Quarter Sheet Cake
A quarter sheet cake is probably one of the most common types of cake there is. It is a very simple, yet versatile style of cake. There are so many different uses to enjoy a quarter sheet cake including all of your holiday gatherings, birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, weddings, or any life event where dessert is present.
Quarter Sheet Cake Size – Everything You Need To Know
Whether you are making your own cake or looking to purchase a cake it’s important to know what a quarter sheet cake is, and all things related to a sheet cake. Below we are going to cover everything you know regarding a quarter-sheet cake.
What Is A Sheet Cake?
A sheet cake is one of the most common types of cake. A sheet cake is made using a sheet pan which is long and wide and makes a cake that is approximately 1 to 2 inches thick. Sheet cakes are typically made in a single layer.
These cakes are most commonly used for birthdays, baby showers, and even sometimes for weddings when they are stretching a buck.
You can find sheet cakes in the bakery section of most grocery stores, or they can be purchased from a bakery. You can also easily make sheet cakes simply using a sheet pan at home.
How Big is a Quarter Sheet Cake
A quarter sheet cake is a common name for a 9 x 13 sheet cake. Although you may have other dimensions of cake referred to as quarter sheet cake, they are all going to be approximately 9 x 13 inches in size.
Quarter Sheet Cake Size
Most commonly a quarter sheet cake is a 9 x 13-inch cake.
How Deep are Quarter Sheet Cakes?
A quarter sheet cake’s depth may vary depending on what type of pin is used, etc. On average a quarter sheet cake will be between 1 inch and 2 inches deep.
How Many People Will a Quarter Sheet Cake Feed?
How many people a quarter sheet cake feeds may vary depending on what size pieces the cake is cut into.
The most common size slices that are cut are approximately 2in x 2in for a piece of cake. 9 x 13 cake is cut into pieces that are 2 in squares, the cake will feed approximately 30 people.
However, if you want to cut larger pieces, for instance, a quarter sheet cake that is cut into pieces that are 2in x 3in or feed approximately 19 people.
Or when a quarter sheet cake is cut into approximately 3in x 3in squares it will feed approximately 13 people.
How do you cut a quarter sheet cake?
The most common ways to cut a quarter sheet cake is to cut pieces that are approximately 2in x 2in, 2in x 3in, or 3in x 3in.
Standard Sheet Cake Sizes
Only is there a quarter sheet cake, which is typically a cake measuring 9 x 13, but there is also a half sheet cake and a full sheet cake. Below are the most common dimensions for each of these sheet cake sizes.
Quarter Sheet Cake
9 x 13
Half Sheet Cake
13 x 18
Full Sheet Cake
18 x 26
The Difference Between Full, Half, and Quarter Sheet Cake Sizes
The main difference between a quarter sheet cake, a half sheet cake, and a full sheet cake is of course their size. Each of these sizes of sheet cakes has a different purpose that they are typically used for.
Obviously, the larger the size of the sheet cake the more people it will feed. When you are having a larger event, then you will likely want a bigger cake so that it goes farther.
Number of Servings per Sheet Cake
Quarter Sheet Cake (9 x 13)
Piece Size Total Servings
2 in x 2 in 29.25
2 in x 3 in 19.5
3 in x 3 in 13
Half Sheet Cake (13 x 18)
Piece Size Total Servings
2 in x 2 in 58.5
2 in x 3 in 39
3 in x 3 in 26
Full Sheet Cake (18 x 26)
Piece Size Total Servings
2 in x 2 in 117
2 in x 3 in 78
3 in x 3 in 52
Sheet Cake Servings Formula
Perhaps you have a pan that is a different size than shown above. To determine how many people your cake will serve, you can use this simple formula below.
Cake pan’s area (pan’s length X pan’s width) ÷ Cake serving area (cake piece length X cake piece width) = total number of servings
The cake pan’s area is determined by multiplying the pan’s length by the width. If you were using a 9 x 13 cake pan, you would simply multiply 9×13.
