Cutting Your Wedding Cake: A Guide To Slicing A 14-Inch Round Cake

Cutting a 14-inch round wedding cake is a tricky task, but one that can be made easier with a few simple tips and tricks. The first step is to separate any tiers and treat each tier as an individual cake. This simplifies the process and makes it easier to manage. Next, it's important to use the right tools for the job – a sharp serrated knife is ideal, and warming the knife before cutting will help to achieve a clean slice. Now, for the technique: start by cutting a centre circle out of the cake, then cut the remaining outer ring into blunt wedges. This method ensures you get the most slices out of your cake, serving as many guests as possible.

How to Cut a 14-Inch Round Wedding Cake

Cutting a 14-inch cake into wedges

To cut a 14-inch round cake into wedges, you'll need to follow a few steps to ensure you get the right number of servings and keep the cake stable. Here's a detailed guide:

Step 1: Separate Tiers (if applicable)

If you're dealing with a tiered wedding cake or a multi-tiered cake, the first step is to separate the tiers. Typically, each tier will be on its own cardboard support, making it easier to remove from the stand. So, start by separating each tier and treating them as individual cakes.

Step 2: Cut the Outer Edge

For a 14-inch cake, you'll want to maximise the number of servings and simplify the serving process. Begin by cutting the outer edge of the cake into blunt wedges. These wedges will be larger than the inner wedges, creating a nice presentation and ensuring stability.

Step 3: Cut the Centre Circle

Once the outer edge is cut, focus on the centre of the cake. Cut a circle in the middle of the cake, about 2 inches in diameter from the outer edge. This will create an inner circle that can be cut into smaller wedges.

Step 4: Cut the Inner Circle into Wedges

Now, take the inner circle you've created and cut it into wedges. Place the inner circle flat on your cutting board or stand. Cut it in half vertically, and then cut it in half horizontally, creating four smaller, square pieces.

Step 5: Adjust Wedge Size as Needed

The number of wedges you end up with will depend on your preferences and the desired size of the servings. For example, with a 9-inch cake, you can opt for 10 wedges by slicing a 5-inch outer ring or choose 6 wedges with a 3-inch outer ring. For a 14-inch cake, you may need to repeat the process, cutting multiple circles to create more servings.

Tips for Cutting:

• Use a sharp slicing knife that covers the entire cake diameter, or as close to it as possible.
• Dip the knife into warm water before cutting to ensure a clean slice. Wipe the knife dry before slicing.
• For moist cakes, use a serrated knife with a delicate sawing motion to cut evenly without smushing the slices.
• Wipe the knife clean between cuts to ensure a picture-perfect finish.
• If the cake is tiered, check with the baker for recommendations on cutting. Typically, you can cut smaller tiered cakes from the top down, removing each tier as you go. For taller tiered cakes, it's best to remove the top tiers and cut them on a table or flat surface.

Now you're ready to cut that 14-inch cake into perfect wedges!

Using a sharp serrated knife

To cut a 14-inch round wedding cake using a sharp serrated knife, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your cake is chilled. A chilled or cold cake slices more easily, especially if it has multiple layers. You can serve the cake chilled or bring it to room temperature after slicing.

Use a sharp serrated knife that is long enough to cut through all the layers of the cake in one cut. A serrated knife is ideal for cutting through softer textures inside and harder textures outside, like wedding cakes. Choose a knife that is a couple of inches longer than the cake is wide. In this case, a 16-inch blade will be suitable for a 14-inch cake. Opt for a thin and flexible blade, with a straight edge to cut straighter lines with less sawing.

Now, cut the cake down the middle with a gentle sawing motion. Use a turntable to rotate the cake without reaching out awkwardly. Keep your elbow close to your side, maintain a firm grip, and hold the blade horizontally to get layers of even thickness.

Next, make a cut from the side of the cake at a 90-degree angle from your first cut. This will square off the side of the cake, creating a "heel" of cake. These pieces are ideal for guests who prefer more frosting and less cake.

Continue making perpendicular cuts down one side of the cake, adjusting the thickness according to your desired slice size and the number of guests you need to serve.

Repeat the process on the other side of the cake, slicing at a 90-degree angle to create two more "heels" of cake.

Wipe the knife between slices with a warm, damp cloth to remove any frosting or crumbs, ensuring cleaner slices.

To really impress, bring a fresh pair of rubber gloves for serving.

Cutting a tiered cake

Step 1: Remove the Dowel Rod

If your cake has three tiers, there will likely be a dowel rod in the centre to keep the layers centred. You may also have one if your cake has two tiers. If you do have a dowel rod, cut the top tier in half, making sure the cut is slightly off-centre to avoid the rod. You can then remove the two halves or cut them into slices to serve to your guests. Now that the dowel is exposed, you can remove it by twisting and pulling it up at a slow and steady pace.

