Even Out Those Lopsided, Bulging or Slanted Cakes With Wilton’s Cake Leveler
Written: Jun 15 '03 (Updated Jun 17 '03)
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Pros: Gives you an even surface to decorate, easy to use, an indispensable baking tool.
Cons: Needs special storage considerations, must be cleaned and dried thoroughly.
The Bottom Line: Make cake decorating a little easier with Wilton's Cake Leveler!
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| Freak369's Full Review: Wilton Cake Leveler |
Even though I am an avid baker and love nothing more than creating beautiful, creative and festive goods, I always had trouble getting the cake tops to be even. I have tried so many different home remedies – from pressing the top flat to trying to carve off the excess with a knife – that I was growing impatient with designing unique cakes. I'd start off with a nice three inch thick cake and by time I got done trying to even out the top – I'd usually have a small mountain of cake and about two inches of cake left intact. All that was put to an end when I was given the Wilton Cake Leveler as a present from one of my neighbor's. I'd been complaining about my oven and how it had to be the reason my cakes were coming out with large bulges in the middle. When I think of the number of cakes that I tossed in the trash in a fit of 'baking rage' and how many could have been saved if I had this tool – it makes me wonder why I hadn't come across this earlier.
Wilton Cake Leveler 415-815
Resembling a cheese cutter in some respects, this cake leveler can be adjusted to cut any sized cake up to about ten inches wide and about two inches high. If you are working with something larger than that, you can look for the larger version that will allow you to trim cakes up to eighteen inches wide and three inches high [Wilton Large Cake Leveler – product number 417-1198]. Since I received the standard sized one as a gift, I wasn't sure how much these cost and when I found them for about $3.00 I was totally floored – I thought that this cost about $7.00 - $8.00 and would have gladly paid that price for another one. Even if you only bake a few cakes a year, don't decorate other than frosting or just aren't into the whole baking scene – this is a great thing to have around the house. It's made of metal with a wire cutting wand that runs across the middle, small plastic / rubber feet keep it from sliding around when you are trying to adjust the wire and it slides smoothly through a cake. I suggest allowing the cake to cool completely before you try to use this to avoid having the cake split or crack.
Directions
This is extremely easy to use due to the simplicity of the design. Slide the wire to the appropriate size setting – this is best done by placing it at the edge of the cake and seeing what the lowest point of the cake is. Even if you make an initial pass and don't get it completely level, all that's needed is a minor adjustment of the wire and another pass to get it completely flat. Make sure that the wire is locked into place and is even before you start to slide it through the cake to get the best results. If you are trying to make a slanted cake, you can do so by moving the wire ends to different positions. I had the chance to try out this method when making a 'skate park' themed cake a few weeks ago. I wanted to add a few ramps to the cake and was having a hard time cutting them by hand so I baked a small cake in a load pan and used the cake leveler to make angles. When I tried cutting them by hand I ended up with a lot of cake crumbs that would have been a real mess to deal with when trying to frost it.
You can also use this to create layered cakes. While I have never used this cake leveler for this purpose, I can honestly say that using this to cut a cake into sections or layers would be easy. Since the sides can be adjusted to various depths, you can pick the one that works best for you and slice away. Thanks to Epinions member jenskate1 for asking about this in the comment section.
Things To Know
Often times my boys help me out when I am baking for Christmas, Halloween or any other major holiday but this is one thing that I won't let them use. The metal cutting wire could present a real danger to little hands if used the wrong way. Adults should use this with care and always store it in a safe place so that it won't present a danger when reaching into a drawer or cabinet. I purchased a strip of plastic molding from an auto supply store to slide over the metal slicing strip after it's been cleaned and allowed to air dry. I slide the plastic strip over the cutting wire, tuck the edges of the plastic around the edges and store it standing up in the back of the drawer. It might look crude but it makes it a little safer to store and protects the cutting wire from getting tangled with other things stored in the drawer.
Cleaning this after use is simple, you can use a soft sponge to clean the metal cutting wire but I suggest using an old toothbrush or finger brush to get into the corners where the wire attaches to the metal frame. I've never tried this in the dishwasher so I have no idea how it holds up to repeated uses or the drying cycle. You might also want to make sure that the plastic / rubber feet are clean and free of cake bits or you might find it swarmed by ants [had that happen, not a fun experience]. I haven't had any trouble with any part of this rusting or banding but I could see both of those being an issue if the cake leveler isn’t cleaned and stored properly.
The top part of the cake leveler doesn't have a griper surface to it but you can remedy this by purchasing a small rubber or flexible plastic grip and applying it to the top. Most of the time I use the outer sides of the cake leveler when slicing across the surface but for smaller cakes or loafs, the handle portion is the best way to hold and use this.
A very special thanks to Epinions user Badkittym for her suggestion to partially freeze the cake before you try to cut it into layers. I'll be trying this later in the week and will update this review with the results! Thanks Marcy!
The Bottom Line
This makes a great gift for someone that loves to bake and decorate. It can be used to even out jellyrolls, cakes and other baked goods so you will have a flat surface to work with. It's a lot easier than trying to do it by hand with a knife and for about $3.00 it is well worth it. You can find these at places like Michael's or any specialty cake or candy supply store or order it from the Wilton Online Store. For me this has been a real godsend and something that I consider a kitchen essential. I no longer have to fight with my cakes when they come out of the oven to try and get a flat surface, nor do I have to mutilate the tops with knives, cheese cutters or makeshift cake shavers. Providing that you use this with care and clean it properly after use, it will last a long time and eliminate the stress of a less than flat cake top.
As always … thanks for the visit!
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2003 Freak369
Other baking essentials…
Wilton Spatch-It
24 Count Cupcake & Muffin Pan
Pizza Screen
Norpro Marble Mortar and Pestle
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Gift
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