You can then determine the cake serving area, by multiplying the length of the piece of cake by the width of the piece of cake. For example, if you were cutting pieces of cake that are 2-inch squares, you would multiply 2” x 2” to find the cake serving area.
Then to figure out your total number of servings you take the number you found for the cake pan area and divide it by the cake serving area that you found above. This will give you the total number of servings for your size cake.
Example Calculation
Cake pan’s area (pan’s length X pan’s width) ÷ Cake serving area (cake piece length X cake piece width) = total number of servings
Cake pan’s area (9in X 13in) ÷ Cake serving area (2in X 2in) = total number of servings
Cake pan’s area (117) ÷ Cake serving area (4) = total number of servings
29.25 = total number of servings
Choosing the Right Sheet Cake Pan for Your Needs
Total servings. Make sure you choose a cake pan that is large enough to serve as many people as you need. Also, be sure to take into account what size pieces you intend to cut the cake into.
The most common size of cake pan is a quarter cake, however, if you are hosting a larger event such as a wedding, you will want to use a much bigger pan.
Nonstick. Make sure that you use a nonstick cake pan, or use cooking spray, cover the pan in a layer of flour before adding your cake batter, or use a pan liner so that you can remove the cake easily if you are baking your own cake.
Uses For The Standard Sheet Cake Sizes
There are many different uses for standard sheet cake sizes. Think of birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, picnics, holidays, and pretty much any kind of gathering that you want to have a cake at, and sheet cake is the perfect answer.
How Sheet Cakes Are Baked
Sheet cakes are baked in the oven in large flat pans. These pans are typically called sheet pans or jelly rolls. Most home ovens will only fit quarter-sheet cakes and half-sheet cakes. Full-sheet cakes are typically too large to fit in a normal oven.
Things To Consider When Making Sheet Cakes
When you are making a sheet cake, make sure to first consider the size, how many people you need to serve with the cake, and what size pieces you hope to cut the cake into. Once you know these things, select the correct size pan, and make your cake.
Tips And Tricks
Prevent it from Sticking. A great way to prevent your sheet cake from sticking to the pan is to use cooking spray on the pan before adding the cake.
Coat the pan with a light dusting of flour, or add a layer of parchment paper at the bottom of the pan before adding the cake batter.
Layer if Desired. Because some sheet cakes are very thin, you can layer them together if desired. Simply add a bit of frosting or fruit in between the layers to help them stick together.
Decorate Simply. Sheet cakes are great because they are so simple. You can also decorate them simply if desired. Usually, you will see sheet cakes with a plain layer of frosting and a border.
If you are feeling adventurous you can try making frosting roses for decorations or simply use other toppings to decorate.
What to Use to Decorate a Quarter Sheet Cake?
Begin with a frosting. Usually, buttercream is the preferred type of frosting for a quarter sheet cake. After you have the frosting on the cake, you can begin to decorate it with frosting, or other ingredients. Below are a few of our favorites.
Chocolate
Chocolate candies
Sprinkles
Fruit
Caramel
Candy
FAQs
How much does a 1/4 sheet cake feed?
How much a quarter sheet cake feeds depends on what size the pieces are cut into. On average it will feed between 12 and 30 people.
What size is a 1/4 sheet cake pan?
Usually, a quarter sheet cake describes a cake pan that is 9×13 inches.
How much cake do I need for 25 guests?
If you are okay with pieces that are 2 inches by 2 inches a 9×13 quarter sheet cake will do the trick. Otherwise, you will want to look for a sheet cake that is a little larger.
What does a 1/2 sheet cake look like?
A half sheet cake is usually described as a single layer flat cake that is approximately 13×18 inches.
What’s the best way to measure a sheet cake pan?
The best way to measure a sheet cake pan is to measure the inside of the pan, from the closest points. Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the size.
Quarter Sheet Cake
A quarter sheet cake is usually a single layer cake, that is made in a 9 x 13-inch cake pan and usually ranges between 1 and 2 inches in thickness.
Depending on the size of the pieces the cake is cut into it will usually serve between 12 and 30 people. This type of cake is simple, yet perfect for most any occasion. You will find quarter sheet cakes at many gatherings and special events.
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