I Hate Geometry - Help Me Figure The Size Tiers I Need Here
Decorating By FromScratchSF Updated 26 Jun 2012 , 6:20pm by Prima
Maybe it's the very long day I put in today... I normally have zero problem coming up with tier sizes (using Wilton), but I can feel the veins popping out of my forehead trying to come up with what I need.
Bride wants a mixed shape cake (rounds and squares) 200-210 servings.
So please suggest a 200 serving wedding cake that has mixed round/square tiers using Wilton! Double barrels and 1/2 tiers welcome.
Winner gets a <virtual> cookie and my undying gratitude
Jen
You MUST be tired! You know everything about cake.
Anyway, I can offer these two links that shows a couple of cake configurations. Maybe one of the pics will give your tired brain a jump-start.
http://www.wilton.com/cakes/tiered-cakes/serving-amounts-all.cfm
(there are two pages on this one)
http://foodservices.appstate.edu/special-occasions/weddings/wedding-cakes
< feels like a douche that people think I think I know everything about cake.
Thanks, I think?
< feels like a douche that people think I think I know everything about cake.
Thanks, I think?
Bwah! (I have no real input here, I just like your snarkiness.)
I've never designed a wedding cake before so forgive me if I've made an obvious error, but for some reason I do like geometry and came up with the following:
18" square half tier = 81 servings
16" round = 100 servings
10" square half tier = 25 servings
For a total of 206 servings
Although the cake would be wider than it is tall so that might be a deal breaker.
Or you could do:
16" Square = 128 servings
14" Round = 78 servings
(then square or round 6" top tier)
for a total of 206 servings
Ooooh, your question harkens to the geometry nerd in me. I love it!
By the nature of geometry, fitting a square tier on top of a round tier isn't as simple as it appears. While a round cake measures evenly across its diameter, a square cake measures longer in the diagonal. For example, a 10" square cake measures 10" side-to-side, but measures 14.14" in the diagonal. (You can figure the diagonal dimension of any square tier using the pythagoreum theorum). So, when we think of putting a square tier on top of a round, we need to size the round tier to accomodate the diagonal dimension of the square. In this case, a 10" square cake needs a 15" or 16" round beneath it.
Here's a little chart to illustrate what size round tiers are needed beneath square ones:
SQUARE DIAG DIM. FITS ON (ROUND):
4" 5.65" 6" tight, 7" comfy
5" 7.07" 8" or 9"
6" 8.48" 9" tight or 10" comfy
7" 9.89" 10" barely, 11" or 12" comfy
8" 11.3" 12" tight or 13" comfy
9" 12.73" 13" barely, 14" or 15" comfy
10" 14.14" 15 tight or 16" comfy
12" 16.97" 18" or 20"
14" 19.79" 22" or 24"
16" 22.63" 24" barely or 26" (man that's big!)
Just some food for thought. I'll see if I can come up with some tier stacking & serving ideas in a few.
Oops, sorry, it appears my little chart didn't format so well. Hopefully you can get the idea If anyone is interested, I make a better image & attach it.
The chart provided states 12' round and 8' round make 56 servings. Bue Other charts show 52 for same sizes. How do you determine correct # of servings? Don't want to undercharge or undercharge. thanks
The chart provided states 12' round and 8' round make 56 servings. Bue Other charts show 52 for same sizes. How do you determine correct # of servings? Don't want to undercharge or undercharge. thanks
I don't know what other charts you've seen, but the Wilton industry standard chart is fairly accurate (it's what many bakeries use, and how most venues will slice):
http://www.wilton.com/cakes/making-cakes/baking-wedding-cake-2-inch-pans.cfm
Metria's Cake Calculator (by volume) chart is helpful for figuring out alternative serving sizes:
http://shinymetalobjects.net/cake/calculator/cakulator.cgi
On the earlier chart provided that states 12" and 8" round serves 56, that doesn't include the top tier... as noted:
"Please note: The top tier is often saved for the first anniversary. The number of servings given here does not include the top tier."
Hi Apti
I found your reply was very helpful as I too am a new cake decorator - many thanks for sharing the link.
Cheers
Here's a reformatted version of the little chart to illustrate what size round tiers are needed beneath square ones:
SQUARE.........................DIAG DIM. ......................FITS ON (ROUND):
4"................................... 5.65"................................6" tight, 7" comfy
5"....................................7.07"................................8" or 9"
6"....................................8.48"................................9" tight or 10" comfy
7"....................................9.89"...............................10" barely, 11" or 12" comfy
8"....................................11.3"...............................12" tight or 13" comfy
9"....................................12.73".............................13" barely, 14" or 15" comfy
10"..................................14.14".............................15 tight or 16" comfy
12"..................................16.97".............................18" or 20"
14"..................................19.79.............................. 22" or 24"
16"..................................22.63".............................24" barely or 26" (man that's big!)
Hope some of you find it helpful.
Wow, I just found two images from Pink Cake Box that are similar to the last tier configurations I sent. One has spacers, one without. Not sure of the tier sizing, but I think they are close. Hopefully this helps with visualization.
Okay, sorry, I'll get off my mini obsession with this topic, and actually go get some work done. (My personality: completely obsessed or totally uninterested).
I vote for Prima to get the virtual cookie. (Your computer skills and math are impressive!)
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