professional look. I have had to slice the top off for years and you do lose lots of cake. For the home baker if it doesn't bother you then its fine

[@marilynbradley8487]

It makes a difference when you are stacking cakes. It will have to be cut away and unless you make cake pops, its a waste of cake.

[@mondayschild1956]

I made my own cake strips with tea towels and aluminum foil. They work, and you are a ROCK STAR!!! I made a 9" double layered lemon cake tonight. I took the recipe you have for the chocolate buttercream frosting, and modified it to a lemon buttercream to compliment the cake. Divine!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@lastingimpressionsbyevelyn8288]

How did you make the strips? Did you wrap the foil with the tea Cloths?

[@mondayschild1956]

@@lastingimpressionsbyevelyn8288 just the opposite, I wrapped the tea cloths with the foil. I'm telling you, it works!

[@lastingimpressionsbyevelyn8288]

@@mondayschild1956 I'm all confused lol. So, the tea cloth is the outer part? Thanks for responding

[@mondayschild1956]

@@lastingimpressionsbyevelyn8288 naw, sis. The tea towel is the inner part.

[@Pammellam]

Lasting Impressions by Evelynne ::: I just tied a damp tea towel around my cake pan. I didn’t use any foil which I guess would be a good idea as it might hold it there. But as I said I just tied the damp folded towel around the pan and it worked perfectly. The cake did not dome up and it Baked flat. It was very easy.

[@Crusader51493]

The browning is called the Maillard Effect which actually adds a degree of acidity to the cake which like salt can help to enhance flavor. The crunchier texture can also brings variety to the cake. If every bite is exactly the same, then every bite will have less impact than the last. However I do appreciate a good spongey cake I’m not saying it’s the wrong way to make a cake. I appreciate you making this video because it cleared up a few things for me, like how to make a make a cake with several layers without cutting off the top, and how to make a sponge cake. It was an informative and easy to follow video.

[@be.A.b]

The beauty of cake is in delicate sponge. It can also overpower most flavors. It’s only good if the cake features lots of brown sugar, alcohols, and/or strong fresh flavorings. Hipster cakes pretty much. Maillard effect is for loaf cakes and muffins.

[@SandraNLN]

@@be.A.b There are a ton of traditional non-American cakes that are supposed to have the Maillard effect happen, or even be less delicate and more durable. And I'm talking layer cakes, not just tray or loaf cakes. The beauty of cakes is in their versatility and diversity. This is but ONE way to make a cake, and it's a great tip for those who want a pale American sponge ready to be decked out with other stuff. But for example: a biskvit (also called a genoise i think?) is a super spongy cake that NEEDS that crunchy and caramelized exterior on the sides, top, and bottom. It's delicious. Putting it in a water bath (which is effectively what these cake strips are doing) would ruin what makes it good.

[@carlacherry6596]

I’m 58 yrs old and have been making ‘naked’ cakes forever! Thank you for explaining all this!!!!

[@anncawthon9183]

Yes, some cake layers are tastier with a crunch exterior, however, for most layer cakes I prefer to use the cake strips and add texture and taste variety in the frostings and fillings.

[@rubinahafeez5341]

I actually like the “crispy” edges 😅 and I don’t mind carving the dome off bc you can use that for cake pops. No doubt your strip cakes look so next level though!

[@bluebabybirds5634]

I don’t like cutting the dome off because I always make a mistake and then the cake looks weird 😭😠

[@user-dl8zb7wl4o]

When I eat the cake right after baking, I too love the crispy edges & the dome...but when I have to decorate a layered cake I always mess up cuz of them 😭

[@yudhiandDOHA]

@@user-dl8zb7wl4o so its called. Toxic Relationship 😆😂

[@user-dl8zb7wl4o]

@@yudhiandDOHA 😂😂💯

[@melissavance1023]

It's so yummy! And you get to sample the goods

[@itsalljustanillusion9620]

Been baking cakes for 4 decades, and always struggled with "the hump". You're a genius.

[@desxannylovemerre6036]

40 years?!

