With all of the baking we do around the holidays it is good to start with the equipment we use. Cake pans may be aluminum , heavy tin, or glass. Use the pan size recommended in the recipe. Check the pan size by measuring across the top of the pan. Always use bright shiny pans.
Discolored pans cause uneven browning.
Avoid warped pans. They will bake your cake uneven. Use nonpoisonous leaves like mint or rose leaves. Wash and pat dry. Using a knife, spread a thin layer of chocolate on the back of each leaf.