How to Cut a Wedding Cake for My Guests Step by Step

Cut one piece of cake at a time.

Cutting the cake at a wedding is a gesture performed by the bride and groom that symbolizes the beginning of a new life together. It is also the beginning of dessert. Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes, each of which is traditionally cut in a unique way. All eyes are on you as you cut the cake, so cut the cake properly to impress your guests.

Things You'll Need

• Cake knife
• Paper towels

Instructions

Round Tiers

1. Grasp a cake knife by the handle and position it so the tip points straight down.

2. Position the tip of the cake knife 2 inches in from the edge of the circle.

3. Push the knife down into the cake until the tip of the knife touches the bottom of the tier.

4. Cut a circle in the middle of the cake, keeping 2 inches in from the edge of the cake the entire time.

5. Pull the cake knife straight up and wipe it with a paper towel. Always wipe the cake knife with a paper towel between each cut to avoid smearing frosting everywhere.

6. Position the tip of the knife 2 inches in from the cut circle. Cut another circle in the middle of the cake, keeping 2 inches in from the first cut circle the entire time.

7. Repeat cutting circles, 2 inches in at a time, until a center circle with a diameter of about 2 inches remains. Depending on the size of the cake tier, only one circle may need to be cut.

8. Grasp the cake knife by the handle with one hand and position it so the side of the blade is parallel to the ground.

9. Position the cake knife above the outer circle of the tier.

10. Push the cake knife straight down until you reach the bottom of the tier.

11. Pull the knife out of the side of the cake and wipe it with a clean paper towel.

12. Position the knife 1 inch to the right of the cut you just made.

13. Push the cake knife straight down until you reach the bottom of the tier.

14. Pull the knife out of the side of the cake and wipe it with a clean paper towel.

15. Slide the cake knife underneath the first cut slice and remove it from the cake. Set it aside.

16. Repeat cutting 1-inch-wide pieces around each circle of the tier. Wipe the cake knife with a clean paper towel and remove each piece before cutting the next. Work from the outside in.

Square or Rectangle Tiers

1. Grasp a cake knife by the handle with one hand and position it so the side of the blade is parallel to the ground.

2. Position the cake knife 2 inches in from the left side of the cake. Keep the blade parallel to the ground and to the edge of the cake.

3. Cut a straight line across the entire length of the cake. Keep the line 2 inches in from the edge.

4. Pull the knife straight up out of the cake and wipe it with a clean paper towel.

5. Position the knife 2 inches to the right of the cut you just made.

6. Cut a straight line across the entire length of the cake.

7. Pull the knife straight up out of the cake and wipe it with a clean paper towel.

8. Repeat this process until the entire tier is scored. You should have 2-inch-wide strips of cake.

9. Position the knife 1 inch in from the side of the cake so it forms a 90-degree angle with one of the lines you have already cut.

10. Push the knife straight down until you reach the bottom of the tier.

11. Pull the knife straight up out of the cake. Wipe the knife with a clean paper towel.

12. Slide the knife under the cut piece of cake. Remove the piece of cake and set it aside. Wipe the cake knife with a clean paper towel.

13. Repeat cutting pieces of cake until the entire tier is cut.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut an odd-shaped tier, such as a heart, pentagon or flower, as you would a square or rectangle, into 2-inch-wide pieces.

References

• Wilton: Wedding Cake Cutting Guide
• Hudson Valley Weddings: The Wedding Cake…History, Customs and Traditions