Step 2: Separate the Tiers

Slide a spatula carefully underneath the top tier (and its cake board, if it has one) and move it to the side. You can now choose which tier you want to start cutting first—usually, it's the bottom layer as it serves the most people and is a flavour most will enjoy.

Step 3: Cut 1-inch by 2-inch pieces

Now that you've unstacked your tiers, you can cut your 14-inch round cake as you would any other cake. Party-size slices of cake are usually cut into 1-inch by 2-inch pieces, which will give you rectangular, rather than triangular, slices. This will ensure you have enough to serve everyone at the party while giving them a generous amount of cake.

Step 4: Remove Decorations

If there are any removable decorations, take them off to make cutting the cake easier.

Step 5: Cut the Tier

Take a long serrated knife and cut the tier in an even line, 2 inches (5.1 cm) in from the edge. It doesn't matter which side you start on. A 14-inch tier will divide into seven sections.

Step 6: Divide the Tier

Carefully divide the tier into 1-inch pieces for serving. Don't worry about being too precise—an estimation will work fine.

Step 7: Continue Dividing the Tier

Keep cutting 2-inch deep sections and dividing these into 1-inch pieces.

Step 8: Save the Edges

The pieces on the ends will have extra frosting, so save these for people who enjoy more icing!

Cutting the cake into triangles

To cut a 14-inch round wedding cake into triangles, you'll need to start with the right tools and techniques. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparing the Cake and Your Tools

Before you begin slicing, it's essential to use the right type of knife. Opt for a sharp serrated bread knife or a tomato knife, as these are ideal for cutting cakes, especially layered ones. A serrated knife will provide a cleaner cut compared to a chef's knife, which tends to push down on the cake, slightly smashing it.

Additionally, it's important to start with a chilled cake. A cold or chilled cake slices more easily, especially if it has multiple layers. You can always serve the cake at room temperature after slicing.

To ensure a clean cut, run your knife under hot water or dip it into a container of warm water before cutting. Dry the knife and then slice while the blade is still warm. This will help you glide through the cake's frosting with ease! Remember to wipe the knife between slices to maintain a neat appearance and remove any frosting or crumbs.

Cutting the Cake

Now, for the fun part—slicing the cake! The following steps will guide you through the process of cutting your 14-inch round wedding cake into triangles:

Step 1:

Begin by cutting the cake down the middle, using your sharp serrated knife. Ensure that your knife is long enough to cut through all the layers in a single cut, creating a nice, clean slice. Use a gentle sawing motion for this initial cut.

Step 2:

From the side of the cake, make another cut at a 90-degree angle from your first cut. This will create a "heel" of cake—a special treat for guests who love lots of frosting with just a little bit of cake.

Step 3:

Continue making perpendicular cuts down one side of the cake, adjusting the thickness of each slice according to your preference and the number of guests you need to serve. Remember, the size of the triangles can be adjusted to accommodate the number of guests.

Step 4:

Repeat the process on the other side of the cake. You will end up with two more "heels" of cake on the opposite side, giving you four "heels" in total.

Step 5:

Now, you can adjust the triangle sizes as needed. If you have a large number of guests and want to maximize the number of servings, you can make the triangles smaller by cutting additional perpendicular lines. This will give you more, but smaller, triangles.

Step 6:

If you're aiming for uniformity, ensure that all the triangles are of similar size and shape. Adjust as needed by cutting additional lines or trimming the cake.

Step 7:

Finally, lift each slice carefully with a spatula or cake server. You can now serve your perfectly cut triangular slices of the 14-inch round wedding cake!

Remember, practice makes perfect, and with a bit of patience and precision, you'll be able to cut that wedding cake like a pro!

Cutting the cake into squares

To cut a 14-inch round wedding cake into squares, you'll need to start with the right tools and a good technique. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, remove any decorations, ribbons, toppers, and dowels from your cake. It's best to use a serrated knife for cutting, and have a tray ready for serving. It's also recommended to start with a chilled cake, as it's easier to cut through the layers neatly.

Next, place the cake on a cutting board. Imagine a cross in the middle of the cake, and cut straight down through the center to split it vertically. Then, turn the cake 90 degrees and make another cut to chop it horizontally, resulting in four equal quarters.

Now, take one of those quarters and lay it flat on the board. Cut it in half vertically and horizontally, creating four smaller squares. Repeat this process with the remaining quarters until all the cake is cut into squares.

If you want even smaller squares, you can cut each square diagonally, but be gentle to avoid squishing the cake. Remember to wipe your knife clean between cuts for a neat finish.

The size of your squares can vary depending on how many people you need to serve and how much cake you want left over. You can also cut the cake into rectangles by making parallel cuts instead of squares.

There you have it! A 14-inch round wedding cake cut into squares, ready to be served and enjoyed by your guests.

Frequently asked questions