How to cut your Birthday Cakes

Think you know how to cut your birthday cakes? Think again:

• The method involves cutting parallel lines rather than wedges
  
• This allows the cake to be sealed with icing around it, keeping it fresh
  
• Francis Galton first described the innovative method in Nature in 1906

Forget everything you know about how to cut your Birthday Cake this new method could turn the seemingly straight-forward practice on its head.

Although, using the word ‘new’ isn’t accurate, because the method is actually a 100-year-old trick unearthed by London-based author and mathematician Alex Bellos.

In his latest YouTube video, Bellos describes how taking wedges out of a cake leaves them susceptible to drying – and we should instead be cutting them in lines so the whole cake can be sealed and stored.

Here’s our recommendations on how to cut and store your next birthday cake:

• It is very important to use a long, sharp scalloped edged knife dipped in hot water.
• Cut a 2cm slab of cake from one end of the cake to the other using a sawing motion – Keep this slab for resealing your cake when finished.

• Dip the knife in hot water again and cut the desired number of slabs that will let you feed the guests at your birthday party!

• If the cake is round, cut the first 2cm piece approximately 1/3 from the side and proceed as previous instruction.
• Lay the slab on its side and cut into portions.

• To keep your cake fresh, press the left-over slab together with the remaining cake to retain moisture and flavour & wrap with cellophane if needed.
• Choose your slice – If you’re the birthday boy or birthday girl then we suggest you choose the biggest slice – After all, it’s your party and you can cry if you want to!