Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
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If you need to cut cake layers in half, there is a simple and accurate method that does not involve messing with knives or having your cake roll across the countertop. With floss and some toothpicks, you can slice the cake in half with ease.
Things You Should Know
- Start by sticking toothpicks into the edges of the cake around its halfway point.
- Wrap unflavored dental floss around the cake where the toothpicks stick out and pull each end of the floss so that it cuts the cake as it tightens.
- Slide cardboard or a baking sheet between the newly-cut layers of the cake so you can cleanly lift off the top layer.
Steps
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Place toothpicks at the halfway point around the edges of the cake layer, as shown in the image.[1]
Align unflavored dental floss around the row of toothpicks. If you're making a spongy cake, it helps to make a few cuts with a serrated knife along the toothpick row, to give the floss something to bite into.Advertisement- When the floss is fully wrapped around the cake, cross the ends of the floss and hold each end in each hand. Pull each end out and away from the cake, so the floss cuts through the cake as the circle of floss tightens. Move the floss slightly from side to side to help the cutting movement.
- Now you have two layers of cake.
- Slide a piece of cardboard or a baking sheet (with no sides) between the two layers and lift off the top layer.
Finished.
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow do I make sure the cake slices are the same size?
Jennifer LevasseurChef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
Personal ChefTo ensure uniform cake slices, you can use a large serrated knife and consider a few key factors. Some professional bakeries opt to trim the cake's top and sides for a flat surface, enhancing crisp frosting edges; however, this step is discretionary. Alternatively, place one hand flat on the cake's top, align the knife-holding hand with the cake's midpoint, and carefully slice through, ensuring a horizontal cut to prevent sloping. For larger cakes, a turntable aids in the process, requiring the gradual rotation of the cake as you slice. Additionally, after slicing, create a small top-to-bottom slit and ensure alignment during layering so that the cake maintains its original cut orientation. - QuestionShould the cake be completely cool before I cut it?
Community AnswerYes. Leave it to cool overnight if possible. The fat hardens when it cools, thus firming up the cake. - QuestionWill this method work on a loaf cake?Community AnswerIf the cake is on the harder side, it will likely not work. However, if it is spongy like the one in the picture, this method should work.
Tips
- When pulling the floss across the cake, make sure you are tightening it into a circle of floss.Thanks
- This method is extra useful for sticky or delicate cakes that might pull apart when using a knife or get stuck to the knife.Thanks
- You can also use a thin wire, invisible sewing thread, or heavy fishing line in the same manner.Thanks
Warnings
- Be sure to remove all the toothpicks before frosting or serving––never poke the toothpicks so far in that you miss them.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Toothpicks
- Unflavored dental floss
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Jennifer Levasseur.
References
About This Article
To cut a cake layer in half, start by placing toothpicks at the halfway point around the edge of the cake. Then, take some dental floss and wrap it around the edge of the cake so it's resting on the toothpicks. Finally, cross the ends of the floss and pull them in opposite directions to cut through the middle of the cake. To learn how to lift the top layer of cake off the bottom layer, scroll down!
Reader Success Stories
"Thank you! I am making a special lemon layer cake for a charity auction for our local animal rescue, and I need to split my two layers into four for a fabulous ultimate lemon cake. This helps me have a clear idea how to do that without making my layers uneven. "..." more
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