If you have been doing some research in the field of wedding cake recipes and wedding cake decorating you have, no doubt, come across the mention of a “heating core”.

A heating core is a device you can use to heat your larger cake layer up from the center.  It is primarily used to help cook the center of your cake, avoiding over-done edges and under-done centers.  Without the use of a heating core, you may find that your cake edges get done while the inner section is still liquid.

When would you need a heating core?  The use of the heating core is recommended for cakes that are 10″ or more in diameter.

How do you use a heating core?  You want to prepare your core just like you do your pan.  If you are greasing and flouring your pan, do the same with the core.  Place the core in the pan before pouring in your batter.  Pour the batter around the core and then pour some batter inside the core, attempting to have the same height inside and out.

After you bake the cake, remove the core.  Use the cake that was in the center of the core to “plug” the hole left by the core.  When the cake is iced you will not see the core… and chances are this layer will have another layer on top of it anyway.