Last Updated on December 16, 2022
If you have ever been to a bakery, you likely know what a half-sheet cake size is and have probably had one at a celebration before. It is a popular choice for birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, or any special occasion. Since they are popular for celebrating special occasions, they can be beautifully decorated with custom text added to them.
Bakeries and grocery stores generally sell half-sheet cakes for special orders. Some places will even have pre-made cakes ready to purchase to which you can add text. Before you order a half-sheet cake, you should know what size it is so you can make sure you have enough cake.
What is a Half Sheet Cake?
A half-sheet cake is a large rectangular cake that is commonly served for large gatherings of people. It can either be a single or double layer of cake. A double-layer cake is a great way to get more servings out of your cake.
You will most commonly see half-sheet cakes in white, yellow, marble, or chocolate flavors. They are most commonly decorated with delicious buttercream frosting. However, some bakeries offer more flavors of cake and frosting to choose from.
Benefits of a Half Sheet Cake
Though round cakes can be great for small gatherings, half-sheet cakes are often a better choice when you have a larger group of people. With a half-sheet cake, it is much easier to cut equal slices of cake thanks to its large rectangular size. The slices will also be neater and easier to serve.
How Big is a Half Sheet Cake Size?
A half-sheet cake size can vary depending on where you get it from. When you get a half-sheet cake from a bakery, it is generally either 15 inches by 11 inches, 15 1/2 inches by 10 1/2 inches or even as big as 16 inches by 12 inches. Since home ovens are smaller than bakery or grocery store ovens, a home half sheet cake will likely measure 13 inches by 9 inches.
Depending on how you slice it, a half-sheet cake will likely serve between 18 to 40 people. A double-layer half-sheet cake will allow you to get larger pieces, so it is a good option if you are serving a larger amount of people.
Full Sheet and Quarter Sheet Cakes
In addition to a half, sheet cakes also come in full and quarter sizes. Most homemade sheet cake recipes are quarter sheet cakes, as full sheet cakes generally do not fit in most home ovens.
A full-sheet cake is ideal for big gatherings of people, such as corporate events and large parties. They generally measure 18 inches by 24 inches. A full sheet cake will typically serve 64 to 96 people.
Quarter sheets cakes are great for smaller gatherings, like birthday parties and barbecues. A quarter sheet cake typically measures 13 inches by 9 inches. It will generally serve 16 to 24 people.
Making Your Own Half Sheet Cakes
If you want to save a trip to the grocery store or bakery, you can make your half-sheet cakes at home. You can either use sheet cake recipes, that call for a 13-inch by 9-inch pan, or use cake mix.
If you use a boxed cake mix to make a half-sheet cake, you will need three boxes of cake mix. For the two-layer cake, you’ll need six boxes of cake mix and two 13-inch by 9-inch pans. It is always best to cook layer cakes at the same time so they both get an even bake.
Decorating
One of the great things about half sheet cake is that there is plenty of room to decorate and personalize it. Buttercream is generally the most common frosting to use as it tastes great and is easy to work with. If you are frosting your half-sheet cake, you will likely need six cups of frosting for a single layer and 8-10 cups for a double-layer cake.
For adding words, it is generally recommended to use a #2 piping tip. This will create elegant lettering, without the words looking bulky. A #21 piping tip is recommended for frosting borders and #127, 122 and 349 piping tips are great for making flowers.
If you don’t feel confident in your piping skills, cake stencils are a great alternative for creating elegant designs. Cake stencils can be easy to use and you can create many different beautiful designs with them. They can also be reused which is great too.
How to Store a Half-Sheet Cake
Since a half-sheet cake size is considerably large, it is not always easy to store. If you want to store your cake whole, you might want to invest in a large cake box. They are easy to transport and can even be reused if desired.
For storing leftover cake, it is best to store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. You can also store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. In addition, you can also freeze your cake for up to three months, tightly covered in plastic wrap.
If you use cream cheese frosting, you should store it in the fridge whenever you are not serving it. Cake with cream cheese frosting can last in the fridge for up to three days. You can also keep it in the freezer for up to one month.
How Do You Get a Half-Sheet Cake Out of the Pan?
Before you remove a half-sheet cake from the pan, you should let it cool down first on a wire rack. Once it has cooled, take a butter knife or off-set spatula and run it around the edge of the cake to help loosen it.
After loosening your cake, gently place a platter on top and then flip it over. Then, carefully remove the pan from the cake. If it is sticking, you may need to gently tap it to help it come out.
To help your cake come seamlessly out of the pan it is beneficial to use parchment paper. Lining the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper, can prevent your cake from sticking and allow for quick and easy removal of your cake. Parchment paper is a great tool to use no matter what size cake you are baking.
What is the Price of a Half-Sheet Cake?
The price of a half-sheet cake can vary widely. Factors that influence the price include cake flavor, fillings, frostings, and decorations. In addition, a cake from a bakery will typically cost more than a cake from a grocery store.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $150 for a half-sheet cake. If your half-sheet cake has elaborate fondant decorations, you can expect to pay more than you would for a cake with just buttercream frosting and no fancy decorations. It is best to discuss with your bakery what design and flavors you want for your half-sheet cake so you can understand how much it will cost before ordering.
Will a Half-Sheet Cake Fit in My Fridge?
Most standard-size fridges with French doors can fit a half-sheet cake with no problem. However, not all side-by-side fridges with the fridge on one side and the freezer on the other side can fit a half-sheet cake.
If you are unsure if your fridge will fit a half-sheet cake, measure it first. A half-sheet cake is typically 18 x 13 or 15 x 11 inches, but keep in mind you need to take into consideration the size of the container it is in as well.
How Much Does a Half-Sheet Cake Weigh?
Generally, a half-sheet cake will weigh between five to six pounds. There are a few factors that will affect the weight such as the density of the cake and the amount of frosting used. In addition, if there are any fillings or decorations, this will increase the weight.
While most half-sheet cakes are one layer, they can also be two layers sometimes. If the half-sheet cake is two layers then you can expect it to weigh more.
How Do You Cut a Half-Sheet Cake Into 40 Pieces?
To cut your half-sheet cake into 40 pieces, begin by scoring your cake so that there will be 40 even-sized pieces. Then, use a sharp knife to cut your cake into clean, even squares.
How many icings Do I Need for a Half-Sheet Cake?
In general, you will generally need around six cups of frosting for a half-sheet cake. However, the exact amount will vary by how much frosting you want, if you are doing two layers, and if you plan to make frosting decorations. It is always best to make more frosting than what you need.
How Many People Does a Double Layer Half-Sheet Cake Feed?
A half-sheet cake with two layers can typically feed up to 54 to 60 people. The exact amount it will feed will depend on how big you want your slices. If you prefer to serve party-sized slices, then plan for your double-layer half-sheet cake to get up to 54 servings, of wedding slices, it will feed around 60 people.
The Perfect Party Cake
If you are having a get-together with anywhere from 18 to 40 people, a half-sheet cake is the perfect size. Measuring approximately 15 inches by 11 inches, this size cake is perfect for birthday parties, graduations, and baby showers.
Thanks to its large, rectangular size, a half-sheet cake is great for adding decorations and personalizing text. Though many bakeries and grocery stores sell half-sheet cakes, you can also make your own from home. However, half-sheet cakes you buy in a store or bakery will likely be larger than the ones you make at home.
Please comment if you have any questions or remarks regarding the half-sheet cake size!
Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.
