Happy Birthday has been sung, the candles have been blown out, the kids are now occupied with a game of pass the parcel, and you're left with the responsibility of cutting the birthday cake and loading the party bags, but how do you go about it?
Cutting the birthday cake can feel like a big responsibility, especially when there are party bags to fill, however, I've found a genius, game-changing way to cut a birthday cake which I just had to try myself - and it works! In this easy guide, I will explain how you can cut a cake into the most slices so you can share it with more people - and maybe even have leftovers for yourself.
When buying or making birthday cakes for kids, one of the most important things to consider is how many people it can serve and with this easy method, or should I say hack (yes, it's that nifty), you can optimise the number of portions and might even be able to get more slices than the suggested servings.
For my cake-cutting test, I chose a cake that would serve 16, however by using this slicing and dicing technique, I managed to get at least 18 slices and could have got more if I cut the cake into 3x9cm strips. Tall cakes, like our tried and tested supermarket rainbow cakes, with lots of layers are perfect for this method because you can cut them in half widthways, doubling your slices again. Please note this method is for round cakes only, and may not be as effective with a different shaped cake, like a caterpillar cake for example.
How to cut a birthday cake
To try out this food hack for yourself, all you need is a round celebration cake and a large serrated knife. If you’re using a shop-bought cake they usually come on their own serving board but you could transfer to a plate or cake stand if you prefer.
I find a serrated knife, such as a bread knife is best for cutting cakes but a large, sharp chef’s knife will be fine if that’s all you have.
If you’re serving the cake straight away, make sure you’ve got plates and/or napkins to hand. You could also wrap the slices in clingfilm, tinfoil, or a napkin if you plan to give the cake away in gift bags.
You will need:
- A round cake
- A large serrated knife
Step 1
Cut the cake in half across the centre. Then cut one half into quarters.
Step 2
With the knife at a 90 degree angle, cut each quarter into slices or small strips.
Step 3
Serve the cake and make sure you save a slice for yourself!
What size slice is best for a kid’s party bag?
It depends on the number of slices you need to cut and how big the party bags are. If your bags are big and you’re feeling generous you can use the cake into thicker slices.
If you need the cake to feed more people, we’d recommend cutting the cake into thinner strips, approximately 3-4cm wide. If your cake is very tall and has lots of layers, you could cut the cake in half widthways too.
What’s the best way to wrap a slice of birthday cake in a party bag?
Wrapping cake slices in cling film or foil will help keep it fresher and prevent it from drying out. However, if you think the cake is going to be eaten very soon after cutting, you could simply wrap it in a paper napkin.
A more sustainable choice would be to use something like a reusable beeswax wrap, however, this may need to be carefully considered due to allergies.
How long should a cake sit before cutting?
If you’ve baked a cake and don’t plan on decorating it, it’s best to wait for the cake to cool completely before cutting it into slices. Cutting the cake while warm will result in crumbly slices that will not hold their shape.
Shop-bought ambient celebration or birthday cakes can be cut as soon as you remove them from the box and packaging. If the cake has fresh ingredients like whipped cream, it’s best to remove it from the fridge just before serving. As soon as you’ve blown out the candles and removed them from the top of the cake, you can start slicing it.
Put any slices that aren’t being eaten straight away, back in the fridge. Ideally, they should be kept in an airtight container or plastic wrap to prevent the sponge from drying out too much.
What I used in this feature and where you can buy it
Don't forget kid's party food - whether it's homemade or kid's party food to order, its always best to plan ahead.
You should check out these Frozen birthday cake ideas if your little one won’t let go of the hope for a homemade showstopper. Or perhaps these Bluey birthday cake ideas are more of their style. Or you could cheat and buy one of our tried and tested caterpillar cakes from your local supermarket?
You might also like these first birthday party ideas if this is your first experience of hosting. Plus, we have lots of fun kids' party games to get everyone involved. These 13th birthday party ideas are a great place to start if you want some ideas to impress your pre-teen and their friends.
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