{"id":763842,"date":"2018-10-29T21:13:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T02:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=763842"},"modified":"2025-05-10T03:00:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T08:00:12","slug":"how-to-cut-cake-layers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-to-cut-cake-layers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Cut Cake Layers Evenly"},"content":{"rendered":"The perfect layer cakes assemble with flat, even cake layers. But so often, cakes are domed on top when they come out of the oven. Baking with cake strips<\/a> minimizes doming, but even the tiniest domes throw off the balance and stability of a layer cake. There's no choice but to even them out.\r\n\r\nOther times, a recipe calls for cutting your existing layers into thinner layers. For example, our lemon layer cake's<\/a> four layers start as two baked layers.\r\n\r\nAs a former professional baker, I never bought one of those cake-leveling tools. Why invest in a one-tricky pony when a serrated knife does the job perfectly<\/em>? We'll show you how to cut cake layers evenly with a serrated knife and dental floss (yep!), so you can decorate a cake<\/a> easily and precisely. No Leaning Tower of Pisa cakes here!\r\nHow to Cut Cake Layers with a Serrated Knife<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nLearning how to slice a cake into layers or to cut the dome off starts with a serrated knife, a cake turntable and a little patience. Here's how to do it.\r\n\r\n \tSet up your station:<\/strong> To cut cake layers with a serrated knife, place one cooled cake layer on a turntable. Use a plate if you don't have one. Take the serrated knife in your dominant hand and place your fingers from the other hand on the top middle of the cake. Your fingers should be on the cake just enough to spin it, not anywhere near the knife.<\/li>\r\n \tMark a guide: <\/strong>With the serrated knife parallel to the counter, line up the blade with the point of the cake where the bottom part of the dome meets the straight edge of the cake. Press the blade into the cake just enough to leave a mark, then use your fingers to spin the cake while continuing to make the mark around the entire cake. Try to make it as level as possible since this perforation will act as a guide to cut the cake dome.<\/li>\r\n \tSpin the cake while cutting towards the center:\u00a0<\/strong>Once you've completed a full perforation, go over the line again, gently \"sawing\" about 1 inch into the cake while turning. After a full turn, cut in 1 inch deeper while gently sawing and turning until the knife has cut through the center of the cake. You should now have cut off the cake's dome.<\/li>\r\n \tCut the cake in half, if needed:<\/strong> If your cake recipe calls for cutting one cake layer into two, follow the same technique above, starting the perforation in the very center of the straight edge of the cake so you're cutting it into two equally-sized cake layers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nHow to Cut Cake Layers with Dental Floss<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nDental floss<\/em>? That's right! When learning how to level a cake with dental floss, we found that waxed dental floss slices more smoothly than unwaxed. To avoid interfering with your cake's flavor, steer away from flavored dental floss, like mint.\r\n\r\n \tCut the dental floss:<\/strong> To cut cake layers using dental floss, place one cooled cake layer on a plate. A turntable will be too fidgety for this step. Measure and cut unflavored dental floss long enough to go completely around the perimeter of the cake, plus a few extra inches on each side.<\/li>\r\n \tMake a guide with toothpicks: <\/strong>Insert four to six toothpicks evenly around the perimeter of the cake where you intend to cut. To cut off the cake dome, place the toothpicks just underneath where the dome and straight edge of the cake meet. To cut the cake into two layers, place the toothpicks around the center of the cake. For a super-even guide, use our serrated knife perforation technique above.<\/li>\r\n \tWrap and pull the dental floss: <\/strong>Holding one end of the floss in each hand, wrap the floss around the far edge of the cake, crossing the ends in front of you. Pull the two ends of the floss together until you've sliced through the entire cake.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nNow you're ready to tackle these layer cake recipes<\/a> we know you'll love! Since you put in all that work baking the cake<\/a> and cutting it into layers, make sure you know how to frost a cake<\/a> properly. Finally, when it's time to serve, cut the cake<\/a>\u00a0and show off those gorgeous, even cake layers!\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 50<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\r\n[dam-video dam-id=\"33127\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nSandy's Chocolate Cake<\/a>\r\nYears ago, I drove 4-1\/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe<\/a> won first prize. \u2014Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania<\/div>\r\nGet Recipe<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Coconut Chiffon Cake<\/a>Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it's a lovely end to meals throughout the year.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Mocha Cake<\/a>Without a doubt, this is the best cake I've ever made. I share this decadent mocha cake with everyone I can! \u2014Katherine DeLoach, Visalia, CaliforniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Vanilla Cake<\/a>Our Test Kitchen created our best vanilla cake recipe yet. It's tender, moist and packed with rich vanilla flavor\u2014a must for any special occasion.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Raspberry Lemon Cake<\/a>Want a change from chocolate cake? Try this elegant lemon raspberry cake packed with refreshing citrus flavor, from the cake to the homemade lemon curd and creamy frosting. It won a blue ribbon at the Alaska State Fair and it's definitely a winner with me. \u2014Shirley Warren, Thiensville, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chantilly Cake<\/a>Berry Chantilly Cake was made famous by baker Chaya Conrad, who worked at a Whole Foods in New Orleans. It features fresh summer berries, airy vanilla cake and a cloud-like frosting that combines sweetened mascarpone, cream cheese and whipped cream. \u2014Sarah Tramonte, Milwaukee, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Butter Pecan Cake<\/a>This irresistible butter pecan cake features multiple layers, plenty of toasted buttery pecan crunch and a thick layer of buttercream frosting. In a word, it's delicious. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or maple ice cream to complement this decadent southern dessert.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Crepe Cake<\/a>With layers of delicate crepes and a pastry cream filling, this crepe cake is the perfect vessel for toppings like fresh berries, whipped cream or chocolate ganache.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Caramel Cake<\/a>When a vanilla or chocolate cake seems too ordinary, choose this caramel cake with its layers of brown sugar-infused cake and rich caramel frosting.