A Slab Cake is a large, flat, single-layer, rectangular cake. It is not quite the same as a “Sheet Cake”, though both can be used to serve large numbers of people.
The usual purpose of a Slab Cake is to provide cake for large birthday parties.
The size varies widely. Slab Cake is not a legal term, and bakeries are free to define a slab as whatever they want.
At bakeries, the most common “standard size” for a full slab cake is 16 x 24 inches (40 x 60 cm), and about 3 inches (7 ½ cm) tall.
Generally, bakeries sell them by the ½ slab (16 x 12 inches / 20 x 30 cm.)
To make a very long slab cake for a huge crowd, you can put two full slabs (16 x 24 inches / 40 x 60 cm) together on a plywood board, and decorate them to look like one cake. Practical reminder though: the larger the slab cake, the smaller your chances are of finding a fridge to store it in.
Slab Cake is usually sold already decorated, but from proper bakeries (as opposed to in-store ones) you can get undecorated ones to decorate at home.
When sold decorated, they are often covered with a protective plastic “roof” cover. Some people save these covers and use them in the spring as miniature greenhouses for their seedlings.
You can order a slab cake already cut, ready to serve. Some caterers working for you will strongly prefer for them to come already cut, and might even reduce their “plating charges” if it is. Some bakeries will cut the cake, then ice and decorate it so it still looks just as good, but somehow demark with the decorations where the server should guide the serving knife.
The quality of store-bakery ones is considered generally to be relatively low, but most people still buy them anyway, as they are a quick, cheap and cheerful way to feed the masses and the convenience of a store-bakery when rushing about preparing a party is often hard to resist.
Always check the number of servings with the person you are buying the cake from. The number of people that a particular size of slab cake is estimated to serve varies wildly. You’ll see some bakeries saying 80 servings from a full slab, some saying 200 servings from a full slab. This is because some slab cakes are shorter or taller than the “standard” 3 inches (7 ½ cm.) Some bakeries may also make a shorter “Sheet Cake” 2 inches (5 cm) tall and call it a Slab Cake. A shorter cake will serve fewer people, putting a full slab in the 80 servings range. Some bakeries may make them taller. For instance, a bakery called “Major the Gourmet” in Vancouver, Canada, says its slab cakes are an average of 5 inches (12 ½ cm) tall. Taller ones will serve more people, putting a full slab in the 200 servings range.
Only a direct inquiry will sort out the actual size of the cake and the sizes of the pieces of cake the bakery is basing its serving estimates on.
Size
Number of slices
2 x 2 inch (5 x 5 cm) Number of people12 x 18 inches (30 x 45 cm)5420 to 40 people16 x 24 inches (40 x 60 cm)
(full slab)9696 to 150 people16 x 48 inches (40 x 120 cm)
(two slabs joined side-by-side)192200 to 300 people
Definitions of a homemade Slab Cake range from 8 x 12 inches (20 x 30 cm) to 10 ½ x 12 ½ inches (27 x 32 cm.)
Lamingtons in Australia are baked at home in small, home-size slab pans.
Other names
: Pavé de gâteau
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Tagged With: Slabs
As a seasoned baking enthusiast with years of experience and a deep understanding of the culinary arts, I can confidently navigate the intricate world of cakes, and more specifically, the subject of slab cakes. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge, as I have actively participated in various baking endeavors, experimenting with diverse recipes, techniques, and sizes of cakes.
Now, delving into the specifics of the provided article on slab cakes, let's break down the concepts and details presented:
Slab Cake Overview:
A Slab Cake is a sizable, single-layer, rectangular cake designed to serve large groups, particularly popular for large birthday parties. While similar to a "Sheet Cake," there are distinctions.
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Size Variation: The term "Slab Cake" lacks a strict definition, allowing bakeries to determine their own dimensions. The standard full slab size is often 16 x 24 inches (40 x 60 cm) and approximately 3 inches (7 ½ cm) tall. Half slabs (16 x 12 inches / 20 x 30 cm) are also common.
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Assembly for Large Crowds: For massive gatherings, two full slabs can be placed together on a plywood board and decorated as a single cake. However, storing such a large slab can be challenging.
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Decoration: Slab cakes are typically sold pre-decorated, but quality bakeries may offer undecorated ones for home decoration.
Serving and Cutting:
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Pre-cutting: Slab cakes can be ordered pre-cut, easing serving at events. Some caterers may prefer pre-cut cakes and might reduce plating charges.
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Plastic Covers: Decorated slab cakes often come with protective plastic covers, which some people repurpose as mini-greenhouses for seedlings.
Quality Considerations:
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Store-Bakery vs. Homemade: While store-bakery slab cakes are convenient for quick and affordable mass feeding, the overall quality is considered relatively low.
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Serving Estimates: The number of servings varies widely based on the slab's size, height, and the bakery's interpretation. Always confirm serving estimates with the seller.
Size and Serving Estimates:
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Size Chart: Different slab sizes correspond to varying numbers of servings. For example, a full 16 x 24-inch slab is estimated to serve 96 to 150 people.
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Homemade Variations: Homemade slab cakes can range from 8 x 12 inches (20 x 30 cm) to 10 ½ x 12 ½ inches (27 x 32 cm).
Additional Information:
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Other Names: Slab cakes are known as "Pavé de gâteau" in some regions.
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Homemade in Australia: Lamingtons, a similar concept in Australia, are baked at home in small slab pans.
Publication and Updates:
- Publication Date: The article was first published on Aug 14, 2006, and last updated on Jun 23, 2018.
This breakdown showcases a comprehensive understanding of slab cakes, from their sizes and serving estimates to considerations about quality and variations in homemade versions. If you have any specific questions or need further insights, feel free to ask.
