It may be a silly question about a birthday cake

@youless (112091)
Guangzhou, China
May 24, 2009 9:34am CST
I am going to order a birthday cake in my son's birthday and share it with his friends in the kindergarten. But I have no idea how large this birthday cake should be for about 20 children. As I don't want to waste and I also want every child can share it. So how large is suitable for this cake? How many pounds or inches?
10 people like this
24 responses
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
24 May 09
since you are ordering the cake you bakery should be able to tell you how big each serving is and the size of the cake you need. They can also mark the cake for cutting for you.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 May 09
I asked the staff in the bakery, but I don't think she was good at this. As she told me that 4 pounds would be enough but I doubt whether it's too big. When I asked her the size for the 4 pounds cake, she had no idea about it.
3 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
24 May 09
My granddaughter works at a baker in a grocery store and she says that a quarter 2 layer sheet cake will serve 20 easily. A full size sheet cake will serve 80 people.
2 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
24 May 09
I do apologize. I see that you are in China. They may size things differently over there than they do here in the United States. Here the bakeries size cake like your asking about as a sheet cake. Some people that work in bakeries really have no idea of what they need to know and some don't want to learn. She could have gone to some one that might have known.
2 people like this
@marketing07 (6266)
• South Korea
24 May 09
hi youless,when my son celebrated his birthday on the kindergarten i bought a large cake (i dont know the size)..i just give it to the teacher and they sliced into pieces and see to it that everykids can have their share..
3 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 May 09
I hope your computer problem solved now
2 people like this
@pingi68 (304)
• Italy
25 May 09
in Italy we generally used to ask to the cake shop. they know how much cake you may need. and anyway it is better to take more, you can alway eat it!!
2 people like this
@pingi68 (304)
• Italy
26 May 09
we have also lots of delicious cakes!! you have to try them one day!
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
When you talk about Italy, it reminds me of the delicious pizzas
1 person likes this
@haiershen (1080)
• China
27 May 09
hi,youless,it isn't a silly question, thank you share you problem,when i have a dear son/daughter, i also will meet those question like that,it is a better experience for everyone whom will became a mom.doing something for our own son is very happy and annoy.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
27 May 09
I totally agree with you. We shall learn from each other
1 person likes this
• Singapore
24 May 09
actually, you can ask the teachers about that , my daughter ever celebrate her birthday in school when she was kindergarden , the teacher suggest to buy a 2 kilogram cakes , she told me that that is more than enough for the class children and the teachers there ,(almost 20 children in a class) but most of the teachers don't eat too much of the cakes because they eat quite offen and scare to eat them . ( many children celebrate and they almost eat cakes every weeks)
3 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 May 09
Perhaps it's similar with a 2 pounds cake.
2 people like this
• United States
24 May 09
I have found that most places will make the cake into cupcake form. It seems a little easier to do. Plus then a knife does not have to be taken to the class room. Plus you will have a few leftover and you can have them at home with your child. Have a greta day!
3 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 May 09
This is a good idea and I will think about that. But it seems that my son still likes the normal birthday cake.
2 people like this
• United States
25 May 09
Children in Kindergarten won't be getting large slices of cake. They'll get a very small piece, enough for them to enjoy the icing off of it since that's all they seem to eat and be satisfied. I think cupcakes would be a better option really because they're preportioned and are about kid sized. Some of the kids probably wouldn't even eat the whole cupcake because it's too much.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
Thanks for your suggestion
1 person likes this
@frygirl (382)
• United States
26 May 09
i dont have any kids but with that amount of children considering what age they are i would say the largest sheet cake you can find they may waste some of it but i dont think so and that way you will have enough to go around and if there are going to be any other parents there you will have some for them and of course the teacher because if she /or he said no not in my classroom then where would you be so its just common sense to include them in your plans it would be rude of you not have enough cake to go around and no its not a silly question because you have never done this before iam just saying what i would do if it was me.wil you have chocolate or white i would say with children that age chocolate would be a good choice but you might want to find out if any of the kids cant have chocolate.and by the way tell your son happy birthday from me. and i hope he and you have alot of fun at his party.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
Thanks a lot for your greeting
1 person likes this
@tonytt2009 (1706)
• China
26 May 09
Hey youless,first of all,happy birthday to your son!! I just booked two cakes for my famliy recently in Tianhe~It's ideal to have an one pound's cake for 4-5 adults,and/or 6 kids,therefore,make a 4-5 pounds birthday cake will be better.Don't forget that the game between kids,they like to "share" the cake with other's nose,face or even cloths all the time~lol~~ Beside,prepare some small cake in case~~lol~~
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
You are right. I am going to book a four pound of cake.
