I kniow this question is as old as the Ozark Hills but I'm asking anyway...how many does a 9x13 inch, two layer (each layer in 2 inches tall) with a filling, serve? This would be a "party cake" and if someone would tell me how big the pieces should be cut, that would be helpful. Sorry for asking this but I'm trying to get it stuck in my brain.

1x2x4inches or 2x2x2inches is standard size; 8 cubic inches of cake.

A piece 1x2x4 (called 'wedding serving') is the same amount of cake as a 2x2x2 (called 'party size') soooooooooo

Your 9x13x4 would be cut into 1x2x4 pieces and will serve 96.
Let the customer decide if they want to serve bigger pieces BUT.....base the pricing on the 1x2x4 # of servings.

For that much cake I'd charge around $150. I know, I know.... that's on the low end of the scale - only about $1.50 a serving.
Many are now charging $3.50 a serving.

I just made one and it only fed 25 Navy guys. They ate it in 5 minutes flat, but it is supposed to feed 45 party servings.

no more than 45 party servings

A serving size is a serving size. I tell them how many servings there are and how big it is. If they have big guys or teenage boys, I recommend that they buy more cake.

Holy cow! $150 for a 9x13? That is crazy! No way would that serve 96. That is exactly what confuses people. I just go by what I think a good serving size is and price from there. So I would go by 40 servings in that.

I have seen 1/2 of a single layer 9x13 go down the gullet of a teenage boy in about 3 minutes.
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So, if I did the math correctly...
Double layer = 9x13x4 = 468 cubic inches of cake; divide that by 8 cubic inches of cake, and you get 58.5 servings.
Single layer = 9x13x2 = 234; divided by 8 = 29.25 servings.
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Kakeladi - how do you get 96 servings?

Kakeladi: oh crap...I made this cake for a gal who needed it for a bridal shower and to feed 30 people...I charged her 50 bucks..oh dear...well, thank you for setting the record for me.

I can see how a bunch of guys would devour it within minutes, it's like throwing a steak to the lions cage..at least it's that way around my office!

Thanks to everyone for your quick and informative responses..I understand that once the cake goes out the door, there's not any controlling how it will be cut...thanks again everyone, I will be keeping this info close to the vest from now on.

7yyrt: one of my favorite words because it makes me giggle: gullet. Thanks for that, I needed it today! Also, thanks for the detailed breakdown of the measurements and resulting servings...that really helps...I knew when I put this two layered baby together, that it would serve more than 30 but didn't know how many more.

Thanks again everybody!

check out this site

http://shinymetalobjects.net/cake/calculator/cake_calculator.cgi

Doesn't anyone ever want leftover cake? I sure do! And a 1x2x4 piece of cake is an appetizer to be eaten before dessert (which could be another--bigger--piece of cake).

I thought a 9 x 13 x 4 would yield around 52 servings (cut 1 x 2 x 4).

I also came up with 52-54 servings

Birthday and Party Cake Serving Chart from: http://www.fosterscreations.us
1/4 Sheet (9x13)

Slice Size  # of servings
2 x 2  =24
2 x 3  =16
3 x 3  =12
2 x 1 = 52
(2 Layer)

Here's a link to a sketch someone posted that shows how different size sheet cakes can be cut to yield various servings. I know the sketch refers to only 2" high cakes, but whether its 2" or 4", it still usually gets cut the same. Hope this helps!

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1300481

great links to cutting and serving charts...thanks..my printer is busy right now!!

O.k. everybody I guess I hadn't had my caffine before coming up with my answer of 92 servings.....sorry about that! That's what I get for trying to remember things when I haven't used it for a long time

Just for the record.....that link to the chart .... www.cakecentral.com/mod....id 1300481....
Ijust took a quick look at it and I disagree w/their labling a 9x13 a '1/4 sheet'. The servings is good, but should not be calling it a 1/4 sheet -- That is a 12x8x2.

Reminds me of the 8 inch '1/4 yard' pieces the lady at the fabric store always tries to sell me.

"Excuse me, but 36 divided by 4 is 9, not 8 inches."
I had better be getting 9 inches when I pay for 9 inches.

It depends on the market, the decorations, the ingredients, and the overall skills of the decorator. While I may not be able to charge those prices I can certainly see how others could due to those reasons.

If it's a one layer cake with shells border, simple inscription, and a few roses- probably not. If it's a two layer with hazelnut filling, fondant figures and other fondant details- sure. As long as the market can bear it, that's the proper price and people will pay it. (Yes, "market can bear it" is a simplification.)

Wow, thanks for shaing the cutting chart info. I will definitely use rhem!

........36 divided by 4 is 9, not 8 inches." .......I had better be getting 9 inches when I pay for 9 inches. .......

Here again, sorry for not keeping up with this thread.

My reasoning for using 8" as the dividing # is that *EVERY!* cake shrinks at least 1/2" after baking.
If it ididn't it would never come out of the pan
And........one could count (serve) the 1/2 serving left when actually measuring 2x2" servings in a *9*x*13*.

Thanks for that link Dolledupcakes!

No problem kakeladi, I was just airing a similar grievance I have with measuring at the fabric store.

I squeeze every last micrometer out of fabric. Sometimes that darn 1 x 45 inches of fabric means I can or can't make something.