Help Sheet Cake People...............
Decorating By Theav Updated 21 Aug 2006 , 1:26pm by Steady2Hands
I need andvice on a 12 x 18 sheet cake. Making it for an engagement party in six days. It needs to feed about 80 people. I have the 2" pan.
Do I tort the 2" cake or make 2, two inch layers? This is my first sheet cake and the first cake I am doing for someone else. I would love any advice about any part of the process.
I always make 2 - two inch layers because I like a nice high cake and I think that makes the sides much easier to decorate. I think trying to torte a 12X18 might be kinda a nightmare anyway. HTH 
You may want to check your serving amounts. A 12x18 will not serve 80. I usually get 48 2x2 cuts. You may want to make 2 seperate cakes or put the 2 together to get a full sheet. A full sheet will feed 96 on a 2x2. You of course will need a large sturdy board because it will be heavy. If you fill your pan at least 2/3rds full your cake should rise to a nice size. A agree torting would be a pain, but if you have a nice size cake it can be done.
Hi
I have torted a 2" half sheet cake before and it worked well for me. I made slight cuts into the cake measuring from the bottom up 1" and then used a really strong thread, placed it around the cake where the cuts were made and then pulled the two strings.......not sure if I'm making sense.
I have torted a 12x18 before. I inserted toothpicks at the same distance around the cake for guidance. I then took dental floss (not flavored) and cut through the center of the sheet making sure I was just above the toothpicks on both sides at all times. The hard part was using a board to separate the two layers. I would agree with the others though - I am not sure that would feed all that you need it to.
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade but I have a 11x5 2 inches high sheet pan and I am also using it for the first time to feed approx 80 people. I am making a sculpted cake of a pony with it and I plan on cutting my piece approx 3x2. Can anyone please tell me how many of this sheet pan do I need to bake in order to feed that many people and that portion? I am a sheet pan newbie. I also want to know is this half a sheet or what, I have no clue?
drgrl-if you cut pieces approx 3x2, the most you will get out of an 11 x 15 pan is 25 (with an inch to spare). This is the size that a lot of people cut for birthday cake slices if the cake is only 2 inches high-it's a good sized piece. Some people use an 11 x 15 for a half sheet, and some use 12 x 18.
If you cut that size-without the extra pony cake (because we don't know how big that one is) you would either have to make 3 of those and be a little short of cake, or make four with leftovers. HTH.
Theav
Here's how to figure serving sizes:
(For a 12 x 18 single layer)
For a serving size of 2 x 2:
12 / 2 = 6
18 / 2 = 9
6 x 9 = 54 servings
For a serving size of 2 x 3:
12 / 3 = 4
18 / 2 = 9
4 x 9 = 36 servings
(For a 12 x 18 double layer)
For a serving size 1 x 2 (wedding size):
12 / 1 = 12
18 / 2 = 9
12 x 9 = 108 servings *
For a serving size 1 1/2 x 2 (party size):
12 / 1.5 = 8
18 / 2 = 9
8 x 9 = 72
* Wilton say 98 but when you do the math it works out to 108.
You could make a double layer and as long as they know to cut the cake 1 x 2 there should be plenty.
I have also torted 2" half sheets-just sliced with my large serrated knife. Then, slide a cookie sheet under the first layer and take it off, fill and put it back...no problem. But, as cupcake mentioned, you will still need more cake.
Do you have trouble with breakage when removing and replacing the top layer on a torted cake? 
My cakes are, I guess, too moist to do this without trouble. How do you do with a 16", etc. and what do you use to remove and replace the torted top. 
Thanks for the help.
Vicky
drgrl21
According to "Wilton's" serving guide an 11 x 15 (2 layer) = 60 party servings. (That would be a 1 1/2" x 2" slice which is the same as a 2" x 3" for a single layer).
BUT when you divide like the example I gave above you only end up with 54 servings for a 2 layer cake. So your pony cake would need to feed at least 26 in order to get 80 total servings.
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