[@DeeDeeM88]

"I don't do that bc my cakes are MOIST." lmao.. I love the way your cakes look, no cheating ppl!

[@sarahneplevrednav]

the shade ... ;p

[@janetlynn5913]

9)9(op*(

[@Eby98194]

@@sarahneplevrednav Definitely shade

[@mophead7]

Sarah v ik the shadey thooo

[@laurageorge2585]

Yes! This makes so much sense. I am no novice baker, but I am always learning new things to improve my baking game. I've watched your buttercream flower tutorial and now this. My daughter's birthday party cake will be sure to wow!

[@eugenianikitina5962]

I'm so inspired now to make a cake. It's amazing how soft and moist your cakes came out. The water strips are simply genius ideas. Thank you!

[@jamieanan-ua5994]

Im never making my cakes the old way ever again!. Thank goodness for youtube and people like you for schooling us instead of leaving us novices in the dark.👌🖒✌

[@MrsWitherspoon]

😂😂😂

[@ruthannefisher7222]

Preppy Kitchen l

[@missypanda6547]

He’s teaching science in baking....🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 I’m so in love with the peaceful voice of this guy....

[@deepika71088]

Me too 😇😍

[@eveny119]

Baking is science.

[@lilivonshtup3808]

@@eveny119 Everything is science...and math. Too bad I don't excel at either.

[@Lilibear-1]

@Roger Burnett me too he has I'm just better at everything tone lol

[@roxannerose9918]

I've been through multiple culinary and pastry arts courses and not once have I come across cake strips! While I love the caramelized flavor of the crust that forms on the edges, and don't mind trimming down a dome, I'm wholly on board to try this out!

[@lahannid]

Why is this not taught more? This is genius.

[@jawaela]

@@lahannid because browning is what you want to have in a cake.

[@normasanchez5393]

This is the best info ever!! No trimming bday cakes anymore and it bakes soooo much better the moist and fluffyness, amazing.. A BIG thank you for sharing!

[@dbarnes66]

I've been baking for years and I had never heard of cake strips until I saw John's video several months ago. Fast forward, I placed an order from Amazon and they were due to arrive the next day. In the meantime, I decided to try the paper towel method. They worked perfectly! The sides of my red velvet cake layers were just as soft as the crumb inside. I can't wait for my cake strips to arrive later tonight. In the meantime, I'm going to put another cake in the oven. Thanks a lot John for sharing this video. 😘❤

[@normalwerido]

How are the cake strips?

[@dbarnes66]

@@normalwerido I like the homemade cake strips much, much better than the ones a bought from Amazon. My cakes are always flat and the outside of them are light in color whenever I use the homemade cake strips.

[@dianettegonzalez4106]

i tried the paper towel method and 8t seems to work but what a hassle trying to get them to fit so i ordered the strips they just arrived

[@StootiBDutta]

How did you prevent the dome shape? I failed 😕

[@dianettegonzalez4106]

@@StootiBDutta I tried the homemade that works but I purchased the ones in Amazon and still haven't used them.

[@janecotelos2240]

I took cake classes and cake strips were NEVER mentioned! My cakes were always too done on the sides and we were instructed to cut the tops off and flip them upside down. Still the sides were too done. This makes so much sense and can't wait to try this! Genius!!!

[@debramason7237]

And you get can never get it exactly level!

[@gshweta1006]

Me too

[@jawaela]

@@debramason7237 cake leveler…

[@MommyOfZoeAndLiam]

Just turn the oven down

[@ginnymagee7035]

This is awesome! I've been baking ugly but tasty cakes for a few years and finally decided to learn how to make prettier ones. Just ordered the cake strips and I'm really excited to try them out!

[@DorrisDiaz]

I just love the way you transmit your knowledge, and how benevolent you are with your baking wisdom. 😊

[@bethel2000]

Him: look at it.. Me: you are right it's perfect Him:....it looks so sad Me:.....oooo my bad

[@tripletroubletruffle9827]

Bethel Messele wow 🤣🤣🤣🤣😂

[@charit0980]

Honey I'm like that cake is perfectly fine!!! I like that brown outer exterior... love it!!!

