The Ultimate Guide to Sheet Cake: Easy to Make and Feeds Everyone! posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Do you love sheet cake? Well, you’re not alone. Sheet cake is one of the most popular types of cakes around. But what is sheet cake, exactly? And how do you serve and decorate it? In this post, we’ll answer all of your questions about sheet cake. We will discuss the different sizes and servings, as well as how to decorate it in a variety of ways. So whether you’re looking for a new dessert to add to your menu or just want to learn more about this delicious type of cake, read on! Table of ContentsAbout Sheet CakePreparing Sheet CakesDecorating Sheet CakesStoring Sheet CakeServing Sheet CakeSheet Cake Serving ChartSheet Cake RecipesSheet Cake FAQ About Sheet Cake Sheet cake is a type of cake that is baked in one large sheet, as opposed to being baked in individual rounds like most other cakes. This makes it perfect for feeding a large crowd, since you can cut it into small pieces and everyone will get their own slice. There are different sizes of sheet cake, and the most common ones are the half sheet and quarter sheet. The half sheet is about 18×13 inches, while the quarter sheet is about nine inches square. Preparing Sheet Cakes The way the sheet cakes are cut is exactly how they got their name—they look like an extra large cookie sheet! Bake cakes in pans according to your preferred size (quarter sheet, half sheet, etc.) Once prepared, feel free to frost your cake with whatever type of icing you choose. Decorating Sheet Cakes There are all sorts of ways to decorate sheet cake. One popular option is to use fondant icing, which can be molded into any shape you want. You can also use frosting to create a design, or top it with fresh fruit or candy. If you’re feeling creative, there’s no limit to what you can do! We have some fun and festive sheet cake decorating ideas that will give you some inspiration: Frost the top with chocolate or vanilla frosting, then use a piping bag to pipe swirls around the edge.Top with fresh fruit or berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)Sprinkle with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar for a sweet treatDrizzle with caramel or chocolate sauceAdd a few simple decorations, like edible flowers or candy heartsFrost the cake in one color and then use a contrasting color for the decoration.Use piped frosting to create designs on top of the cake.Top the cake with fresh fruit or other edible decorations.Make a cascading waterfall effect by layering As you can see, there are lots of ways to dress up a sheet cake. So whether you’re looking for something festive and colorful for a party or something simple and classic for a family gathering, you can find the perfect recipe and decoration ideas here. Storing Sheet Cake If you don’t think you’ll be able to eat your sheet cake within about 24 hours, make sure it’s stored in the fridge. Otherwise the cake will lose its fluffy texture and become too moist. Serving Sheet Cake Sheet cake is usually served by cutting it into small pieces and serving it on a platter or cake stand. You can also frost it and top it with fresh fruit or other decorations, which makes it look beautiful and festive. If you’re taking your cake to a party or potluck, just be sure to pack everything separately so that the frosting doesn’t get smushed in transit! Sheet Cake Serving Chart NUMBER OF CAKESCAKE SIZENUMBER OF SERVINGS1/2 Cake12 x 18 inches2-3 Servings3/4 Cake16 x 24 inches4-6 Servings1 Cake20 x 30 inches8-12 Servings1 1/2 Cake24 x 36 inches14-20 Servings2 Cakes30 x 42 inches24-32 Servings4 Cakes60 x 90 inches64-96 Servings Sheet Cake Recipes When you want to try out making a sheet cake from scratch, here are some of my favorite recipes: Cinnamon Roll Sheet Cake Get the Recipe Yellow Birthday Cake with Creamy Chocolate Frosting Get the Recipe Texas Sheet Cake Get the Recipe Caramel Apple Sheet Cake Get the Recipe Sheet Cake FAQ Let’s cover all the frequently asked questions about sheet cakes: Can I make sheet cakes ahead of time? What about freezing them? Yes! You can make a sheet cake about 24-48 hours before you need them. You’ll just want to store them in an airtight container or wrap with plastic wrap so they don’t dry out.If you want to bake the sheet cakes even further in advance, say about 2 weeks ahead of time, you may freeze them for about 3 months without noticeable changes in flavor. Just remember to let it thaw overnight, then decorate as desired. What kind of pan do I use? Do I have to line it with parchment paper? The most common type of pan is a quarter sheet pan which is about 12×16 inches with 1-inch tall sides and no parchment paper lining required. The short sides (about 18 inches long) make it great for fitting in most kitchen ovens.If you want to use a half sheet pan, about 18×23 inches, you can find them at restaurant supply stores or online here. You’ll want to line the bottom with parchment paper before using the non-stick spray and flour method. What if I’m not skilled at decorating? The most important tip is do not over decorate. Keep things simple (and tasteful!). If it looks too busy, then no one will remember what they ate.If you want to go the extra mile, add about 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to about 1/2 cup heavy cream and about 3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar. Whisk until it becomes a glaze and use a small offset spatula to cover the entire sheet cake lightly in a crumb-coat (apply a thin layer that seals in all the crumbs). What is a Texas Sheet Cake? A Texas sheet cake is about the same as any other sheet cake recipe, but about twice as tall. About 2 dozen cupcakes fit on a half sheet pan and there’s about two layers of cake and about 1 1/2 cups frosting in between each layer.If you’re making a Texas sheet cake, we recommend about doubling the recipe for about a half sheet cake or about 18×23 inches. Life’s Better With Cake I hope that this article about sheet cakes has helped you in some way. Don’t be afraid to try a sheet cake for your next party and let us know how it goes! Leave a comment below about anything you think we should add about this article about sheet cakes.
