How Much Cake Per Person? A Practical Guide
Ordering a cake and not sure how big it should be? The question how much cake per person depends on one thing: how are you serving it? A thin coffee slice is very different from a generous dessert portion. Get this right and you won't have too much cake sitting in the fridge — or worse, not enough for your guests.
Coffee Portions vs Dessert Portions
Coffee portions are slim slices, about 2.5 cm wide at the widest point. These are what you serve at a birthday party alongside coffee or tea. Most people eat one slice and move on. For coffee portions, a 22 cm round cake feeds about 15-20 people.
Dessert portions are bigger — about 4 cm wide. These are what you'd serve after dinner as the main sweet course. With dessert portions, that same 22 cm cake feeds about 10-12 people.
The difference matters. If you're serving cake as dessert at a dinner party, you need a bigger cake than if you're handing out slices at a casual afternoon party.
Quick Size Guide
| Cake Diameter | Coffee Portions | Dessert Portions |
|---|---|---|
| 10 cm (bento) | 2-4 | 1-2 |
| 14 cm | 6-8 | 4-5 |
| 18 cm | 10-14 | 6-8 |
| 22 cm | 15-20 | 10-12 |
| 26 cm | 22-28 | 14-16 |
Not sure which size fits your party? Use our cake calculator to figure out the right size based on your guest count and serving style.
Factors That Change How Much You Need
Other desserts on the table. If you're also serving cupcakes, cookies, or fruit, go one size smaller. People will eat less cake when there are other sweets available.
Time of day. Evening events = bigger appetites. Afternoon tea = smaller slices are fine.
Kids vs adults. Children eat about half a portion. A party with 10 kids needs the same amount of cake as 5-6 adults.
When in doubt, order one size up. Leftover cake keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Running out of cake at a party doesn't. Ready to order? Start here — we deliver across Zuid-Holland from Vlaardingen and Rotterdam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people does a 22 cm cake feed?
How much cake should I order for 30 guests?
Do kids eat as much cake as adults?
Is it better to order too much or too little cake?
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