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Learning how to cut cake is an art and a skill that comes in handy at weddings and birthday parties. You may think you know how to slice a cake but think again!
I didn’t realize it, but I’ve been slicing a cake the wrong way most of my life. Not necessarily wrong, but not the most efficient way. Like most people, I would slice the cake into triangular slices or “pie style.” That’s the way my mother had always done it but then my daughter in law, who is an incredible cake maker and decorator, showed me a better way. I can’t wait to share it with you.
We are going to work with a six inch round cake. When you slice this size cake into triangular pieces, you usually get about 10 pieces. With the way I’m going to show you, you can get up 16 slices of cake. Your cake is going to go a lot further with this method!
How to Cut Round Cake
Start with a chilled cake. A chilled or cold cake slices easier, especially a cake that is three or four layers high. You can serve the cake chilled or allow it to come to room temperature after slicing.
- Cut the cake down the middle, using a sharp serrated knife that is long enough to cut through all the cake layers in one cut. You want a nice clean cut. Use a gentle sawing motion.
- From the side of the cake, make a cut at a 90 degree angle from your first cut. This will square off the side of the cake. You basically end up with a “heel” of cake. These are the pieces you give to the guests who love lots of frosting and a little bit of cake.
- Continue making perpendicular cuts down one side of the cake, making them as thick or thin as you like. Size will depend on how many people you are feeding and how much leftover cake you want.
- Repeat steps, slicing the other side. You will end up with two more “heels” of cake on the opposite side of the cake.
Learning how to cut a cake this way is neater and I think looks prettier and it makes your cake go a lot further too! This method works for a wedding cake, a birthday cake or any kind of layered party cakes. It will give you uniform slices and clean slices.
Cake Cutting Tips
- Wipe off the knife between slices to remove any frosting or crumbs to ensure a cleaner slice.
- Run your knife under hot water or into a container of warm water before cutting. Dry the knife off and then slice the cake while the knife is still warm. It will slice through the cake’s frosting so easily!
Cake Slicing Guide
This guide is based on about a 1/2 inch slice of cake. You can always slice it thinner to get more slices.
6″ Round Cake – 10 slices
8 ” Round Cake – 16 slices
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of knife should I use?
Use a nice sharp serrated bread knife or tomato knife for cutting cake, especially layer cakes. The serrated knife makes a cleaner cut than a chef’s knife. The chef’s knife tends to push down on the cake, smashing it a bit. The serrated knife gives you a prettier slice.
Check out some of my favorite cake recipes:
How To Cut A Round Cake
Ingredients
- 8" Round Cake
Instructions
- Chill Cake
- Cut the cake down the middle using a sharp serrated knife that is long enough to cut through all the cake layers in one cut.
- From the side of the cake, make a cut at a 90 degree angle from your first cut. This will square off the side of the cake.
- Continue making perpendicular cuts down one side of the cake, every 1/2 inch to create 16 slices.
Tips & Notes:
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Cynthia says
Thank you !! I’ll try this and hopefully I won’t get uneven, and broken pieces!
Karen says
Thanks, I have struggled cutting layer cakes for so long!!
Karen P.
Nancy says
This is just the help I needed to stretch a 9” cake for am expanded group. Thank you!!
Michelle says
Love your recipes! I would also love to know where you purchased your cute cake stand. . Thank you!
Leigh Anne says
I actually got it off AMazon – here is a link: https://amzn.to/2B3ywpU