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How to Fill and Stack Cake Layers

July 24, 2020 · In: Cake Basics, Tutorials

Have you ever had a fiasco with your cake filling? I have. Between it bulging out between layers or straight up oozing out of the sides because it’s just too thin to withstand the weight of gravity, I’ve seen it all. The thing is, the filling and stacking process is arguably the most essential part of building your cake’s foundation. If your cake filling is unstable in any way it can throw off the entire outcome of your cake, and if you’re anything like me (perfectionistic to a fault), that can be totally devastating. 

how to fill and stack cake layers

Over the years, I’ve come to depend on two different approaches to filling and stacking cakes, since in my opinion, there are two different types of cake fillings. There are stable fillings like buttercream and then there are less-stable fillings like soft consistency chocolate ganache, salted caramel, jam, lemon curd, etc. Whatever you’re using to fill your cakes these days, I’m about to show you my way of filling and stacking layer cakes. Here’s a quick video to show you the methods I’ve come to love before you read all the details below:

Before we move on to details, if you’re wanting to see more Cake Basics videos like this one, you should definitely check out my YouTube Channel and watch more of this series! You’ll even find cake recipes and decorating tutorials there to help broaden your skill set and inspire you. Be sure to hit the Subscribe button so you never miss a new video!  

Before You Start Filling & Stacking

No matter what kind of filling I’m using, I always start by placing a cardboard cake circle that’s the same diameter as my cake layers onto the turntable. Then, place a small dab of buttercream onto the cake circle before adding the first cake layer on top. The little swipe of buttercream acts as “glue” to keep the bottom layer in place.

how to stack cake layers
how to build a layer cake tutorial

Using this cardboard cake circle method not only keeps your bottom layer in place, it makes your cake easier to work with overall and easier to transport from the turntable to a cake stand or box once it’s finished. 

After you’ve got your bottom layer secured to the cake circle, follow either of the methods below depending on the type of filling you’re using. 

Filling Cakes with Buttercream 

Filling a cake with buttercream is super straightforward as long as you’re working with the right consistency of buttercream. My vanilla buttercream recipe is the perfect consistency for filling and frosting cakes as-is, but if you find that your buttercream collapses underneath the weight of the above cake layer and starts oozing out of the sides, it will need to be made thicker. That could mean adding extra powdered sugar to your buttercream or cooling it in the refrigerator before whipping it back up, depending on the type of buttercream you’re using.

how to fill cake with buttercream

To fill a cake with buttercream, simply add a few spatula scoops full onto your cake layer and smooth it down with an angled spatula until it’s about ½ inch thick (or however thick you prefer your filling to be). 

how to fill cake with buttercream
how to add buttercream filling to cake

It’s super important to make sure your buttercream filling is as level as possible, so be sure to get down to eye level and check to see that it’s nice and even before adding your next cake layer. 

buttercream cake filling tutorial

Filling Cakes with Soft Fillings (Ganache, Caramel, Jam, etc)

If you’re using a softer filling, like chocolate ganache, lemon curd, salted caramel, or really anything that could easily ooze out under the weight of a cake layer, I recommend creating a buttercream dam around the edge of your cake layer before adding your filling to the center.

chocolate ganache filling recipe

To create the dam, you’ll want to use a medium or stiff consistency buttercream (these notes after my vanilla buttercream recipe detail how to create those consistencies). Add the buttercream into a piping bag and snip off about ½ inch opening, then pipe a dam around the cake layer that’s about ¼ inch from the edge of the cake. 

piping a buttercream dam on cake
how to make buttercream dam for filling

Fill in the center of the dam with your filling. This method basically gives your filling a nice bumper to hold up the weight of the cake layer, keeping your softer filling nice and secure inside. 

how to fill cake with chocolate ganache
how to use chocolate ganache filling cake

Smooth down your filling until it’s level with the top of the dam, then place your next cake layer on top. 

