Topsy Turvy Birthday Cake

So, here is another great project from FamilyFun.com.  They posted this cake as a nod to a Alice in Wonderland Theme, but I thought it would be a cute cake for any girl's party!

Price breakdown:
$3.00  cake mix (3)
$9.54 frosting (6)
food coloring
straws
disposable cake decorating bags and tips
cardboard circles in 9, 8, 6 inches
$12.54

First mix your three cake mixes according to package directions and bake 2, 6-in, 8-in, 9-in EACH cakes.

Use the top of your cake pans and trace them on your cardboard to make 3 circles, one for 6-in, one for 8-in and one for 9-in.

Next, mix your white frosting with the food coloring of your choice.  I used some fun neon colors.

Next, trim the tops of your cakes off to make them level.  Place them on the coordinating cardboard piece.  This picture is my friend and cake engineer, Rick who did all the cutting (and most of the frosting!) on this cake.

You should have all of this when you are ready to start constructing your masterpiece:

Put a small gob of frosting on the top of one of each sized cake.  Place the coordinating layer on top.  Frost the sides of your layers together with the white frosting.  Experienced people call this a crumb layer.

Ignore the straws, those actually come later!

Next, have your cake cutter, in my case, Rick, cut your layers at an angle.

Now, push three straws in a triangle pattern through each of your layers for stability.  Cut the straws even with the top of your cake.

Next, frost your three layers in the color of your choice.  The picture below is my brilliant baking friend, Stephanie, helping my frost.  She is also Rick's wife :).  I am lucky to know a husband and wife who are both creative to help me in these ventures!

Now, stack your layers (with the cardboard underneath each) on top of one another.

Now, pipe frosting around all of your layers.  We stopped in the middle of piping and put the cake in the fridge because the frosting started to get goopy (is that a word?).  The frosting will stick better if it is chilled (not cold, or it won't spread) and if your cake is cold.  If it makes you more comfortable, chill your cake in between every step.

After all the piping is finished, add any decoration on the side. 

This cake feeds tons of people!  We had 20 folks at our party and it was only halfway gone!  Enjoy!