Cake size & serving guide

Choosing the right cake size can feel confusing, especially when cakes differ in height, fillings and the type of event. My cakes are tall (around 15–17 cm), generous in flavour and quite filling, so they often provide more portions than standard sponge cakes.

This guide will help you choose the right size for your celebration and understand how many servings you can expect from each cake.

Serving types: wedding/finger vs party/dessert

There are two standard serving styles used for cakes:

Wedding / finger portion

A smaller, elegant slice, approximately 1 × 1 inch at full cake height.

Best suited for:

• weddings
• large celebrations
• events with a full meal or dessert table
• children’s parties (most children do not finish a full dessert-sized slice)

Party / dessert portion

A larger, more generous slice, approximately 1.5 × 2 inches at full cake height.

Best suited for:

• birthdays and family celebrations
• when the cake is the main dessert
• smaller gatherings where guests may want a bigger slice

All portion numbers in the tables below are based on my real recipes, cake heights and serving experience.
The “Party / Dessert” column reflects a generous serving.
The “Wedding / Finger” column shows the same cake cut into smaller portions (approximately 25% more servings).

Cake height

All Wonderland Bakehouse cakes are tall, usually around 15–17 cm in height.

This means:

• even smaller cake sizes give a good number of servings
• slices are tall and visually impressive
• cakes are structured enough to cut into smaller finger portions if needed

Because of this, my serving numbers may be higher than generic online charts for the same cake diameter.

• One-tier cakes (tall cakes, approx. 15–17 cm high)

These sizes work well for birthdays, intimate celebrations and smaller events.

• Two-tier cakes

Two-tier cakes are ideal for medium-sized weddings and celebrations where you want a visual centrepiece and a good number of portions.

• Three-tier cakes

Three-tier cakes work well for larger weddings and events.
If you expect a very large guest count, an additional cutting cake can be added.

• Square cakes

Square cakes generally provide more servings than round cakes of the same size because of their shape.

Square cakes are a good option when you want more servings from a single-tier design.

• Heart-shaped cakes

Heart-shaped cakes are perfect for intimate celebrations, engagements and smaller weddings.

How to choose the right cake size

A simple step-by-step way to decide:

Step 1 – Number of guests

Start with how many people you realistically plan to serve.

Step 2 – Type of event and serving style

Use party/dessert portions if:

• the cake is the main dessert
• there is no additional dessert table
• you know your guests enjoy a generous slice

Use wedding/finger portions if:

• there is a full meal before the cake (multi-course dinner)
• there is a dessert table or other sweets
• the event is a large wedding
• the cake is more symbolic and you mainly want a “taste for everyone”
• the cake is for children (most children eat smaller slices)

Step 3 – Decide on a buffer

Adding a small buffer is usually a good idea:

• Weddings: add around 10–15% extra portions
• Family parties: add around 5–10%
• Children’s parties: usually no buffer is required, as children rarely finish a full slice

Step 4 – Match the numbers to a cake size

Use the tables above to find the closest size that comfortably covers your guest count (including your buffer).
If you are between sizes, it is better to choose the slightly larger option, especially for weddings or events where guests may want seconds.

Example scenarios

Here are a few examples to make it easier:

• 20–25 guests, birthday party, cake as main dessert:
  A 7″ or 8″ tall cake using party/dessert portions.
• 40–45 guests, wedding with a full meal and dessert table:
  A two-tier 6″ + 8″ cake using wedding/finger portions.
• 70–80 guests, wedding with a full meal and cake served as the main dessert:
  A three-tier 6″ + 8″ + 10″ cake, using party/dessert portions or a mix of serving sizes.
• 15–20 children, kids’ party:
  A 6″ or 7″ cake using wedding/finger portions.

Why my serving numbers may look different to other charts

My cakes are:

• taller than standard supermarket or basic sponge cakes
• richer in texture and flavour
• made with multiple layers of sponge, creams, curds or confit

Because of this, even a small slice is satisfying, and each cake can provide more portions than a lower, lighter cake of the same diameter.

The serving ranges in my guide are based on real orders, feedback and practical experience, not just generic charts. They are designed to give you a realistic idea of how many guests you can comfortably serve.

If you are unsure

If you are not sure what size to choose, you do not need to calculate everything yourself.

You can simply tell me:

• what you are celebrating
• how many guests you expect
• whether there will be other desserts or a full meal

I will recommend a suitable size (or tiered combination) based on your event and how you plan to serve the cake.