Wilton Cake Servings Chart: Think It's Unrealistic?

Decorating By Monica_ Updated 20 May 2014 , 9:00pm by shel0426

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Monica_ Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 9:56pm
post #1 of 35

Even when I think of the more moderately proportioned way a wedding cake is sliced, do the Wilton cake serving sizes chart seem completely unrealistic to anybody else? I just can't look at a 6" round for example, and say "That'll feed 12 people". Or if I charge someone per serving, bring them a 9" round 2 layer cake, and tell them that's supposed to serve over 30 people. I guess I need to make my own chart for quick reference so I stop screwing myself over on pricing when I've got someone on the phone and I'm trying to guage servings by eyeballing the empty cake pan. LOL icon_smile.gif




(The chart can be found here: http://www.wilton.com/cake/cakeprep/baking/times/wedding_2inch.cfm )

34 replies
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karateka Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 9:59pm
post #2 of 35

I use the chart on earlenescakes.com. I think it's a far better tool. Check it out.

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Monica_ Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:04pm
post #3 of 35

Wow, SO much better!!!! What she said was absoluely right, you feel like you're cheating people if you go by the Wilton chart. icon_biggrin.gif

Thanks for that link!

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Chef_Stef Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:10pm
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I felt the same way after I read Earlene's chart...

UNTIL I took a pan, flipped it over, and drew out the serving chart on the back of the pan in felt tip pen myself.

I came up with at least Wilton's number of servings, and sometimes more, in wedding size slices, so I decided to quit worrying about it and use the Wilton chart.

I've never had anyone have too little cake using it, so for now I'm sticking with Wilton.

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nefgaby Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:17pm
post #5 of 35

I agree, I never go by Wilton's chart!

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JanH Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:20pm
post #6 of 35

Zmama brought this chart to my attention:

http://www.pastrywiz.com/cakes/servings.htm

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nglez09 Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:25pm
post #7 of 35

I think Wilton's chart is perfectly fine.

Dessert is supposed to "wrap everything up". Cake is supposed to be decadent- you are supposed to enjoy it and crave more when you're done. That's why cake is underrated- because if you go an buy a cake at Costco you slice the pieces so thick as to say "gorge yourself" and that's disgusting. Just a tiny little slice to say "I'm satisfied" is enough. Cheap cake is sliced big- expensive and delicious cake is sliced small.

JMO, hopefully I didn't sound like a jerk.

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Monica_ Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:39pm
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No, you don't sound like a jerk at all. But now after reading your sig, I am having the most COMPELLING cravings for a donut. Curse you, pregnancy!

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Sugarflowers Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:53pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karateka

I use the chart on earlenescakes.com. I think it's a far better tool. Check it out.




I love Earlene's chart. It's very accurate and easy to use.

I had noticed that Wilton's serving suggestions on their cakes don't fit even their own charts.

I also go by how many servings one of my cake recipes serves. I figure how many batches of batter I need to make and go from there.

HTH

Michele

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Euphoriabakery Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 10:56pm
post #10 of 35

I had these same issues and decided to figure out my own servings. I decided my wedding cake servings would be 1.5"x2" and my party size servings would be 2"x2". then I had my math wizard husband plug the numbers for each size pan I used. Here is a link to my chart:
http://www.euphoriabakery.com/pricingflavorinfo.htm
You have to scroll to the bottom of the page to see the charts.

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peacockplace Posted 7 Dec 2006 , 11:03pm
post #11 of 35

I have always been fine by wilton's. Earlene's just seems like too much! Colette Peters has one in her books that is in the middle of the two.

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CajunDaisy Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 1:10pm
post #12 of 35

Do any of you send cutting charts or "proper procedures for serving cakes" or something with your cakes? The last wedding cake I did, the person cutting it apparently cut huge pieces and they didn't use any gloves and were using their hands to plop the cake slices down on the plates. icon_eek.gif I heard about it all later from some of the guests.

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bethola Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 1:19pm
post #13 of 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by nefgaby

I agree, I never go by Wilton's chart!




Is it a "Southern" thing? LOLL I kinda figure somewhere between Earlene and Wilton and so far I've never had a problem. When someone asks for a cake to serve a certain number of people I alway give them an option of what the cake SHOULD serve and what might happen if they cut "Kentucky" servings! LOLL They usually take the larger cake. This is NOT a marketing "ploy" at all. I just want to make sure they have enough cake.

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Zmama Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 2:15pm
post #14 of 35

It's not a Southern thing, but more how we are used to large servings. Most rural areas have Olive Garden as a top restauant, I've found. Their desserts are about 3x3x2 (tiramisu or cakes) for $5-6. That's about $2 for a "wedding size" serving amount. Go to bigger cities and you can get the gourmet, small sizes, but not most places I've been. 1x3x4 is a nice slice, laid flat on a dessert plate to show the fillings.

It all depends on what your customers are used to. I can buy a whole pan of OGarden tiramisu for $36, 12 of their servings, 24-30 of mine. We can't compete at the higer prices for smaller servings that a lot of you get.