[@samiraafonso8783]

@@charit0980 p

[@katherinewu7736]

Lol 😅😂😆

[@yenisoediro]

same

[@yvonnemuthoni2287]

I tried the foil and paper towels and it works perfectly! Thank you 😊

[@abrieloomis2568]

Does it work with parchment paper at the bottom of the pan?

[@lunetatavita8553]

Is cold water or just tap water pls

[@yvonnemuthoni2287]

@@lunetatavita8553 just tap water

[@mezmur6614]

Thanks

[@yvonnemuthoni2287]

@@abrieloomis2568 when I use parchment paper it still rises much more in the middle. I understand that the rising is because the cake closest to the side of pan cooks faster than the middle that is why the middle rises higher

[@kimberlygoodwin5594]

Thank you so much for sharing. I made my own strips with foil as you suggested and I’ll never make a cake without cake strips. Absolutely beautiful! Thank you

[@Vee_TheWorshipper]

From what I see, the paper towel and tin foil cake turned out best. That's definitely the one I'll be using henceforth. Thank you so much for this, you're a gem

[@aras00678]

I was given the cake strips as a gift from my daughter. I could never imagine what they were for! Thank God I have a great instructor!! hahaha

[@GrowRoots23]

When I saw this, I immediately went on Amazon and bought the Wilton cake strips! I had a chance to try them today, and they are game changers!!! First, the cake absolutely comes out flat! Second, I think it also rises higher. Third, it's SO much more moist and spongey than before. Absolutely delicious! The ONLY downside, was that it was so moist and spongy that it was harder to transport, harder to frost because it was so soft and delicate. Next time, I will freeze the cake before frosting it. I'm so glad I saw this!!

[@foziaahmed1305]

Did you use the same recipe? Does it get hard after refrigerating?

[@AS-ft8wi]

Maybe the cake strip was too moist. You can try wringing out more water from the cake strip next time. It's just a thought, but I'm not sure.

[@masumasultana826]

Did you try keeping it in the oven a few minutes longer? He mentioned that a few extra mins might be needed if using a cake strip

[@gregbythesea]

IMHO: If the batter has butter ... you wouldn't need to freeze just refrigerate until the butter in your cake hardens a bit. not sure, but I'd try that before freezing which may effect texture and/or taste.

[@kettycervantes507]

@@gregbythesea I use to work for an airport food vendor and some of the individual bread and cake product would arrive frozen(and keep that way for many days), once thawed out they were perfectly moist, but once refrigerated they would start to dry out you could feel/taste the difference after a day

[@esmeraldateresahernandez-p5165]

Thank you for this great tip!! This reminded me of my grandmother when she would butter and flour the cake tin. I used my own make shift foil and paper towel wrap to keep the cake moist and you were right! It made a big difference! My 4 year old daughter randomly wanted an Oreo cake and it was a great opportunity to try this cake hack! Thank you so much!

[@_Gaby_950]

You're such a good mom if you're so happy to grant your babies' culinary desires. God bless your family!

[@esmeraldateresahernandez-p5165]

@@_Gaby_950 thank you!

[@ashleyguthrie3731]

You’ve just changed my whole life. And I’ve watched other videos & no one has explained what cake strips do & why cakes dome so clearly where I actually understand before!! Thank you!!

[@meliakiwa]

"I don't do that cause my cakes are moist". lovin the sassy, *snaps

[@mophead7]

The shade

[@ishbelwillow321]

@@mophead7 XD I also watch How to Cake It ( who is also brilliant) but she uses simple syrup on her cakes and immediately thought of this 🙈

[@naturalhealer5291]

@@ishbelwillow321 that’s who I thought of too 💀. 🌴🌴☕️

[@ohcliff1030]

@@mophead7 Spoken like a true Queen!👸🏽

[@ohcliff1030]

@@ishbelwillow321 I like her style too, but if you have a good recipe you don’t need the syrup!

