08 July 2010

how-to cut a cake

HOW-TO CUT A CAKE 
by Brittany Egbert of onecharmingparty.com

It's more fun to present a beautiful piece of cake, rather than a messy one, no matter how delicious the cake is. And cutting a free standing cake can be tricky; one mistake and your whole creation can be ruined. But with a few tips you can cut a cake like a pro.

1. Get a good sharp knife and heat it under hot water. I use a chef's knife, not a serrated knife. While you're at it, get a dish cloth and fill up a tall cup with more hot water for subsequent knife cleanings and reheatings. With your wet, hot knife, slice down carefully and firmly. 

2. With a clean, wet, hot knife each time, cut two pieces of cake before removing any wedges. This allows more give in your cake and makes it easier to remove the first slice.

3. Carefully slide your knife underneath the cake wedge to loosen it. 

4. Gently pull out the piece of cake. Continue cleaning and reheating your knife and cutting and plating your cake.

5. Serve up a beautiful slice of cake to your guests. 


for more party tips, tutorials and charming ideas, follow the link to brittany's website and sign up for her party school newsletter. exactly the type of summer school i am eager to attend!  brittany's images were taken by nicole hill gerulat www.nicolephoto.com 


add to marta's collection :: i created the how-to series to encourage you to share and celebrate your individual skills and talents; to focus on what we can do rather than what we can't. i am excited to showcase creativity and unique ideas. if you have a specialty (and i know you do), please submit your how-to guest post by emailing me. marta{at}martawrites{dot}com. i will be delighted to feature your how-to. 


"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden


14 comments:

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Genius, seriously. Just that tip about cutting two slices first, I had no idea. It might be enough for me to bake a cake today just to give it a go.

Diane said...

Love it! My job at my nieces weddings has been to cut the wedding cake. Now I will be a pro!

Hil said...

Love this.. I also had no idea about the whole "cutting two slices" first before trying to remove a slice. I've been doing it ALL wrong. It also helps to have a gorgeous cake like the one above... something that I am afraid I am incapable of!

Ashley said...

Adorable cake!

Jennifer said...

I love the tip about the hot, wet knife and cleaning it off each time...makes sense, but never occurred to me before. I would add that I use a metal spatula to hold against the side of the cake as I am lifting it out with the knife on the bottom...it seems to help hold it all together without touching it with my fingers. Thanks, Marta!

A'n'G Johnson said...

I haven't had a crumbly cake problem... but I kept reading this post anyway because I so wanted a piece of that cake! It looks divine and I loved her paper background!

Silver Strands said...

I've always wondered why my cake slices always look butchered. Thanks! I'm excited to try this!

Your blog is adorable, by the way. I'm SO glad I found it!

Sarah said...

Great tip - we used to use this technique when I worked at a restaurant. This works great with ice cream cakes, cheese cakes, bread pudding etc.

Hannah said...

Brilliant! Love the tip.

wishful nals said...

what a great series! love this :)

Travelin'Oma said...

This is a total feel-good post. The tips, the photos and the generosity you show by highlighting others. Love it!

AmberLee said...

this is going to make me look like the most effortless hostess ever. i love the photos too. totally beautiful.

Unknown said...

what a great to-do! thank you!

summer said...

wow. this is mesmerizing.
i am a big fan of the hot knife trick, but the two-piece rule.. brilliant. definitely going to try it.

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