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bethola Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 2:33pm
post #15 of 35

I read a couple of years ago where the servings we have in American are literally twice what they are in some European countries. In fact, I have friends from South Africa who, when they came to America, commented on how large our portions were and how we ate much more that we actually needed (like THAT was a surprise!).

I do agree that when we serve "good rich cake" it should be smaller portions. In fact, I'm constantly telling my cousin when she caters a reception that if it isn't a sit down meal it isn't necessary for people to "gorge" themselves. So far, I've been unsuccessful in THAT endeavor! LOL

Beth in KY

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bobwonderbuns Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 2:44pm
post #16 of 35

Here's a dumb question -- does anyone know if they make a tool that (how do I describe this?) has a handle and the top of it is a square cutter in the shape of a wedding cake slice so all one has to do is press this down in the cake over and over and voila -- perfect (wedding) cake slices every time??

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cakesbykellie Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 2:53pm
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i am 99% sure i have seen a tool like that bobwonderbuns.... i cant think of where.... i'll search it out....

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bobwonderbuns Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 2:56pm
post #18 of 35

I've seen them for pie slices, but not for a wedding cake slice.

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cakesbykellie Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 2:58pm
post #19 of 35

i KNOW i have seen one.... however, it could have been packaged for something other than that but of course i saw it and said "oh... cake slicer!" how about this, bobwonderbuns(i love this name, btw), i will design one and then send it on to you... icon_smile.gif

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Mamas Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 3:14pm
post #20 of 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunDaisy

Do any of you send cutting charts or "proper procedures for serving cakes" or something with your cakes? The last wedding cake I did, the person cutting it apparently cut huge pieces and they didn't use any gloves and were using their hands to plop the cake slices down on the plates. icon_eek.gif I heard about it all later from some of the guests.




I have in the past and will always send a chart and instructions. I did it the first time because I was afraid that they wouldn't get enough cake if they didn't cut it properly and I also used Collette Peter's chart because it seemed to be the most realistic and the most generous.

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Mamas Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 3:16pm
post #21 of 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobwonderbuns

Here's a dumb question -- does anyone know if they make a tool that (how do I describe this?) has a handle and the top of it is a square cutter in the shape of a wedding cake slice so all one has to do is press this down in the cake over and over and voila -- perfect (wedding) cake slices every time??




I know I have seen it on QVC or HSN not sure which.

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nglez09 Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 5:32pm
post #22 of 35

THAT WAS MY EXACT QUESTION?! Wilton needs to come out with a cake cutter that goes in accordance w/ their chart!

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pbeckwith Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 5:41pm
post #23 of 35

I think someone posted a picture quite some time ago of wooden blocks that were painted like a cake to show the 1X2, 1 1/2x2, and the 2x2 slices of cake - all 4 inches high. I had my husband make me each block, but of course I haven't painted them yet, but it really gives a reality check on how big a 2x2x4 inch slice of cake really is.

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tiptop57 Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 5:47pm
post #24 of 35

Nobody makes a chart for my cakes...... icon_cry.gificon_cry.gificon_cry.gificon_cry.gif

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MikeRowesHunny Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 5:48pm
post #25 of 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbeckwith

I think someone posted a picture quite some time ago of wooden blocks that were painted like a cake to show the 1X2, 1 1/2x2, and the 2x2 slices of cake - all 4 inches high. I had my husband make me each block, but of course I haven't painted them yet, but it really gives a reality check on how big a 2x2x4 inch slice of cake really is.


That was me icon_smile.gif! I too marked out my pans and found that Wilton was right on with their servings. I've cut 2 birthday cakes at parties recently, using 1.5x2x4in servings and they were plenty big enough with the kind of rich scratch cakes I make and the all-butter buttercream (in fact I was feeling a little nauseous towards the end of my piece, and I LOVE cake!)!

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pbeckwith Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 5:52pm
post #26 of 35

I agree with your sizes - that's plenty big enough. And once you actually see the size of your blocks, you realize it's enough. Maybe you could post your picture of the blocks again. Maybe, I'll get mine painted!!!

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MikeRowesHunny Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 6:32pm
post #27 of 35

Just added the picture to my gallery:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_88648.html

Hope it helps

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destini377 Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 6:46pm
post #28 of 35

Great info, guys!

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CajunDaisy Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 6:49pm
post #29 of 35

These are great! Thanks for sharing!!!

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Chef_Stef Posted 8 Dec 2006 , 9:06pm
post #30 of 35

I once read that a wedding cake serving (1 x 2 x 4), if you think about it, is about the size of half a sandwich. I like that--it makes it relatable to people...

I print out the cake serving chart and cutting instructions from a Wilton book and leave it with the cake in an inconspicuous spot for weddings, just in case they don't have a caterer who knows how or they have Aunt Louise serving "family size" portions--that way they won't run out halfway through the cake. icon_smile.gif

so there IS a cake slicer/server???? Where could I find this?

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