[@mervat9816]

I baked a cake last night and used the foil method, this cake usually takes an hour to bake, and it always comes out dry, I can't tell you how much I was pleased with how moist and pillowy my cake came out with soft edges as will, so happy and thanks for the alternative methods!!

[@idadelucia7779]

All these years I never knew that a cake could be made so nice. Thank you for sharing this.

[@cathyleonard6032]

I love the dark kinda hard sides. It’s a great contrast to the moist interior.

[@fordictionclass]

I'm torn. I've used the cake strips a few times, and the cakes come out great, but then you don't get the part you cut off from the domed top. I miss the scraps...

[@carlosbernardo1074]

I guess this is highly suggested for people who sell their cakes haha I mean the whole family would be sick, force feeding themselves with scraps from about 10 cakes per wk

[@JoieNwobi]

you can use the cut off part to decorate your cake

[@tiffanymykie9320]

I usually use the cut off part to make cake pops

[@judyfleming7357]

but then if you bake for customers and cut off the dome, then they are not getting their whole cake. This way they are getting actually all of their cake that was baked.

[@cwigingtonjr]

Judy Fleming they don’t care about that nor do they every think/question that. They will care about how level their cake is.

[@user-go7hd8jq6f]

You can really tell he was a science teacher. I’ve only ever heard my science teachers/scientists use control variables

[@anikasamuel431]

Ikr....i was shook when he said control

[@annumahil]

Sure it looks like. Style of demonstration too says that. Another science expert out of the whole KZbin channels is "Bincy Chris", baking videos, explains in the scientific way.👍

[@slp1802]

Is he seriously a school teacher?

[@slp1802]

I meant that in a positive way... those kids would be lucky to have him!

[@themidnighttruthseeker1549]

Wish my science teachers were awesome bakers!!!

[@vizzini2510]

Outstanding! I have been baking, and watching baking shows, for 50+ years, and I have never seen anybody use cake strips. It makes perfect sense.

[@troublee2]

I appreciate that you took the time to show us how the cake turned out with the homemade cake strip too

[@eugeniawebb-riggins7283]

Thank you for this. I never heard of cake strips. I will be adding them to my baking accessories. You are so cute. Your Mom must be proud of you.

[@rachaelriddle5872]

Wow!!!! Where has this video been all my life!!! I did the tinfoil/paper towel version and it worked like a charm! Making a cake for my twins who will be 10 on June 1st. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@lilmizlovely5866]

My bday is on June 1st too! 😄

[@Salanan]

My baby's birth is today and I'm was thinking of making two rounds and stacking them instead of doing a flat cake. I've never stacked two rounds together, do I need support for two nine inch rounds this height?

[@rachaelriddle5872]

@@Salanan I don’t believe so. I’ve done a small 3 tier without using any supports. :)

[@dianeakers4554]

Oh WOW, have watched baking shows forever, never heard of this technique. Hallelujah, thank you!!

[@donnaskaggs1]

I’ve been baking for 50 years & never heard of this! Thank you!!

[@valentinacastrogonzalez4388]

Omg this will be sooo useful! I was always so annoyed by my domed cakes or the little crumbs mixing with the buttercream when cutting the top off! My virgo feelings can rest in peace now

[@whitealliance9540]

Virgo sucks. Scorpio is the best. Bow down

[@Gabriellaella23]

I'm a Virgo and I'm so happy I found this video. I'm literally about to make a layer cake. I'm going to go make these strips now.

[@kirttnabala2385]

@@whitealliance9540 YESSS PREACH SISTER

[@maysk.5998]

@@moose8846 literally like wtf

[@valentinacastrogonzalez4388]

@@moose8846 nothing, but it is believed that virgos are perfectionist and John Kanell (who's also a virgo) refers to that in this video. It was just a joke

[@TruthSeekerNC]

I Hate those domes! I never knew there was a way to stop them. Such a great tip. Thank you for sharing!

[@Serai3]

I stopped hating them when I got my dome cutter from Wilton. But this is definitely an easier way to deal with the problem!

