HOW TO CUT A ROUND CAKE

There are hundreds of techniques, hacks and lessons I’ve garnered over three decades of cooking and baking…and cutting cakes was one of them. There are several ways to cut a round cake, however, I favor the inner circle method. So, just in case you thought you didn’t need that math class…think again. 

Image: Whole cake on a platter 

Photo Credit: Wilton Cakes

When attending celebrations where a round cake is presented: at birthdays and especially the highly decorated and elegant wedding cakes – this is where I exit stage left. Why? Because my heart cannot take what I know will happen next: the staff whisks the entire cake to the kitchen and then returns with brown trays carried high and plates awkwardly piled and then hurled at guests only to see ‘hacked-up’ pieces of the beauty that once was! How can they care so little about what was laboriously considered by a frantic and well organized bride and her team?  A Diabolical Disaster has occurred behind closed doors. 

Image: Round cake with approx 21-2 inch cake slices around the inner cake circle. 

Photo credit: Wilton Cakes 

Not wanting to seem like the ‘Cake Girl’ at all occasions – I sit on the sideline staring at each whacked and mishandled cake triangles, often unrecognizable. No More!

The games have been played, the presents are unwrapped and now comes the best part of any party – THE CAKE! However, if you’re the lucky one who’s been asked to cut the cake, it can be stressful and daunting to make sure your slices are cut evenly (especially when guests ask for a sliver or half the guest requests “the ends!”). 

I’m here to share a beautiful secret strategy. Whether your cake is 8 inches or 16 inches you can easily learn how to cut a round cake into perfectly sized slices to make sure all guests are thrilled when they’re handed their slices! Thank you Chef Madayag! 

CHEF’S NOTES: This method works for round cakes that are 8 inches and larger. If your cake is 6 inches or smaller in diameter, simply slice into wedges and serve.

Ok- let’s begin! 

How to Cut a Round Cake 

Image: Round cake with approx 21-2 inch cake slices around the inner cake circle. 

Photo credit: Wilton Cakes 

Step 1 To Begin: Heat up your knife in warm water before you begin. Allow your knife to sit in a glass of warm tap water before you begin slicing the cake. Wipe the excess water off the knife with a tea towel when you take it out of the water. Re-warm the knife between each major cut in the cake. The warmed metal will cut through the cake quicker and easier than a cold knife.

Step 2: Cut a circle in your cake. Starting about 2 inches from the outer edge of your cake, cut a circle in the center of your cake.

Image: cake slices cut around the 6 inch inner cake circle

Step 3: Re-warm and dry the knife before proceeding. Cut the cake into 1-inch pieces around the resulting outer ring of the circle. 

Image: the center circle of the cake remaining after the outer pieces removed

Image Credit: Wilton Cakes 

Image: Center circle is cut into 12 slices with one slice on a plate slightly off photo.

Image credit: Wilton Cakes 

Step 5: After those 2 inch pieces are cut and served, re-warm and dry the knife before proceeding. Cut the remaining 6 inch inner cake round into 12 wedges (or smaller for those who just want a taste).

Mess-free, nicely presented slices of cake for everyone at the party or wedding. Isn’t that fun! Bet you can’t wait to cut a round cake?

Chef’s tips for slicing and serving a piece of cake!

For dense cakes, rinse your knife in hot water or warm water after each slice to prevent the knife from sticking or tearing your cake (also a great trick for cutting cheesecake).

Use a serrated knife to cut fluffy cakes, like angel food or chiffon.

If you’re cutting a frosted or layer cake, wipe your knife after each cut for nice, clean cake slices. 

An 8-inch cake will give you between 30-to-33 servings

Do you know any cake-cutting tips we missed? Let us know in the comments below.