Cake Serving Chart and Portion Guide

Welcome to our guide on cake sizes and portions! One of the most important considerations when planning a cake for an event or gathering is the size of the cake and how many portions it can serve. Whether you're baking a cake from scratch or ordering one from a bakery, knowing the right size to get is crucial. In this guide, we'll go over the various cake sizes, shapes and how many servings they typically yield to make sure you have enough for everyone. So, let's dive in and learn everything you need to know about cake sizes and portions.

A portion of cake is the amount of cake that is typically served to one person. The size of a portion can vary depending on the occasion and the size of the cake being served. There are generally two types of cake portions used; the finger portion or the dessert portion.

A finger portion is roughly the size of a finger, about 1" wide and 5" tall. Finger portions are often used at events like afternoon tea or weddings where there are multiple types of desserts on the menu.

A dessert portion is slightly bigger then a finger portion, about 2'' wide and 5'' tall. They are often served at birthdays and parties where it is the main dessert item on the menu.

Square cakes are great for events with a larger guest lists, are easier to portion out and you tend to get more portions out of it then you would with a round cake of the same size.

The square shape also provides a larger surface area for decorating, which makes it ideal for occasions that call for elaborate decorations.

Round cakes are definitely the more popular choice for most occasions and are a classic shape for many types of cakes. Did you know most cakes are round because in the early days of cake baking, round cake pans were more readily available? Just one among many reasons why they remain so popular to this day!

Round cakes are easier to slice and serve when you're dealing with bigger portions than other shapes because you can start at the center point and work your way out, which helps to create evenly sized slices. 

The curved edges of a round cake also make it easier to decorate and frost, giving it a more polished and professional look. 

There are so many details that go into making sure your special day goes perfectly. We've put together our top tips on making sure you get the perfect cake for your perfect day!

• Know your guest list: Before you order your wedding cake, have a rough estimate of how many guests will be attending the wedding. This will help you determine the size of the cake needed to ensure that there are enough servings for everyone. As a general rule, a standard wedding cake serving is about 1" to 2" wide and 4'' to 5" tall.
• Choose the right size of cake: Generally, a 6" cake serves about 12 people, an 8" cake serves about 24 people, a 10" cake serves about 36 people, and a 12" cake serves about 50 people.
• Cut the cake into even portions: When it's time to cut the wedding cake, use a sharp, serrated knife, we would suggest using one from Viners for the best slice. Make small marks in the center of the cake to serve as a guide. Then, cut the cake into even slices, starting from the center and working your way outward. For round cakes, it's typically easiest to make straight cuts from the center to the edge of the cake. For square or rectangular cakes, you can make straight cuts or diagonal cuts to create diamond-shaped portions.
• Serve appropriate portion sizes: When serving the cake, it's important to provide the right portion sizes to make sure there is enough for everyone. If the cake is the main dessert, consider providing a larger dessert portion for each guest. For larger weddings, you may want to offer smaller finger sizes to double the portions you'll get. If possible, provide another dessert option such as mini cupcakes or macarons to go with it.

Cakes come in all shapes and sizes! The shape and size of the cake should be chosen based on the occasion, the number of servings needed, and personal preference. We've summed it up below so you can make sure you have the exact cake you need regardless of the occassion.