[@Maya-pi3yf]

I hate the domes too but when i level a cake i like eating the top of it

[@FAITHWEAVER38]

I used the wet paper towels inside the foil, around my pan and they came out perfect! Thanks so much for sharing this great tip!!!

[@shanraye124]

Ur hacks and recipes never fail me. It's always a success whenever I follow the instructions. Thanks so much

[@spacedust4931]

I literally never heard about cake strips before watching your videos!

[@MahHairChronicles]

Preppy Kitchen: When you don't have the strips, you get that dome. Such a waste! Me: *shoving face with dome scraps* Waste? But, seriously, this is such a good tip that I'm going to use with my cakes from now on. *update* Tried it. Amazing!

[@JesusMoreno-jq8ys]

Nice

[@cs5619]

Which option did u use The foil method or the actual cake strip method?

[@MahHairChronicles]

@@cs5619 I used the foil.

[@mitziew4367]

I absolutely love the strips! Works perfectly everytime as shown here. I put them together as well to wrap a very large oval pan. I use tin foil/paper towel around my odd shaped Bundt cakes. These things last forever. If you notice in his videos, his are dark dark brown. They started out purple when new

[@jdee4956]

I have been baking for 40 years and have never heard of a cake strip. Delighted to learn something new!

[@LOL_bye]

EVERY BAKER NEEDS TO SEE THIS!!!! WE'VE BEEN LIVING A LIE!!! CAKE LEVELING IS OFFICIALLY SOMETHING OF THE PAST🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@margaretrees8662]

I am trying this tomorrow so maybe I will be converted

[@judyfleming6269]

Pretty much every baker knows this (professional bakers) but imagine making hundreds of cakes (you will certainly have more than a few pans.) and having to have numerous cake strips. A baker will more often than not, level the cake and then use the extra cake for other thing (such as baking and using for crumbs around the cake) or for other desserts. It's faster for a professional baker to just level the cakes (with a cake leveler)

[@mercuryMAYAN]

Let the church say... "AMEN, AMEN, AMEN"! HALLELUJAH!

[@gladysbrittain1466]

@@mercuryMAYAN extra cake makes great cake pops we got those strip about 20 yrs ago when I took a cake decorating class

[@lutalassard]

I love the tip for avoiding the dome, wonderful for layers...but who doesn’t love that browned and slightly crunchier outer edge?? LOL

[@yasminpiresf]

So true! I understand his point specially for professional purposes, but come on...

[@taylorh1287]

On pound cakes especially I love it....but for birthday and wedding cakes it's a no go

[@shalibakes8440]

Agree!!!!!

[@AoifeNic_an_t-Saoir]

I realise that I’m in the minority here but I hate a brown, crusty edge!! Yuck, even if I’m just making it for my family I don’t want to see it. This is a game changer for me! 😍🥰😘

[@Betchawonder22]

I don't.. Only on brownies

[@billlee536]

I’m in love with all your baking, recipes and channel !! Just found it a week ago, made the peanut butter bars, no bake….came out great 👍 Now am going to start following your cake designs….LOVE YOU !! THANKS 🙏

[@Sulamintun]

You're a saviour! No more cake waste. Thank you. THANK YOU. You have my millions gratitude. Cheers to the Fluff! 😇🍰🥂

[@SomaKitsune]

Wth this was randomly suggested to me by KZbin and it's the coolest thing I've seen all year.

[@rudolphjackson9496]

OK, we need to talk. I’ve watched every cake-making video from here to the moon, and this video is awesome. Thank you for sharing your expertise. I’m flabbergasted. Downright flabbergasted. I screamed when you flipped that perfect cake out of your pan, sir. Your techniques have forever changed my cake game. Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[@Hallerlale]

Flabbergasted? What does it mean? 😅

[@arlenewalker9229]

I'm going to try. Did you use regular flour or cake flour?

[@kaylacartergraphics120]

@@Hallerlale astounded, surprised, shocked

[@anncawthon9183]

Love your cake strips suggestion. Always makes beautiful layers with soft edges that don't require trimming. I now use cake strips for my cheesecakes as well. Amazon has strips that fit various sizes of spring form pans. Thank you, John.

