help for a large birthday cake please

[veev]

Can I make a large cake just by baking 2 smaller square cakes and putting butter cream in the middle (as in on the sides) then butter cream and decorations over the top? Or is that a bad idea? I need a cake for 20 and it's hard finding a cake tin / recipe for such a large qty! I would feel more comfortable making a normal size one twice over and trying to stick them together if it is advisable. Thanks very much for your help. I love mumsnet by the way so many hints and tips over my first 4 years of motherhood!

Yes, you can make two and sandwich them together. I've also used a roasting tin in the past for very big cakes. If cooking very big one, keep an eye on it to ensure the outsides don't overcook before the middle's done - put tin foil over the top if it looks like it's browning before it's cooked.

thank you for your reply. Yes I had heard about using a roasting tin but would be a bit worried about the size as you say.

Honestly, as long as you cover it with foil then check that the middle is cooked(skewer comes out clean/it bounces back up when you prod it) roasting tin will be fine. Just need to work out how much mixture you'll need compared to the tins you'd normally use (if this means nothing to you, post back here, there a lots of experienced bakers who could advise)

20 isn't that many anyway (remember you only need a small piece each)

I have a big rectangular tin I often use - it's about 25cm x 15 cm, kind of traybake size - and for eg I used it for DD's party in the summer, baked a big cake iced and decorated with rainbow (that was the theme) and there was planty for 20 party bags.

But equally your idea of 2 x square cakes would be fine. I usually use Nigella's buttermilk cake. IIRC I usually double the amount for this tin (or do I do 1.5 times.....?)

Thanks again for your replies. I decided in the end to make 2 cakes as I thought it would be easier to cut up one to prepare the party bags while they were all eating tea rather than wait until after blowing out the candles. It worked a treat! How funny though as I also did Nigella's buttermilk cake! I did it last year too (just a small one) and I love it. I followed the recipe exactly for the 23cm square tin twice, then just smothered in lots of pink buttercream and dolly mixtures, with some writing icing on the candle one. NOw my dh wants one for his birthday next week (although not pink with dolly mixtures obviously...