Actual Size Of Sheet Cakes?

Decorating By crazydaisy Updated 8 Nov 2006 , 10:45pm by crazydaisy

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crazydaisy Posted 8 Nov 2006 , 4:27pm
post #1 of 5

Ok...what the heck size is a "full sheet cake". When I go to my local cake supply store to buy a box for a full sheet cake, it fits a 12x18 cake. However, on the internet, a full sheet cake box is twice the size. So which is it or is that up to us as individual bakers? Thanks!

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Linsey Posted 8 Nov 2006 , 4:42pm
post #3 of 5

What they gave you was actually for a half sheet cake. Generally a 1/4 sheet cake is 9x13. Half sheet is double that - 13x18. A full sheet will be double that again at 18x26. Imagine 4 regular 13x9 cake pans put together in a rectangle. That's a full sheet.

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justsweet Posted 8 Nov 2006 , 5:38pm
post #4 of 5

I was given this information about a year ago.

1/2 sheet to be 12 x 18 and you can get 40 - 48 pieces.

Full sheet pan Standard 24x16x2
3/4 sheet pan- 18X12X2
Half sheet pan Standard 16x12x2
Quarter sheet pan Standard 13x9

Quarter Sheets, Half Sheets, and Full Sheets Explained

The retail baking industry developed standard sizes for rectangular sheet cakes, beginning with their standard sheet pan size of 16 by 24 and dividing it into halves (half-sheet) or quarters (quarter-sheet). The manufacturers who supply paper and plastic items to the baking industry use these standard sizes to create a variety of cake boards, boxes, and domes.

In an effort to develop a unique market share, some manufacturers began promoting pans of slightly different sizes, selling mainly to home bakers through hobby and specialty stores. Since home bakers do not have the volume purchasing power of retail bakers, most of the paper and plastics manufacturers have not created boards or boxes to accommodate these sizes.

The bottom line: Boards and containers for sheet cakes will always be easier to find if you use the retail baking industry's standard size pans. You will save yourself a lot of frustration by sticking with the standards.

Baking and Paper Industry Standards; The sizes below are recognized as industry standards.

Quarter Sheet Cakes: 8 x 12 pan, 10 x 14 cardboard

Half Sheet Cakes: 12 x 16 pan, 13.5 to 14 x 18.5 cardboard

Full Sheet Cakes: 16 x 24 pan, 19 x 27 cardboard


Non-standard Sizes. These sizes are not standard sizes. Suitable boards and containers can be very difficult to find.

9 x 13 pan: We call it the large quarter size. Very few of the paper suppliers carry the boards (11 x 15) and boxes (12 x 16) for cakes made in 9 x 13 pans.

10 x 15 pan: Use the standard half sheet boards and boxes

11 x 15 pan: Use the standard half sheet boards and boxes

12 x 18 pan: We call it the large half size. This size pan will not fit in most home ovens. Wilton sells a set of 14 x 20 boards that can be used with this pan, but they sell no boxes. If you cannot locate a large half board (14 x 20) and box (14.5 x 20.5), you will have to use full sheet boards and boxes.

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crazydaisy Posted 8 Nov 2006 , 10:45pm
post #5 of 5

THANK YOU! I so much appreciate everybody's info.

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