Have we been cutting cake wrong our whole lives?

“Normal” cake etiquette has been to slice in triangular wedges. But this can have some unexpected drawbacks. Is this really the best way?

British author Alex Bellos begs to differ. In a guide called How to Cut a Cake According to Scientific Principles, he demonstrates an alternative way that makes a surprising amount of sense.

This debate is far from new; as Alex explains, Englishman Francis Galton wrote a paper way back in 1906 claiming the “wedge method” was faulty.

Why? When you place a cut cake in the fridge, it dries out too quickly. We all want to enjoy fresh cake the next day, so it’s worth giving this method a go!

We have broken down the method from Alex’s YouTube video into five easy steps. What do you think of this clever trick?

Step1

Before you are tempted to cut from the middle down, STOP. The correct way is to slice through the centre, cutting the entire cake in half. To cut a piece out of the cake, repeat and slice 1-2 cm apart from the original cut.

Step 2

Carefully remove the long, thin slice onto a plate. This piece can be cut in half for two people – which, as an added bonus, will be much easier to eat than a triangle slice.

Step 3

Rest assured there is a method to the madness. Once you have taken the slice out, you can simply push both halves back together and secure with a rubber band. This keeps it intact, ensuring it won’t dry out the next day!

Step 4

Want to enjoy another piece of cake? Repeat step two, but cut in the opposite direction. It should still taste moist and satisfy your sweet cravings

Step 5

Once again, join the halves back together and place them in the fridge for day three. Not only will you be able to keep the cake fresher for longer; you’ll also be able to enjoy more slices in the long run, as you won’t be demolishing it by removing huge chunks.

Will you try this trick? Do you have another method to cutting cake “correctly”?