The Surprisingly Simple Way to Cut a Round Cake for a Crowd (Without It Turning Into a Crumbly Disaster)

You know that moment when you’re staring down an 8-inch round cake, trying to figure out how on earth you’re going to stretch it into enough slices for your entire party? It feels a bit like trying to squeeze yourself into jeans from high school—tight, uncomfortable, and destined to fail. Let’s be honest: round cakes are adorable for birthdays, sweet anniversaries, or tea with two friends. But for a big ol’ group? Not so much.

Well, hold on to your cake server, because there’s a better way—and no, it doesn’t involve slicing paper-thin slivers that make folks feel like they’re on a diet they never signed up for.

I stumbled across a clever little trick from Instagram user @bakedmeringue, and let me tell you, it’s a game changer for cake lovers with big guest lists and not a lot of cake real estate.

First off, yes—a round cake can feed a crowd

It’s easy to assume that square or sheet cakes are your only go-to when feeding a party. After all, squares just make sense, right? But round cakes can be just as efficient if you slice ’em smart. With the right technique, that modest little 8-inch circle can go from serving 8 to satisfying 32 without a single person feeling shortchanged.

Here’s how it works—no geometry degree required

Let’s walk through it step by step, and trust me, it’s way easier than it sounds:

1. Start by slicing your round cake into eight equal wedges, like you would for a typical party.

2. Then—this is the twist—cut a small diamond shape from the center of each wedge. So, in every triangle slice, you’re snipping out the middle portion.

3. Plate the outer edges—the curved pieces—with a little garnish if you’re feeling fancy. These are perfect party portions on their own.

4. Now take those center diamond shapes and cut each one in half. That’s where the magic happens.

By the end, you’ve turned that humble little cake into 32 solid slices. No joke. And these aren’t puny, see-through slivers either. They’re generous enough that guests won’t feel like they’re rationing dessert.

Why this works (and why we love it)

This technique plays with shape and space in a way that most of us just don’t think to do. It’s not how your grandma cut cake—and bless her heart, she usually just eyeballed it—but it works beautifully when you’ve got more mouths than cake.

What I especially love? There’s less waste, and the cake stays tidier. You don’t end up with one person getting a hulking slice while someone else gets stuck with the sad edge that looks like it lost a fight with a butter knife.

And hey, if you’re a food stylist or just want your dessert table to look good, this cutting method gives each slice a cleaner, more uniform appearance. Fancy without the fuss.

So, where did this come from?

All credit goes to the brilliant baker behind @bakedmeringue on Instagram. You can watch the full reel on their page—it’s oddly satisfying to see it in action, and you might just find yourself going back to rewatch it before your next party.

Honestly, this is one of those “where has this been all my life?” tricks. Perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, office get-togethers, or even a surprise drop-by from your in-laws (who always seem to show up when dessert’s already been sliced).

So next time you’re planning to serve cake to a crowd, don’t panic. Just grab your knife, think like @bakedmeringue, and slice smarter—not harder.

And remember—cake’s meant to be shared. Just maybe not your last piece.

You can watch the reel over here.