TIP: It is these white collars that act as a stopper for the
tier above, but before they become effective, you need
to ‘trap’ them between CakeFrame rods (or in this case,
the adapters/foundations and the rods of the next tier).
Step 8.
I have chosen the long rods to support my second tier
- these go on now. These may be too tall for your cakes,
so always height match as you go. Use whichever rods
suits you best from the different sizes available in the
rod selection packs.
Steps 9a & b.
Next, slot on your 10” covered cake. Because the ‘pillars’
are the next thing to be added to the structure, it
doesn’t actually matter here if your rods sit proud of the
cake surface.
Step 10.
Before we look at the pillars, let’s look at the 8” tier
that will be sitting directly on top of them, because this
tier will effectively be above a space. I find it better to
support this tier with more foundation pieces rather
than the collar system we used on the 10” tier. Also,
because the bottom of the platform can be seen, we
need to decorate this first before adding the cake.
Attach five short foundation pieces to the 8” platform,
securing tightly with the lock nuts. Before you go any
further, check that your structure will assemble easily
once the cake is on it. Try out the 8” platform (with its
foundations), checking that each of the hexagon holes
can line up with the male hexagons on the pillars we’ve
added to the 10” cake. If they don’t, simply loosen the
lock nut on the short foundations and turn them to fit,
then re-secure. Once you’re happy, take if off the naked
rods and decorate it.
Steps 11a & b.
With the 8” platform upside down (lock nuts facing up),
add a layer of ganache to remove the ridges and help
the sugarpaste stick. I have coloured my sugarpaste to
look like stone using a mixture of ProGel colours. Make
sure you leave the four outer foundation holes free
from sugarpaste (the centre one is covered because it is
providing support for the 8” and 6” cakes above it).
Steps 12a & b.
Once hardened, turn the 8” platform over, layer and
fill your cake. I’ve supported this tier with a medium
rod (inserted now, as you build the cake). Again, you
want to height match your rods to best fit your design/
chosen cake. Cover the cake with sugarpaste, leaving a
hole where the rod pokes out of the cake.
Steps 13a & b.
Next, prepare your 6” in the same way as the 10” (with
a collar and rod to trap it in place). Then stack your
covered 6” cake (on its platform) on top of the 8” cake.
Step 14.
Now to cover the pillars! Simply wipe four long rods with
piping gel or edible glue and cover with a rectangle of
stone coloured sugarpaste (a mix of Caramel and Grey
ProGels makes a good stone colour).
11a
11b
9b
10
8
9a
7b
13a
13b
12a
12b
14