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Key Lime Cake<\/a>There's no need to choose between cake and pie. This Key lime cake with three flavorful layers and a Key lime cream cheese frosting is the best dessert mashup.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Dulce de Leche Cake<\/a>With three fluffy cake layers and a creamy frosting with notes of caramel, this dulce de leche cake is sure to be a hit.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Limoncello Cake<\/a>This citrusy and bright limoncello cake has two layers of lemon sponge cake with a rich mascarpone-limoncello frosting.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Mango Cake<\/a>\u201cWow\u201d a friend for their summer birthday or beat the winter blues with a mango cake that tastes like pure sunshine.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Matcha Cake<\/a>Our matcha cake is as easy to make as any layered cake, but its cool sophistication is second to none.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>White Chocolate Raspberry Cake<\/a>With creamy frosting, fluffy vanilla-almond cake layers and a vibrant raspberry filling, this white chocolate raspberry cake is the ultimate dessert.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Curd Cake<\/a>This lemon curd cake features tender lemon cake layers, fresh lemon curd and a dreamy lemon cream cheese frosting. It's the ultimate treat for lemon lovers.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Banana Pudding Cake<\/a>I love to make cakes, and my family loves banana pudding. One day while brainstorming in the kitchen, I came up with this banana pudding cake recipe to combine the two. My family and friends can't get enough of it! If you are pressed for time, you may substitute whipped topping for the homemade sweetened whipped cream. \u2014Tiffany Barbee, Rocky Mount, North CarolinaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Malted Chocolate & Stout Layer Cake<\/a>If you want a St. Patrick's Day dessert<\/a> that will take the cake, look no further! The rich chocolate cake is incredibly moist and has a nice malt flavor that's perfectly complemented by the Irish cream frosting. \u2014Jennifer Wayland, Morris Plains, New JerseyGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nWhen assembling a layer cake, you'll want to follow these tips for torting a cake<\/a>.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Red Velvet Cake<\/a>Our red velvet cake recipe is traditionally southern with light, tender, ruby-red cakes held together with a rich vanilla frosting.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Spice Cake with Caramel Icing<\/a>I found this recipe back in the late '80s and knew it was a special cake. The caramel icing can be a little tricky because you have to work quickly, but it's so worth it! \u2014Mariann James, Ferguson, MissouriGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Hazelnut Torte<\/a>Most cake recipes feed a crowd. So we came up with this elegant little cake that serves six. That's enough for two\u2026with just the right amount of leftovers! \u2014Taste Recipes Test KitchenGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Black Walnut Cake<\/a>My mother's family members were all such excellent cooks who were known for their great hospitality. As a longtime family favorite, this old-fashioned cake was always expected to be on the menu at holiday dinners, special occasions and potlucks. \u2014Elisabeth Garrison, Elmer, New JerseyGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Frosting<\/a>You can get a moist, flavorful cake without any weird ingredients using this recipe for chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. The smooth vanilla buttercream filling makes each slice a decadent delight.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Peanut Butter \u2018N\u2019 Jelly Cake<\/a>I made this fun and flavorful peanut butter and jelly cake for my son's first birthday. He just turned 33, and he still has to have his favorite treat. Kids of any age have a hard time turning down peanut butter and jelly\u2014especially when it comes tucked into cake and frosting! \u2014Linda Graybill, Sebring, FloridaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cherry Nut Cake<\/a>My grandmother made up this recipe for her children. Using Ozark-grown cherries and walnuts, she invented one they all liked. Granny always used cream from the dairy farm near her home, but the half-and half works well and is easier to find. \u2014Diana Jennings, Lebanon, MissouriGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Favorite Coconut Cake<\/a>When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I turn to. My guests are glad I do! \u2014Edna Hoffman, Hebron, IndianaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Confetti Birthday Cake with Chocolate Buttercream<\/a>This is a moist confetti cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped chocolate buttercream. It's perfect for birthday celebrations! \u2014Courtney Rich, Highland, UtahGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Strawberry Mascarpone Cake<\/a>Our strawberry mascarpone cake is delicate and decadent, stacking layers of light cake with creamy mascarpone filling, fresh strawberries and whipped cream.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Bavarian Torte<\/a>Whenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. \u2014Edith Holmstrom, Madison, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pink Lemonade Stand Cake<\/a>If you love a moist and creamy cake, this one\u2019s for you. The lemon juice and lemonade give the layers a tangy, citrusy touch, and the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles makes it extra pretty. \u2014Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Carrot Cake with Pecan Frosting<\/a>My husband constantly requests this homey, old-fashioned version of carrot cake. The frosting is still tasty even without the pecans. \u2014Adrian Badon, Denham Springs, Louisiana Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Cake<\/a>We can confidently say that this is the best chocolate cake recipe and, at Taste Recipes<\/em>, we make (and eat!) a lot of cakes. With three moist, fluffy cake layers and a rich, decadent chocolate frosting, we think this will become your go-to chocolate dessert as well.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Ricotta Cake<\/a>This lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. \u2014Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, WashingtonGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake<\/a>Decorate like a professional baker and become everyone's favorite host when you bake this sweet and salty chocolate peanut butter cake.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Italian Cream Cheese Cake<\/a>Buttermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round. \u2014Joyce Lutz, Centerview, MissouriGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pineapple Carrot Cake<\/a>This pineapple carrot cake is sweet, tangy, fluffy and soft. It's perfect for snacking or when you want a dessert that isn't as sweet as other cakes or cookies.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Cranberry Layer Cake<\/a>I adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. \u2014Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio