You're standing in the bakery aisle or staring at a custom order form, and the panic sets in. Twenty-five people. It's that awkward middle ground. It’s too many for a standard grocery store round, but it feels slightly small for those massive, multi-tiered wedding-style behemoths. If you get it wrong, you’re either that person who ran out of dessert by the tenth guest, or you’re eating stale buttercream for the next six days.
Honestly, figuring out what size cake for 25 people isn't just about math. It’s about how you cut the thing.
Most people don't realize that "servings" is a fluid concept. A "party slice" is roughly the size of a deck of cards—about 1.5 inches by 2 inches. But if you’re at a wedding, you’re looking at "wedding slices," which are usually a measly 1 inch by 1 inch. For a casual birthday or a graduation bash with 25 hungry humans, you want the party slice. You want substance.
The Quarter Sheet vs. The Round Debate
Let's talk logistics. If you want the most bang for your buck, the quarter sheet cake is the undisputed king of the 25-person event.
Standard quarter sheets usually measure about 9x13 inches. If you do the geometry, that’s 117 square inches of cake. Cutting that into 2-inch squares gives you exactly 24 servings. If you’re slightly more conservative with the knife and cut them 1.5x2 inches, you’re looking at 30 to 35 servings. It's the safe bet. It fits in most residential refrigerators without a struggle. It’s easy to transport. It’s basic, sure, but it works.
But maybe you want something that looks a bit more "Instagrammable" than a flat rectangle.
Round cakes are the aesthetic choice, but they’re trickier. A 10-inch round cake is the sweet spot for 25 people. According to the Wilton Method—the gold standard used by professional bakers like those at Wilton Cakes—a 10-inch round yields about 28 party-sized slices. If you go with a 9-inch round, you’re cutting it close. You’ll get about 22 slices if you’re generous, which means three people are going home sad. Don’t do that to your friends.
The Secret of the Double-Layer Height
Height changes everything.
A single-layer 10-inch cake looks thin and a bit sad on a large table. However, a double-layer 10-inch cake (meaning two cakes stacked with frosting in between) is usually 4 to 5 inches tall. This is a game changer for your serving count.
Because the cake is so tall, you can actually cut thinner slices—what we call "finger slices"—and people will still feel like they got a massive portion. You can easily stretch a double-layer 10-inch round to feed 30 people. You just cut it into a grid instead of traditional wedges.
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Actually, stop cutting wedges.
Wedges are for small families. For 25 people, you should be cutting "event style." This involves cutting a circle about two inches in from the edge of the cake, slicing that outer ring into pieces, and then slicing the middle circle that's left over. It sounds complicated. It’s not. It just ensures everyone gets a piece that isn't a massive 4-inch-long triangle that falls apart on the plate.
What About Tiered Cakes?
If this is a more formal affair—think a small wedding, a big anniversary, or a fancy "welcome home" party—you might be looking at two tiers.
A popular combination for a 25-30 person crowd is a 6-inch cake stacked on an 8-inch cake.
- An 8-inch round (double layer) gives you about 20-24 servings.
- A 6-inch round (double layer) gives you about 10-12 servings.
Totaling that up, you’ve got roughly 30 to 36 servings. This gives you a "buffer." If Aunt Linda decides she wants two pieces, or if a couple of neighbors show up unannounced, you aren't sweating. Plus, tiered cakes just feel more celebratory. They have gravity.
Context Matters: Who are these 25 people?
Are they 25 toddlers at a 3-year-old's birthday? Or are they 25 offensive linemen at a post-game dinner?
If you’re hosting a kids' party, you can get away with a smaller cake. Kids usually take two bites and then go back to running in circles. For 25 kids, a 9-inch round is probably plenty. But if you’re hosting a dinner party for adults where the cake is the main event, go bigger.
Also, consider the "other desserts" factor.
If you have a dessert table with cookies, brownies, and a fruit tart, people will take smaller slivers of cake. In that scenario, a 9-inch round is perfectly fine for 25 people. But if the cake is the only thing on the menu? Stick to the 10-inch round or the quarter sheet.