[@zeratul____1228]

That is amazing, I never realised how deceptively simple this is to keep a cake flat

[@jessicalugay25]

Am I the only one that love the brown part of cake?

[@MaccaLives]

The crispier the better! Absolutely love that caramelisation.

[@lisai2110]

No. I love that part

[@camillegpl7229]

Me too 🤤❤

[@kaythevenet]

Definitely love it. I am glad to know how to make flat cakes for layer cakes, but other than that, please give me the crisp, golden and caramelized.

[@TeresaNTaylor]

I think that’s the best part of the cake.

[@dayflaubert]

Thanks for sharing! For people saying they like the brown parts: yes, they sure taste good, but for professional purposes, mainly if you bake sponge cakes that will be filled with frostings, creams, ganaches etc and will be in a refrigerator to sell pieces to the clients, the worst thing are BROWN edges. They will be so hard. In Brasil when we dont want that, generaly we have to cut this part off.

[@kerrylightner8112]

@@Streamjihyosolokillinmegood Portuguese is the main language of Brazil. In Portuguese the proper spelling is with an -s, so: BraSil.

[@mygirldarby]

If you don't want brown edges and forgot or don't use cake strips, you can wrap the cake layer in plastic wrap as soon as it is cool enough to handle, and put it in the fridge. The sides will be soft with no hard brown edge

[@yangerjamir0906]

@Amelia Hussain, and that's why, one should not try to be a smartass.

[@valvieira9808]

I tried this tonight, and I’m ecstatic with the results!!!! The cake is so beautifully done so moist and I’m so excited lol thank u so much!!!!

[@malamutessunnylucy228]

Great trick with the wet towel! I tried it a few days ago and it's amazing!!! Thank you for your informative videos

[@ayekyaw6096]

That tip was amazing. It made a big difference for my red velvet cake. I made it with a soaked cloth inside aluminium tin foil as you suggested and wrapped around the cake mould. Thank you for sharing it, John.

[@kathywilson8412]

I like Preppy kitchen videos I took his suggestion on cake the wraps HOWEVER .... when you want to bake a cake if you take an empty sweetened condensed milk can fill it with water and place next to your cake pan you will have a moist cake and no rounded center peak ! I chose this size can because it is about the same height as your cake pan. So save yourself time and money sometimes we can over think the simplest things

[@notmarkus]

I usually bake cheesecakes in water baths, but recently I wrapped my pans in wet towels and aluminum foil like this because I needed to make several at a time. Before I found this video, I thought I was being clever. I never thought to do something like this for regular cakes. Awesome tip. Thanks!

[@TangibleTania]

Cake science....wow! I sew and I am going to make my own cake strips! The difference is amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@enlighteneduk]

Thank you for the introduction to cake strips, a revelation! Can't believe the difference they make! ❤

[@Sarahzstuff]

Update: this worked PERFECTLY!!! It was BEAUTIFUL! I am so excited!!

[@sergios.2276]

nekochan109 badass I believe you yo idk why but I do

[@duchesspodcast]

This is amazing....I've worked with so many professional chefs and we never did this, live and learn!

[@ew8381]

Michael Persico obviously not, did u not even watch the video 🙄 they are just not well known. Just because “professionals” don’t use it doesn’t mean it isn’t useful

[@simplebeautybysusie5251]

I love to watch the baking shows and I have never seen a baker insulate the outside of their pans EVER! Even when they show a clip during their intro baking at home or place of business they are not using strips at all! Thanks John, EVERY recipe I make of yours turns out perfectly ❤

[@SandraNLN]

That's cus usually they will put it in a water bath or with just extra humidity in a steam-oven if they want this type of effect. Or else there are a couple other techniques (like lower-temp, longer cook (or even starting from a cold oven) as 1 example). This is a great technique if that's the goal of your particular cake, but lots of large-scale bakers wouldn't want to clutter stuff up with a bunch of fiddly strips. Perfect idea for a home baker though.

