These are simple steps that will help you have a STURDY and perfectly stacked cake.
Make sure your layers are level- no amount of frosting will hold your cake straight once you start stacking.
If you have a hollow in one of your layers, fill it in with mixed cake and frosting. NO sunken centers!
I use an apple corer to cut a hole in the center of my middle cake boards so that once the cake is stacked I can stick a dowel down the center for a little extra support. (wrap center cake boards in saran wrap!)
Before stacking on a tier, I cut one straw or dowel the height of the tier, then 3 or 4 more the EXACT same height. Placing these in a circle or square around the center will perfectly support the next level of cake.
Make sure to create a frosting “dam” before filling up the center. This helps keep any filling in and also keeps the amount of frosting level pretty consistent.
Whew! Now the decorating! Go HERE to see what comes next to make a beautiful rose cake! Or HERE for more stacking tips.