Have you ever been puzzled about how much cake to order for an event? It’s a common dilemma. Recently, at a double birthday celebration, a mom ordered two 12-inch cakes for 50 guests, based on bakery advice. However, much to her surprise, a significant portion of the cake went uneaten. While extra cake might sound good in theory, it can quickly become wasteful and a hassle, leaving you wondering what to do with all the leftovers. This situation highlights a frequent question: just how many servings can you really get from a cake, especially an 8-inch cake?
Navigating cake serving charts can feel like entering a maze. You’ll find figures suggesting an 8-inch cake serves anywhere from 8 to 28 people, with every number in between also making an appearance! Some charts differentiate between “party portions” and “wedding portions,” adding to the confusion. But let’s be real – isn’t a slice of cake, well, just a slice of cake?
So, let’s get down to the core question: how many servings does an 8-inch cake serve? The answer, as you might expect, isn’t set in stone. It largely depends on how you cut it – both the size of each slice and the method you use for cutting.
This image illustrates clearly how the number of slices from an 8-inch cake can change dramatically based on slice size. These example slices are about 4 inches high.
Personally, I lean towards the middle slice size depicted above, which suggests an 8-inch cake serves approximately 20 people. While the smaller slice on the left might seem sufficient to some, I prefer a more generous portion, ensuring there’s enough cake for everyone to enjoy. The extra-large slice on the right, however, feels impractical. Such large servings are often wasteful, with many people unable to finish them, and they can even look overwhelming on a plate.
Beyond slice size, your cutting technique also significantly impacts the number of servings.
Some people cut a round cake as if it were square. While this method can yield a higher number of pieces as shown below, it’s not my preferred approach. You often end up with several smaller, less desirable slices, and some pieces get an excessive amount of frosting or fondant from the cake’s edges. Although this method might suggest 26 servings, I would realistically still only count on around 20 good servings.
My preferred method for cutting round cakes is using concentric circles. With this technique, you first cut a circle about 2 inches in from the cake’s edge, and then cut slices approximately 1.5 inches thick within that circle. For an 8-inch cake, you’ll typically get two concentric circles of slices. Larger cakes will yield even more. As you can see in the image below, this method results in uniform slices and minimizes waste.
Based on slice dimensions of roughly 1.5” x 2” x 4” and using the concentric circle cutting method, my round cake serving chart looks like this:
In practice, I often find that I get a few more slices than indicated on the chart, as my cakes are typically a bit taller, around 4.5 inches in height.
Hopefully, this guide provides clarity when you’re trying to figure out how many servings an 8-inch cake serves. Remember, these are estimations, and the actual number can vary. Consider your guests’ appetites and the cutting method when making your cake ordering decisions!
Best,
Renata
