Do you dislike cake domes as much as I do?  Don’t answer that, I know you do.  There are only a few occasions where domes are acceptable i.e. cupcakes, loaves, and muffins.

So what to about cake domes? How do you level a cake?

Getting a leveled cake is quite easy. Learn how to get rid of cake domes forever and get a flat cake layer every time.   No more trimming, leveling, or wasting cake and no fancy tools either.

What Causes a Cake to Dome?

Before we get into leveling the cake, why does a cake dome in the first place?

Domes are a result of the cake rising.  Cakes rise because of the leavening.  The leavening is very important.  But, all the magic happens in the oven, as the cake bakes it loses moisture, begins to set, and rises.

Cakes bake from the outside in, meaning the edges bake first, then the center.  When the cake is finally finished baking, the center begins to the dome.  The solution to this to slow down baking by insulating the edges.

As a result, the center and the edges rise evenly and produce a flat cake. Insulation also produces a softer edge on the cake and therefore, there is no need to trim the edges.

This page may contain affiliate links which means that I may earn a small commission if you purchase from any links directed from this website. I only recommend things that I use and the classes I have taken. Wowisthatreallyedible is a participant in the Amazon Services Associate Program. As an affiliate of Amazon, we place custom links in blog posts (such as this one). Thank you very much for your ongoing support.

Common Cake Decorating Problem from not having a Leveled a Cake

Leveling is the main reason cakes look lopsided or worst uneven layers. Have you ever frosted a cake and noticed that it looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa?  I know I have, when I started decorating cakes I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how come my cakes did not look professional. If you struggle with frosting cakes, this post will help.

The cakes tasted great, but I had a hard time leveling my cakes. I used a serrated knife (still do) and eventually a friend gave me a cake leveler.  But, I don’t like to cut off too much cake.

When I discovered I could level a cake without cutting it.  I was bursting with excitement. God has smiled on me.

Three Methods to get a Flat Cake Layer

To get a flat top cake, I use three methods.  Each method produces the same result, some better than others.  However, my favorite is the third method because it uses basic equipment every baker has at home.  My second favorite is the bake even strips.

1. Use the Wilton bake even strips

The Wilton bake even strips works like a charm for a flat top cake.   The bake even strip insulates the cake pan and allows the cake batter to bake evenly, resulting in a nice evenly baked cake.  Bake even strips also prevents the cake from browning on the side.  Which means less trimming.

My bake even strips are well used and works perfectly every time.  I prefer using them over Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Heavenly Cake Strip which never seemed to work for me.  The only issue I have with the bake even strips is the flap on the side.  While you can add multiple strips together for larger cakes, it breaks easily and is very difficult to close.  But, still a great choice.

Tips for using the bake even strips:

1. Adjust the bake even strips to the size of the pan.  It fits perfectly around an 8-inch and a 9-inch pan.  For larger pans, you can use two strips, the loops fit perfectly together.
2. Soak the strips in cold water and squeeze out the excess and wrap it around the cake pan.  You might need another object to keep it immersed in the water.  For best results soak overnight.
3.  Attach the bake even strip before adding the cake batter.  While not impossible, it can be kind of tricky if you place it on later.

Result after using the bake even strips.

2. DIY Strips: Make your own bake even strip using a wet towel and safety pins

If you are on a budget and cannot afford the Wilton bake even strips, you may use a wet towel with two safety pins.  Cut the towels to the size of the cake pans and wet the towel in cold water.  Then follow the steps above.  I know it can get quite costly to purchase bake even strips especially if you need to bake a lot of cake.  This is a great option that works just as well a the bake even strip.

3. Use a wet towel or paper towel and a cake board

This is one of my favorite methods. Whenever I forget to wet the bake even strips in time for the cake. I find that I can always get a flat top cake using a wet towel or paper towel and a cake board (mostly the wet paper towel).

Steps for using this method:

• Wet the paper towel and squeeze out the excess water, but not too much.
• Then place on the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven.
• Make sure the cake board is the same size as your cake pan, then press as hard as you can.  The cake board will fit snugly in the pan, so be very careful because the cake is still hot.
• If the cake board is too tight, use a knife to remove it.  Voila, you have a flat top cake. 
• If you do not have a cake board handy, you can always use the bottom of a smaller pan.  The whole idea is to use something with a flat surface.

• After a wet paper towel and cake board, no dome. 

Please see the video below on how to use the paper towel method.

This method works great for square cakes and sheet cakes as well. 

Do you have a favorite method to level your cakes? Let me know if you have tried any of these methods.  Don’t forget to share with a friend and pin for later.  Happy caking.