I Hate Geometry - Help Me Figure The Size Tiers I Need Here

Decorating By FromScratchSF Updated 26 Jun 2012 , 6:20pm by Prima

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FromScratchSF Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 3:36am
post #1 of 24

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 icon_biggrin.gif

Jen

23 replies
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Apti Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 3:43am
post #2 of 24

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

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FromScratchSF Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 4:12am
post #3 of 24

< feels like a douche that people think I think I know everything about cake.

Thanks, I think?

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dandymom Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 4:34am
post #4 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by FromScratchSF

< 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.)

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KLCCrafts Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 5:05am
post #5 of 24

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.

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Apti Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 5:12am
post #6 of 24

so......has anybody gotten the virtual cookie yet?

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KLCCrafts Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 5:40am
post #7 of 24

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

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cathyscakes Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 6:16am
post #8 of 24

I like the way a 16" square, 12" round, 9" square, and 6" round looks.

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mcaulir Posted 24 Jun 2012 , 10:09am
post #9 of 24

What about 16square / 14 square / 12 round / 8 square / 6 round for 215 servings.

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 2:22am
post #10 of 24

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.

icon_biggrin.gif

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 2:25am
post #11 of 24

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.

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ginger6361 Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 3:09am
post #12 of 24

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

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ginger6361 Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 3:13am
post #13 of 24

Also, how much would you add if doing fondant decorations?

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 4:29am
post #14 of 24

Jen,

Okay, I've got a few options for you to browse. I wasn't able to get exactly 210 servings, but I could get 195 or 216 servings. Here are a few layouts:
LL

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 4:30am
post #15 of 24

& another...
LL

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 4:32am
post #16 of 24

& another...
LL

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CWR41 Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 5:51am
post #17 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by ginger6361

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."

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kalykreations Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 9:02am
post #18 of 24

Hi Apti

I found your reply was very helpful as I too am a new cake decorator - many thanks for sharing the link.

Cheers

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mcaulir Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 9:44am
post #19 of 24

I think Prima deserves the cookie!

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 1:16pm
post #20 of 24

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. icon_smile.gif

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 1:40pm
post #21 of 24

Okay, 210 servings right on the money, plus 4" top tier for their anniversary:

4" round
7" square
12" round
16" square

One plain, and one with styrofoam spacers for flowers (gives it some more height, too). No double barrels or half tiers in this one, but it still looks nice. icon_smile.gif
LL
LL
LL

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 4:37pm
post #22 of 24

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). icon_cool.gif
LL
LL
LL

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Apti Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 6:18pm
post #23 of 24

I vote for Prima to get the virtual cookie. (Your computer skills and math are impressive!)

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Prima Posted 26 Jun 2012 , 6:20pm
post #24 of 24

Ha ha, that's my architecture training applied to caking. icon_smile.gif

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