Food ServiceResources

Anyone who’s been in charge of cutting a cake knows that it can be a high-pressure situation. From ruining the appearance of your frosting to uneven sized slices, cutting a cake can sometimes be more stressful than actually making and decorating one. Luckily for you, we’ve provided an instructional video and step-by-step directions that show you how to cut a cake.

How to Choose Your Knife

For each cake, you’ll want to cut them with a slicing knife. However, you’ll want to use a different edge style for different cakes. For example, since delicate cakes, like pound or angel, have to be cut in a sawing motion, you’ll want to use a slicing knife with a serrated edge. The rest of the cakes listed below can be cut with a knife that has a smooth edge.

How to Clean Your Knife

No matter what kind of knife you’re using to cut your cake, it’s important that you properly clean your blade in between each cut. Not only does this preserve the finished appearance of your frosting, but it also makes it easier to make each cut. Before you begin cutting, briefly soak the blade of your knife in a container of warm water. It’s important that the water is warm as this can help with cutting into your cake. Then, wipe off the excess water with a towel. After you’ve made your first cut, you’ll want to dip the blade of your knife back into the water and move it around to remove any crumbs and frosting. Once again, take your towel and wipe off the blade.

Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Cut Delicate Cakes

• Since delicate cakes are usually sticky, it’s helpful to have the blade of your knife slightly wet and warm before your first cut.


• 1.

  Using a slicing knife with a serrated edge, cut into your cake in a sawing motion.

• 2.

  Determine the size of your slice of cake.

• 3.

  Again, gently saw into your cake.

• 4.

  Using the flat side of your blade, pick up your slice of cake from the bottom to serve.

How to Cut Layered Cakes

• To avoid touching the cake with your hands, use a cake stand with a cutting board mat for grip.


• 1.

  Using a pie or cake marker, delicately place it on top of the cake.

• 2.

  This will leave marks behind that you will use as a guide for cutting.

• 3.

  Using a knife with a thin, long blade, press down into one of the marked lines.

• 4.

  Once the knife has gone all the way through, pull it away from the cake.

• 5.

  Then, take the knife and choose a line to the left or right of your first cut.

• 6.

  Again, press the knife down into the marked line and pull it away.

• 7.

  Slide a pie server under the bottom of the slice and serve.

How to Cut Sheet Cakes

• To avoid touching the cake with your hands, use a cake stand with a cutting board mat for grip.


• 1.

  Using a knife with a long, thin blade, vertically cut your cake in half.

• 2.

  Then, vertically cut your halves in half, leaving you with four long sections.

• 3.

  Starting from either end of the cake, press the blade into the cake and pull it away.

• 4.

  Continue this until you have five slices from your one of your quarters.

• 5.

  Using the flat side of your blade, slide it under the bottom of your slice to serve.

• 6.

  Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 for the remaining quarters.

How to Cut Dense Cakes

• To avoid touching the cake with your hands, use a cake stand with a cutting board mat for grip.


• 1.

  Using a knife with a thin, long blade, cut your cake in half.

• 2.

  Next, cut your halves in half, leaving you with four equally sized sections.

• While we cut four, thin slices into each quarter, the size of the slices can be left up to your preference.


• 3.

  Begin cutting one of the quarters in half.

• 4.

  Press the blade down and pull away once you've reached the bottom of your cake.

• 5.

  Repeat the previous step on the remaining quarters.

• 6.

  Using the flat side of your blade, slide it under the bottom of your slice to serve.

• If you would like to get 16 slices from your cake, you can do so by cutting the halves from your quarters in half.