Best Cake Boards for Tall Cakes (And Why Thin Boards Cause Cake Failures)
- ECBY
- May 10, 2025
- 5 min read
If your tall cake is leaning, cracking, or feeling unstable, the problem might not be your stacking technique.
It might be your cake board.
This is one of the most overlooked parts of tall cake structure, yet it plays a huge role in whether your cake stays upright from kitchen to venue.
I see it all the time. Beautiful cakes. Clean decorating. Sharp edges. And then something feels off the moment the cake is lifted.
Often, it comes down to what the cake is sitting on.
Why Cake Boards Matter More Than You Think
When you build a tall cake, everything above the base relies on one thing: support from underneath.
If the cake board flexes or bends, that movement transfers straight into:
your internal supports
your buttercream or ganache
the pressure inside the cake
That is when you start seeing:
cracks forming
buttercream bulging
cakes slowly leaning
stress during delivery
Early on, I used the same thin boards for tall cakes that I used for smaller ones. It felt logical at the time.
It was not.
This is something I learned after years of building, stacking, and delivering tall cakes professionally - once I stopped compromising structure at the base, everything became calmer and more predictable.
A cake board is not just about presentation. It is a structural decision.
A helpful starting point (before we go further)
If tall cake stability is something you are still figuring out, I have put together a free Tall Cake Stability Cheat Sheet 👉 that covers:
cake boards
internal supports
stacking order
delivery basics
all in one place.
It is designed to help you spot problems before they show up on the outside of the cake.
The Best Base Board for Tall and Multi-Tier Cakes
Use: Masonite Drum Boards (10mm or thicker)
If you are building tall cakes, stacked cakes, or anything with real weight, this is your best option.
Masonite drum boards:
are strong and rigid
do not bend under pressure
support the full weight of the cake
handle transport far better than thin boards
For cakes over two tiers, double barrel cakes, or heavy designs, 10mm thick masonite is my go-to every time.
This one choice alone removes a huge amount of stress.
Avoid: Thin Cardboard Cake Boards
Thin cardboard boards might be fine for:
small single-tier cakes
light sponge cakes
desserts served immediately
But for tall cakes, they are not suitable.
They flex. They bend. And that movement creates pressure inside the cake.
Using a thin board under a tall cake is like trying to carry a bowling ball on a paper plate.
It might look fine at first. Until it does not.
The Best Boards for Individual Cake Tiers
Every tier in a tall cake should sit on its own board before stacking.
Here is what works best.
Use: 6mm Masonite Boards
These are ideal for individual tiers because they:
support weight evenly
do not warp
hold up during stacking
stay stable during delivery
I use these consistently for tiered cakes.
Use With Care: High-Quality Compressed Cardboard Boards
Not all cardboard boards are bad, but they must be thick, dense, and strong.
A simple test: If it bends when you lift it, it is not good enough.
Avoid boards that:
sag once chilled
soften under moisture
flex when decorated
A shifting board inside a stacked cake almost always leads to problems later.
Specialty Cake Boards That Make Tall Cakes Easier
Boards With Pre-Cut Centre Holes
Some boards come with a centre hole designed for a central dowel.
These are useful if you:
use a centre support system
want extra alignment
need added security for transport
They help keep everything stacked straight from bottom to top.
Decorative Boards Are Not Structural Boards
Decorative boards are fine on top of a strong base.
They are for:
presentation
styling
finishing touches
They are not designed to carry weight.
Think of them as decoration, not structure.
Why Tall Cakes Fail When the Board Is Not Strong Enough
If the board cannot support the cake, everything else is forced to compensate.
That is when:
ganache cracks
buttercream bulges
dowels sink unevenly
pressure builds inside the cake
Tall cakes do not fail because they are tall.
They fail because the foundation is not strong enough to support the height.
Cake boards are just one part of the bigger picture when it comes to tall cake stability.
Internal supports, fillings, stacking order, chilling time, and delivery planning all work together. When one piece is off, the cake feels stressful instead of steady.
This is exactly why I created Tall Cakes Made Simple 👉 - not as a quick fix, but as a step-by-step system that shows how all of these pieces fit together calmly and predictably.
Want the Full Tall Cake Stability Checklist?
If you want a simple reference for:
which boards to use
how to support tall cakes properly
what causes bulging and leaning
how to plan for delivery
start with the Tall Cake Stability Cheat Sheet 👇.
It is the easiest way to build confidence from the bottom up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cake Boards for Tall Cakes
What type of cake board is best for tall cakes?
The best cake board for tall cakes is a masonite drum board that is at least 10mm thick. It provides strong, even support and does not flex under weight.
Can I use cardboard cake boards for tall cakes?
Thin cardboard boards are not recommended for tall cakes. They bend under pressure, which can lead to cracking, bulging, or leaning as the cake sits or is transported.
Do buttercream cakes still need strong boards?
Yes. Buttercream is a finish, not a structure. Tall buttercream cakes still need strong boards to prevent movement and pressure inside the cake.
Should each tier have its own board?
Yes. Each tier should sit on its own sturdy board before stacking. This helps distribute weight evenly and keeps tiers stable.
Why does my tall cake lean after stacking?
Leaning often happens when the board flexes or pressure is uneven. Even small movement at the base can cause visible issues once height is added.
Are decorative cake boards strong enough?
Decorative boards are usually for presentation only. They should sit on top of a strong structural board, not replace it.
Does the cake board affect delivery?
Absolutely. A strong board reduces movement, vibration, and pressure during transport, making delivery far less stressful.
Final Thoughts
Tall cakes do not need luck. They need structure.
And that structure starts with what your cake is sitting on.
Choose the right board, and everything above it becomes easier. Calmer. More predictable.
If tall cakes have ever felt intimidating, start with stability - and build from the bottom up.
Happy caking 💗
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