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The Custom Bakery Reality Check
When you call a boutique bakery and ask what size cake for 25 people, they will almost always suggest their "medium" or "large" options. Be careful. Bakers often quote serving sizes based on wedding portions (1x1 inch).
Always ask: "How big are those slices?"
If they tell you their 8-inch cake feeds 25, they are talking about tiny, sliver-like portions. If you want a "real" dessert experience, you need to push for the 10-inch or a tiered 6/8 combo.
Keep in mind that specialty flavors—like a dense carrot cake or a rich flourless chocolate cake—fill people up faster than a light, airy chiffon or sponge cake. You can serve smaller pieces of a heavy, decadent cake and people will be satisfied. If it’s a light strawberry shortcake, they’ll want a slab.
Practical Logistics of Serving 25 People
Don't forget the physical space.
A 10-inch cake on a 12-inch cake board takes up a decent amount of real estate. If you’re at a crowded restaurant with a small table, that quarter sheet cake is going to be a nightmare. In that case, go vertical. A tall, 8-inch cake with four layers of sponge (instead of two) can feed 25 people easily and has a much smaller footprint on the table.
Also, think about the cutting equipment.
If you’re doing a sheet cake, a standard spatula is fine. If you’re doing a tall, 10-inch round, you need a long, thin knife. Professional bakers like Stella Parks often recommend dipping the knife in hot water between cuts to get those clean, "professional" looking slices that don't crumble.
Pricing Out Your Decision
Prices fluctuate wildly by region, but here is a general ballpark for 2026:
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- Quarter Sheet (Grocery Store): $25 - $45. Best value, lowest "cool" factor.
- 10-inch Round (Local Bakery): $50 - $90. Good balance of style and cost.
- Two-Tier (6"/8" Custom): $120 - $250+. The "wow" factor choice.
If you’re on a budget, buy two 8-inch cakes from a local grocery store. It’s often cheaper than ordering one custom 10-inch cake, and you can offer two different flavors. One chocolate, one vanilla. It solves the "what if they don't like lemon?" problem instantly.
The Cupcake Alternative
Sometimes, the best cake for 25 people isn't a cake at all.
Cupcakes take the guesswork out of the equation. You buy 30 cupcakes (always get a few extra), and you’re done. No knives, no plates, no messy crumbs. However, you lose the "cutting the cake" ceremony. If it’s a wedding or a big 50th birthday, you probably want the real thing. For a casual office send-off, cupcakes win every time.
Summary of Sizes for 25 Guests
If you need a quick reference while you’re standing in the bakery line, here it is:
For a generous party portion (about 1.5" x 2" or 2" x 2"):
- Quarter Sheet Cake (9x13): Perfect fit. Yields 24-30 slices.
- 10-inch Round Cake: The ideal round size. Yields 25-28 slices.
- Two-Tiered (6" and 8"): The "safe" premium choice. Yields 30+ slices.
- 9-inch Round Cake: Only if you have other desserts. Yields about 20-22 slices.
For a small wedding portion (1" x 1"):
- 8-inch Round Cake: Technically feeds 24, but the slices are tiny.
- 9-inch Round Cake: Feeds about 30.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you place that order, take these three steps to ensure you don't end up with a cake disaster:
- Measure your fridge. A quarter sheet cake box is bigger than you think. Make sure you have a shelf cleared before you bring it home.
- Count your "No" votes. Ask if anyone has a gluten or dairy allergy. If two people can't eat the cake, your "25 people" just became 23, and you might be able to scale down.
- Buy a sturdy cake server. Don't try to cut a 10-inch double-layer cake with a plastic butter knife. It will end in a collapsed pile of frosting.
- Confirm the height. When ordering from a bakery, specifically ask if the cake is a "single layer" or "double layer." This one question determines if you’re feeding 12 people or 25.
Choosing the right size is mostly about managing expectations. If you want a centerpiece, go for the 10-inch round. If you want to feed the crowd efficiently and cheaply, the quarter sheet is your best friend. Just remember to cut it correctly, and no one will leave the party wishing for more.