How to Cut a Layer Cake Like a Pro

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How to Cut a Layer Cake Like a Pro

Learning how to cut a Layer Cake is a piece of cake using these tips!

For years, we've been cutting cake slices into triangles. Although this tried-and-true method gets the job done, slicing the cake into rectangles creates a more uniform and cleaner presentation. Here's how to cut a Layer Cake with efficiency and precision!

Supplies needed

Serrated knife that is long enough to cut through all the layers in one cut
Tall pitcher filled with warm water
Dish towels or paper towels to dry the knife and wipe off extra frosting after each slice

A clear pitcher filled with water, a serrated knife with a black handle, a white dish towel, and a sheet of paper towel

The cake

A chilled cake is easier to slice!

While we suggest serving our cakes at room temperature for optimal enjoyment, chilling them before slicing will ease the process. Once cut and plated, let the slices come to room temperature. If you need to serve the cake immediately after slicing, start with the cake at room temperature and follow the rest of the directions below.

Image of We Take The Cake's Birthday Celebration Golden Butter Cake. A white layer cake decorated with red, blue, green, yellow, and purple dollops of frosting sitting on a silver holder on top of a white cake stand. A gold fork sits to the left of the stand.

FEATURED CAKE: Birthday Celebration Golden Butter Cake

The first slice

1. Using the warmed serrated knife, cut the cake down the middle. Make sure the cake cuts all the way through each layer using a sawing motion.

A knife with a black handle cutting a white layer cake decorated with red, blue, green, yellow, and purple dollops of frosting in half. In the background sits a white dish towel and a white plate with a gold and white fork sitting on top.

2. From one side of the cake, make a cut at a 90-degree angle from your first cut. This cut will be perpendicular to your first cut, which squares off the cake. Save the “heel” end slices for guests who love frosting and less cake!

A golden butter vanilla layer cake decorated with red, blue, green, yellow, and purple dollops of frosting with a slice cut out of it, exposing an interior filled with white cake and white frosting. The slice of cake sits on a white plate with a gold and white fork.

Cutting the rest of the cake

1. After each slice, dip your knife in the warm water and wipe dry to remove the frosting.

A serrated knife with a black handle sitting in a clear pitcher filled water.

2. Continue slicing perpendicular cuts down the same side of the cake, making them as thick or thin as needed, depending on how many guests you’re serving. When you finish cutting that side of the cake, it's time to start slicing the other half! Follow the same instructions as before. You'll end up with two more "heel" end slices for the frosting lovers.

A slice of golden butter vanilla cake with dollops of green, yellow, purple, red, and blue frosting on top and white frosting between each layer. The cake sits on a silver plate on top of a white cake stand. A pink, green, and black We Take The Cake box sits in the background.

You've now cut a Layer Cake like a pro

Eat your cake and enjoy!

Crumbs of golden butter vanilla cake and a gold fork sitting on a white plate.

Layer Cakes are perfect for any occasion

Now that you know how to cut a Layer Cake like a pro, why not start practicing? Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or other special occasion coming up, a gourmet cake is sure to make the event that much more memorable. We Take The Cake's signature Layer Cakes are as equally delicious as they are beautiful, which will wow your guests and keep them coming back for seconds! With a variety of unique flavors to choose from, there's a little something sweet for everyone to enjoy.

Shop our Layer Cakes here! Have questions for our team? Contact us today, and we'd love to help you out!

Category: Blogs / By: Kevin Petrovsky

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How to Cut a Layer Cake Like a Pro