Stacking Cake Layers

After placing your cardboard cake circle down and filling the bottom layer of your cake using either of the above methods, place your next layer of cake right side up on top. Be sure to get down to eye level to make sure it’s centered with the bottom layer. 

stacking a layer cake tutorial

Then, repeat the process of adding and smoothing the filling before placing the next layer on top. 

how to stack a layer cake

When adding your top layer, flip it upside down (so that the bottom of the cake layer is the top).

how to fill and stack layer cakes

By adding it cut-side down, it greatly reduces the amount of loose crumbs that end up in your crumb coat and final cake finish. 

Creating Structure for Tall Cakes

My go-to cake height is 3 layers, typically 6-inches in diameter. Between the filling and frosting, my cakes end up being between 5 and 6 inches tall. The higher you fill and stack your cakes, the less sturdy they will become due to the weight of the above layers and the nature of gravity. If you want to make an extra tall cake, you’ll want to use the barrel method to add extra structure. This involves adding supports via dowels/boba straws and extra cardboard cake circles to even out the weight of the cake. While I don’t yet have my own tutorial on this method, this is the method I’ve used with success and point readers to all the time. 

Want more Cake Basics? Head here to see all of the posts and learn the methods of caking I’ve come to love over the years. I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

By: Whitney · In: Cake Basics, Tutorials · Tagged: buttercream dam, buttercream filling, cake basics, cake filling, cake layers, cardboard cake circles, fill and stack, ganache, ganache filling, layer cakes, three layer cake, triple layer cake

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Comments

  1. Ghada abdelghani Gaber says

    August 7, 2020 at 12:35 am

    It’s amazing to see how can I do this I like it but I want to now to decorate the cake it’s the better to use butter cream or unther cream thx

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      August 7, 2020 at 10:31 am

      Hi there! I use American buttercream for decorating all of my cakes: https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-buttercream-recipe/ but there are many kinds of buttercream recipes out there (swiss meringue, italian, german, etc) so feel free to give mine a try but also know there are other options!

      Reply
  2. Shanice says

    October 15, 2020 at 10:41 pm

    I love your reading your blog even though I have watched dozens of cake basics videos! I plan on selling cakes (in 2022 or so because I I don’t have the funds) but I always wondered… when you add a filling –fruit based especially– does that mean that the cake has to stay refrigerated?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      October 16, 2020 at 8:41 am

      Hi Shanice! So happy to hear you’re loving my blog and Cake Basics series! Yes – a fruit based filling typically needs to stay refrigerated until the day you serve the cake, although it will depend on what the filling recipe requires. Some fillings (like certain buttercreams) don’t require refrigeration for a few days and can be left at room temperature. Hope that helps and cheering you on in your future cake business!

      Reply
  3. Vicky says

    January 13, 2021 at 3:59 am

    Hi Whitney
    Thank you for sharing the double barrel method that you use for your tall cakes. Once you place the cake board on the top of the 1st tier and you then add the other cake on top, do you just put the cake straight onto the board without any buttercream to glue it in place?
    Thanks
    Vicky

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      January 14, 2021 at 5:36 pm

      Hi Vicky! I always put a dab of buttercream onto the cake board to glue the cake down and make it more secure.

      Reply
  4. Nikki Bernard says

    March 2, 2021 at 10:44 am

    Wow this is so nicely done, not sure what I’m doing wrong, I stack my cakes and then I decorate and the. Put it in the cake holder and my cake starts to split and fall apart, I let my cakes cool overnight before I begin to stack and decorate and still falls apart, idk what I could be doing wrong, do u know what I could be doing wrong ?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      March 2, 2021 at 4:30 pm

      Hi Nikki! Without knowing what recipe you’re using I can’t say what the problem might be. Perhaps the cake you’re using is too dry?

