Kitchen Cakes Vs Sheet Cakes: Why Sheet Cakes Aren't the Wedding Budget Win You Think They Are
- Shannon Turner
- Sep 28
- 4 min read
When couples start planning their wedding cakes, one of the first questions I hear is: "Can we save money by ordering sheet cakes for the kitchen instead of extra tiers on our main cake?"
Let me share a hard truth with you: sheet cakes and kitchen cakes are not even remotely the same thing. And the choice you make will directly affect your guests' experience (and the impression your wedding cake leaves on them).
What's a Sheet Cake?
Sheet cakes are single-layer cakes, usually baked
by a third party.
Single layer, no filling
Often a different recipe or baker than your main cake (usually cheaper)
Rarely matches in taste, texture, or appearance when served to your guests
Yes, they're cheaper - and they scream "budget wedding". Guests notice when they're served something that feels like an afterthought.
What's a Kitchen Cake?
Kitchen cakes, on the other hand, are made by your cake designer - the one who creates your main cake - with the exact same quality as your main cake.
Same number of layers, same fillings, same flavors
Looks just as beautiful plated as a slice of your display cake
Seamless experience for your guests (and they're not looking at the plate of the guest next to them wondering why there is such a difference in appearance and apparent quality)
Compare the two side-by-side.
Do you see the differences? Your guests definitely will, too. This inconsistency screams "budget wedding" and likely isn't representative of the experience you want to give your guests for dessert.
When your guests sit down to enjoy your wedding cake, this is what you want their plated slices to look like:
Major takeaway: When it comes to kitchen cakes vs sheet cakes, if you're going to add servings to your main cake, be sure you're adding kitchen cakes and not sheet cakes. Kitchen cake slices should be identical to your main cake.
But let's look at this option a bit further to see if adding kitchen cakes makes sense for you.
Do Kitchen Cakes Save Money?
Here's the truth you're not hearing: rarely are kitchen cakes are cost-saving option.
Why? Because they require:
The same ingredients and baking time
The same labor to create multiple layers, fillings, and finishes
Additional cake boards, boxes, and delivery considerations
While kitchen cakes don't always cut your costs, they do extend your guest servings without compromising on guest experience. Sometimes it's worth it to add them versus increasing the size of your main cake.
When Are Kitchen Cakes Worth It?
Kitchen cakes shine in a few key scenarios:
Very large guest counts (150+) - More servings without an overly tall display cake.
Faux cakes - If your main cake is partly (or fully) faux, kitchen cakes provide the real servings you need.
Labor-Intensive designs - Think hundreds of handmade sugar flowers. You pay for the artistry. And the larger the cake, the more of these labor-intensive little details will be required to execute the design across the canvas of your cake.
The takeaway: Consider kitchen cakes if you have a guest count over 150 or a faux cake as well as a labor-intensive design. Your cake artist can let you know if it makes sense in your case.
Pro Tip: Most of the cost of a wedding cake is in the labor, not the ingredients.
3 Things You Need to Know
About Kitchen Cakes
Kitchen cakes are always better than sheet cakes for quality and presentation. This is critical for your guest experience.
They're not always a cost-saving shortcut.
They're best suited for larger weddings and complex designs where the display cake is 100% edible.
Questions to Ask Your Cake Designer
Assuming your cake designer has helped you determine that adding kitchen cakes to your main cake makes the most sense for you, here are key questions to ensure you're getting the quality you expect from your wedding cake and giving your guests the best possible experience:
Are these kitchen cakes or sheet cakes? This direct question immediately clarifies what you're being offered and sold.
Will the additional servings have the same number of layers, fillings, and flavors as my main cake? Kitchen cakes should be identical when plated and served; sheet cakes won't be.
Who will be making the additional servings? Your cake designer should be creating everything, not outsourcing to a third party.
Don't be afraid to ask these questions. Any reputable cake designer will appreciate your attention to detail and be happy to explain their process. If someone seems evasive, dismissive of your questions, or pushes sheet cakes as a "budget-friendly option", that's your cue to look elsewhere.
Your Wedding Cake Is the Last Taste Impression
Long after the toasts are made and the dance floor winds down, your guests will remember that last perfect bite of your wedding cake. Make sure it's one that truly represents your taste and the rest of your wedding day details.
Still have questions about wedding cake servings and design? Let's chat about what works best for your guest count and style - feel free to leave a comment here or reach out directly here 👉Reach Out
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