How to Cut and Serve a Birthday Cake Perfectly – A Step-by-Step Guide
When it comes to birthdays, nothing says celebration like a birthday cake! But have you ever found yourself facing a big, beautiful cake, only to be haunted by past struggles of slicing it neatly? You’re not alone. Believe it or not, there are clever tips and techniques for cutting a cake evenly—tricks only a few know! Before you make the first cut, take a moment to read this article. You’ll be ready to serve up picture-perfect slices in no time!
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【Advised by】Ginza Cozy Corner
Table of Contents
Let’s Start with a Celebration
Taking the cake out of the box can be surprisingly nerve-racking. But don’t worry! Start by folding back the lid firmly while gently pressing down with one hand. With the other hand, lift the tray slightly and pull it straight out towards you. This will allow the cake to come out beautifully.
Make sure to move calmly and carefully! If you’re too rough, the cream may stick to the inside of the box. It may seem simple, but this is a surprisingly tricky step you want to get right.
Once the cake is out, feel free to decorate it however you like. Light the candles and sing together—Happy Birthday to You! This festive moment is an important part of enjoying a birthday cake.
Place the Fruits and Decorations on a Separate Plate
After the celebration, it’s time to slice the cake. No matter how sharp your knife is, it’s tough to cut through fruits and decorations neatly. So, remove the fruits and chocolate plates from the top of the cake and place them on a separate dish. Gently twist and lift them vertically with your fingers—they should come off easily. This trick works wonders!
If there’s a sticker on the side film of the cake, use one hand to support it for easier removal. The cake might collapse a little, but once the film is off, it won’t be noticeable—no need to worry.
Hold the side film with one hand, and slowly rotate the tray with the other. Slightly tilt the hand holding the film—if you keep it parallel, a lot of cream will stick to the film, so be careful!
Cutting into 5 Equal Pieces
Cutting a cake into 5 equal parts is tough… That’s where the star shape comes in handy. Make a star out of origami, place it on the cake centered, and mark five points along the edges with a knife. If you have a star-shaped cookie cutter, that works great too!
A thin, serrated knife works best. If you don’t have one, a petty knife will do—just make sure it’s thin. Prepare hot water at around 60°C in a container deep enough to submerge the knife blade. Warm the knife before cutting and wipe it with a towel to remove moisture. The heat will slightly melt the cream for smoother slicing.
Align the tip of the knife with the center of the cake, hold the handle upward, and aim for a 35-degree angle to the surface. Lower it vertically, cut through, and gently pull back. Avoid sawing motions as they’ll make the cut edges messy!
After each cut, wipe the cream off the knife and reheat it in the water. It’s a bit tedious, but this ensures clean slices. Slightly tilt the knife to the right or left after each cut to create a small gap—this makes it easier to serve each piece.
Cutting into 6 Equal Pieces
To cut into 6 equal pieces, start by halving the cake. If you’re using a small knife and can’t do it in one go, that’s fine—align the tip with the center and make two cuts along the radius like in the photo.
Then divide each half into three parts. Try to move the knife in one direction at a time. And just like that—you have six equal slices!
Switch Knives for Serving
Once the cake is sliced, switch to a wider knife for easier and more stable serving. Gently lift the front side of the tray and slightly push the cake piece up. Slide the knife straight into the gap you’ve created.
Transfer the cake to a plate, then gently remove the knife while pressing the cake lightly with a fork or similar utensil.
Finally, decorate with the fruits and other toppings you set aside earlier. Your beautifully sliced birthday cake is now complete—decorate it however you like!
Slicing a birthday cake can be more complex than it seems. But a perfectly cut cake is a joy to behold. Go ahead—give it a try!
Founded in 1948, this long-established Western-style confectionery shop offers a wide range of products and services. In addition to producing and selling sliced cakes and baked sweets, it also operates café-style restaurants serving light meals such as pasta and parfaits. Today, it has expanded to approximately 400 locations nationwide, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Special thanks to "Ginza Cozy Corner Ginza 1-chome Main Store – 2F Café" for their cooperation in this shoot.
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
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