[@gloriavela9491]

IVE NEVER HEARD OF CAKE STRIPS UNTIL RIGHT NOW!!! Thank you

[@rnr2304]

I love watching him talk about things my mama taught me so many years ago! Happy to see y'all young 'uns are interested in this!

[@itsjustme5594]

Very helpful video. I'm a baker and have never heard of cake strips. Just goes to show we never stop learning.

[@MarvelousNysa]

Finally tried this today and it came out great! I've been baking for years and hadn't heard about cake strips til this channel. Couldn't find cake strips in the store the other day so I made the foil strips and they worked great, it's made a huge difference in the level rise for the my cakes!

[@deennaemilio]

I have baked for years and bake every week. I do home care and take sweets to my clients. They call me the cake lady. I have never heard of cake strips, and I am so grateful for all your videos.

[@sscott504]

Thank you soooo much...the homemade cake strips worked!!!!!! My cakes were leveled and moist. YOU ARE THE TRUTH!!!!

[@amandabartlett8749]

Om goodness you just blown my mind. I never knew anything about cake strips.. Wow. Just. Wow

[@Vanessa-tm4hs]

I bought the strips last week... Just tested on a batch of vanilla cake. OMG I'm so glad I discovered this video because my bakes have been transformed..!! Thank you.

[@sheila7125]

I had no idea! Thank you for a most educational tutorial. I have always wondered about that dome and thought it was inevitable. Wish I had learned this technique 60 yrs ago, but in the time I have left- my cakes will be better than ever thanks to you! I I will now watch every tutorial you post and have already subscribed to your channel. Masterclass should recruit you if this is an example of your excellent teaching style and your practical and useful info.

[@SunFlower-hh6vd]

God bless you for giving us the chance to learn. You have a great attitude, and I love your videos. Thank you.

[@annaskywords9633]

Thank you so much for this. It's like a life changing tip for someone who really struggles getting those crisp edged when fondant covering. This is a life saver!!

[@xfaroutzx3637]

I just ordered cake strips. I'm so glad to see and hear that there's no need to trim! I hate wasting and it was something that was bothering me as I proceed to start my tea cake business. I can't wait to try them out when I get them tomorrow.

[@neptunians]

wow! Ive been baking for YEARS and never knew that. Thank you so much! kinda changed my cake-life!

[@vanessagray5004]

OMG!!! I’ve been baking for years and have these strips in my baking toolbox! I’ve never uses them! Well let me tell you! Doing my holiday cake orders and I use them on every cake I baked, well the aluminum foil ones because I couldn’t find mines.. No more burnt cake edges 😞 no more cutting them off then adding simple sugars! WOW my cakes came out perfect! I swear I started dancing when i took my cakes out! Game changer! I’m so made I haven’t used them in the past!! I will never bake another cake without them! Went on amazon and ordered 6 of them!! Thank you thank you for the demonstration, thank you for sharing, you channel by far is THE BEST🥰❤️

[@anaisgoutard1424]

I just received my cake strips today, Yay! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in baking. I am a good cook but a frustrated baker. Your videos inspire me and motivate me to better myself in the baking department.

[@sylishacobbs3342]

Thanks so much for sharing. Definitely a game changer. I used you cake strip method and I was so amazed by how soft and moist my cake was. Also, no some or edges. Great technic!

[@caflores1975]

John is so much fun…fun science teacher, and so cute ☺️

[@mariamjallow5909]

He shoulda got paid for that, totally convinced me! 😂

[@Jess-vg5rb]

I have never heard of cake strips before and no wonder why my cakes looks.. oh well.. "sad". Haha. Anyway, thank you for educating me! :)

[@ruedacalle]

I just tried this and compare it too with two 6-inch pans and it was absolutely truth! Amazing! thanks so much for the tip.

[@arpanasable3517]

Really..I cannot thank you enough for this... I was highly frustrated with all the doming n cracking.. but I tried using homemade fabric cake strips..n they worked out really really well.... I've never had a cake so perfectly flat n with a smooth surface...thanks a million...😊