2 people like this
@ljbinkop (744)
• United States
25 May 09
For that many people I would go for a half of a sheet cake. It is easy to transport to the school, and the teachers and other staff at the school can get in on the cake eating, too! Hope you have a nice party! Have a great day!
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@xannebull (1793)
• Philippines
25 May 09
children would eat only a small amount of cake, and most of them, they just lick the icing and never eat the cake only the icing, so just give them a small piece of cake, and with 20 children, 1 big cake is just enough for them, just make sure it has lots of icing instead.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
• India
25 May 09
Lolz just go the bakery shop and ask the baker I think this is what I would have done. You can see cake sizes in the shop and cut them imaginatively in your mind into 20 pieces. That's it. the one that fits is what you want.heeehhe
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
I seldom will see very large cake
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
well from personal experiances, i ve learned that little kids especially in kindergared ususally dont eat the whole cake but the frosting instead. so if your going to buy a cake i wouldnt buy a very large one but a smaller one
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
Thanks for your advice.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 May 09
i think the best thing you should do is just buy about 20 cupcakes bc that will be enough..and smarter. also they arent that expensive
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
This is a good idea.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
27 May 09
Does it really have to be a cake? What about cupcakes they are the perfect size and less messy then a cake. Especially for kindergartens. My mom is going to be buying cupcakes to take for my sister at school she is in second grade and her birthday is June first. They make some nice cupcakes and that way it would be easier to get a chocolate selection and a white cupcake selection for those that can't have chocolate.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
28 May 09
Sorry, I didn't read the other responses before responding.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
27 May 09
It seems that many people suggested the cupcakes
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
24 May 09
Most bakeries will show you the size you need. My guess on this is 40-6- square inches.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
Thanks for your advice.
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@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
26 May 09
youless, First of all, anything that is 1.5kg onwards should be quite sufficient for 20 children. As for the shape, I would recommend that you look at whatever is available in the cake shop, not forgetting to let your "princely" son have a say before deciding. So the choice here will actually depict the shape and size, I am sure that if you inform the cake shop, they would be able to provide you with more information. Don't forget his favorite flavor, which I bet is chocolate and pardon me if I am wrong. For dividing the cake, I am sure that the teacher in his class would be able to divide the cakes for the class without any problems. I hope that he will receive many presents and memories for this celebration. If possible seek permission to have a few photos taken, for memory keep sake. Anyway, advance best wishes to your son's birthday and may all his dreams come true. Take care and have a great day ahead.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 May 09
I am glad that yesterday I found a good bakery nearby my home. So it's convenient for me to order a cake there
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• Singapore
26 May 09
P.S. Please note that you need to place your order at least a day in advance, so do make a trip to the cake shop ASAP.
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@lilybug (21107)
• United States
24 May 09
Here in the US they got by sheets. 1/4 sheet, 1/2 sheet and full sheet. A half sheet is about 11x9. Since the kids are still in kindergarten I would think a cake that size would be enough. You don't want them to have too much cake. A full sheet would be too much unless you want them to all have a big piece.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 May 09
I have no idea of the term "sheet" here. I shall try to look up the dictionary. As it's new for me to learn that it can be a measurement term.
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@Roseo8 (2947)
• India
29 May 09
Hello Youless first tell me when is your son's birthday,and please convey my advance greetings to him......Regarding the size of the cake.....Well it really depends on how generous a piece you want to distribute to his friends....And since they are all kintergarden kids I am sure they will not be bothered about their calories,and would definitely opt for the dictum:The bigger the better.........So I hope now you know how big the cake should be......Its size cannot be measured in pounds or inches,but only by the generosity you have towards these kids/ or rather their stomach...........
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
30 May 09
My son's birthday is on June 15th. Perhaps it's a little bit early that I posted this discussion?
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@Roseo8 (2947)
• India
1 Jun 09
Hi Youless June 15 is not very far away,and I think your posting of this discussion was done in the right time..For you will get enough time to receive comments from your dear friends and plan your cake accordingly.......Any way I hope you plan a wonderful birthday party for him........though I wonder if I will be able to make it to the party in time.......
1 person likes this
@abcnadz (457)
• India
29 May 09
hello youless. i guess a 2 kg cake will be more than enough. i usually order for a 1 kg cake for anybody's birthday at our home and from that we can cut out atleast 9 or 10 slices. so i assume that a 2 kg cake will be enough. or the best thing to do is ... when you go to buy the cake or call them up to order just ask them what is the apt size of a cake to cut out 20 pieces ? they would defenitely help you.
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@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
30 May 09
Thanks a lot for your wish
@abcnadz (457)
• India
29 May 09
convey my birthday wishes to your son
1 person likes this