      Reply
  5. Maria Sher says

    April 24, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    Hi Whitney
    Thanks for this article, your blog is really very useful and informative.
    After staking my cake layers when I try to crumb coat they move alot, my layers are not steady. They are not breaking but the move. Do you have any tip.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      April 27, 2021 at 10:13 am

      Hi Maria! If your layers are shifting around while you’re crumb coating, it could mean that the filling you’re using is not super stable. If it’s buttercream you’re working with, try stiffening it up a little more by using less liquid or more powdered sugar (be sure to balance that with a little salt so it doesn’t get too sweet). Once you make your filling more stable, the cake layers shouldn’t move a whole lot. After you crumb coat, try refrigerating the cake for 20 minutes to let everything firm up before moving on in the frosting process. This way, you’ll have a really stable foundation to frost the cake. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  6. Pam says

    June 22, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    I want to do 4 eight inch layers. I’m using your buttercream recipe for the filling and the rest. Should I make one recipe for the filling and the crumb coat. Should I make a fresh batch while it’s chilling to ice the final coat?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      June 22, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      Hi Pam! I would make 2.5x the recipe for filling, crumb coating, and frosting a cake of that size. You can make it all at once. After crumb coating the cake you can leave the remaining buttercream out at room temp covered with a kitchen cloth. You may need to give it a few stirs with your stand mixer before continuing on with the frosting.

      Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    August 9, 2021 at 8:31 am

    I just found you website and have never even attempted such a beautiful cake. Question…I am tasked with making a red velvet cake this weekend. Should I use the butter cream recipe?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      August 10, 2021 at 11:04 am

      Hi Jennifer! You can fill/frost a red velvet cake with buttercream! I’d recommend a cream cheese buttercream (like the one in this recipe: https://sugarandsparrow.com/pumpkin-cupcakes-recipe/) or my vanilla buttercream recipe: https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-buttercream-recipe

      Reply
  8. Heather says

    September 2, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Would I need to double the buttercream recipe for a double layer 8” cake? To fill and frost?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      September 2, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      Hi Heather! I would make 1.5x the recipe for a cake of that size. Enjoy!

      Reply
  9. Sofia says

    September 6, 2021 at 8:08 am

    Hi! I love how it looks the vanilla cake. Do you have the recipe for the cake? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      September 7, 2021 at 7:20 am

      Hi Sofia! I do: https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-cake-recipe

      Reply
  10. Sarah says

    February 23, 2022 at 11:44 am

    Hi! Would you recommend the cake layers being chilled in the fridge before the crumb coat or room temperature? I made your vanilla cake today, wrapped up the layers, and I plan to crumb coat tomorrow (Thursday). I would think colder cake would help, but I wanted to ask!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      February 25, 2022 at 8:29 am

      Hi Sarah! Since the refrigerator tends to dry out exposed cake layers, I don’t recommend refrigerating them before crumb coating. Instead, I like to fill and stack my cakes, add a crumb coat, and then refrigerate. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  11. Marie says

    November 11, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    Hello Whitney,

    I just received my mini (4 inch) cake pans that I am planing on using more often for our family of 4. If I want to do one of your recipes, do you think I can adapt the quantity (for the cake and for the frosting) and just calculate with the rule of three?
    I am planing on baking my own birthday cake this Monday 😉

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      November 12, 2022 at 7:29 pm

      Hi Marie! You can absolutely alter my recipes for four 4-inch pans. If the recipe yields 3 6-inch layers, you can halve the recipe for four 4-inch layers. Enjoy!

      Reply
  12. Simone A. says

    November 20, 2022 at 1:04 am

    Thank you so much for the great recipes and tips, can I use your cream cheese buttercream recipe for filling between cake layers or it won’t be stable enough? I will use the vanilla buttercream cream recipe for coating.
    Thanks again

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      November 20, 2022 at 10:33 am

      Hi Simone! So happy you’ve been loving my recipes and tips! You can absolutely use my cream cheese frosting recipe as filling between layers. It’s perfectly stable as long as you use the block style cream cheese (not the spread).

      Reply

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