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For as long as I can remember, baking cakes has been a hobby of mine. My interest has inspired me to experiment with a variety of inventive cake making techniques throughout the years. One day, I decided to put my baking talents to the test by making a square cake instead of a round one. I’ve been fascinated with all things square cake-related, and I’d want to share my obsession with you! This is what I discovered!

By putting the cake mixture into a square cake pan, you may make a square cake. Remove the cake from the pan and use a serrated knife to cut off all four sides. Spread cold frosting evenly on the edges and between each layer of cake. Remove extra frosting in the form of a square using a bench scraper.

I rapidly discovered that there are several elements that might affect the cake’s result. If you wish to create a square cake for your visitors at home or even as a wedding cake, you must be aware of the crucial factors associated with dealing with square cakes. I cover all you need to know about square cakes in this post!

The following is the table of contents:

  • How to Bake a Square Cake
  • How to Make a Square Cake Without a Cake Pan
    • How to tell if you have the right size square pan
  • How to Make a 2 Layer Square Cake
  • How to Cut a Square Cake Out of a Pan
  • How do you Ice a Square Cake with Buttercream
    • How to make crisp buttercream frosting corners
  • How to Cover a Square Cake with Fondant
  • How do you Square the Edges of a Cake
  • FAQs:
    • How to Make a Round Cake into a Square Cake?
    • How to Convert Round Cake Pan Measurements for a Square Cake Pan?
    • How to Make a Square Cake into a Round Cake?
    • Do Square Cakes Take Longer to Bake?
    • How Do You Get a Square Cake to Rise Evenly?

While the concept was brilliant, the job was not easy! Making a precisely squared buttercream cake or a fondant-covered dessert is more difficult than I anticipated.

What Is The Best Way To Make A Square Cake?

To make a square cake, bake many batches of cakes in square pans and stack them on top of each other until the cake is uniformly square on all sides. Put frosting between each cake layer to keep the cake sturdy, and then frost the rest of the cake.

There are many methods for making square cakes. These methods change depending on whether or not you have the necessary instruments to complete this arduous undertaking.

I usually bake square cakes in square cake pans, but round cake pans and sheet pans may also help me make the perfect square cake. The decorating options are also vary; sometimes I want a basic buttercream frosting, while other times I want a complete fondant ornamentation.

Using a square pan for the cake mix is the simplest technique to make a square cake. To make a square cake, you may alternatively use a sheet pan or a regular circular cake pan.

Up to 12 inch 3-layer cakes may be stored in this container. This container was ideal for transporting my enormous cakes. This Cake Storage Jar is available on Amazon! * By the way, I’ve always wanted to be able to properly preserve my cakes, but I’ve never found a nice container that could accommodate my enormous cakes. I did, however, come across an Extra Large Cake Carrier lately.

Here’s a terrific video that goes out all of the processes involved in making a flawless square cake:

Whether you use a sheet pan or a circular cake pan, you will need to cut the cake to get the desired size. For further information, see the next point.

When I’m in a hurry, I prefer to make square cakes on a square pan. Employing this process cuts down on the time it takes me to cut the cakes to the right size.

Nevertheless, when I’ve had numerous layers or simply didn’t have the correct size square cake pan, I’ve been able to produce flawless square cakes by using both sheet pans and round cake pans.

What Is the Best Way to Make a Square Cake Without a Square Pan?

A square may be made without a square pan by using a regular circular cake pan or a sheet pan. The sheet pan will provide either one extremely big cake or a stacked square cake, whilst circular pans are excellent for smaller cakes.

Then, if you baked your cake on a sheet pan, you’ll need to cut it into various square shapes using a serrated knife after it’s finished baking. This is because sheet pan cakes are typically thin and must be layered.

In my experience, a square cake requires at least three square cake pieces stacked on top of each other.

Second Option: The same idea applies if you used a standard circular cake pan. With a serrated knife, cut the circular sides of the round cake in straight lines to produce a square cake.

Bear in mind that the square cake will be less in size than the round cake since the circular borders have been removed.

*By the way, attempting to bake a square cake without any square pans is a pain. I just discovered a fantastic Set of 2 Quality Non-Stick 8-Inch Square Panson Amazon. These 2 inch deep pans are ideal for baking a Square Cake!

How to Determine If You Have the Correct Size Square Pan

Whether using a square or round cake pan, the cake batter should come halfway up the sides. If there is too much batter in the pan, the cake may overflow, resulting in a lopsided final cake. Your cake will be flat if there is insufficient batter.

*Side Note: You may also be interested in whether it is possible to bake a square pie. I just published an essay on How To Make A Square Pie, which you can read here!

How Do You Build a Two-Layer Square Cake?

As a general rule, a stacked square cake may be made by spreading buttercream icing between each layer of cake, including the bottom layer. After that, insert a wooden skewer through the center of the cakes to keep the structure from toppling over.

Since preparing a square cake requires different proportions than baking a round cake, make enough cake batter for two 9-inch round cake pans or two 8-inch square cake pans. Since the depth is the same, the baking time should be comparable to that of one cake.

These instructions will help you bake a square layer cake in a sheet pan:

  • Add parchment paper to pan
  • Grease the parchment paper
  • Pour batter into pan
  • Smooth batter out until it is even
  • Make sure that the corners have enough batter
  • Bake cake until done, using the toothpick method
  • Allow cake to cool completely
  • Lift out of the pan using the parchment paper
  • Cut the cakes in half
  • Trim the cake’s edges using a serrated knife
  • Apply frosting on the bottom of the first layer
  • Apply frosting in between each layer of cake
  • Put a wooden skewer down the middle of all cake layers

As soon as the cake slices have cooled, apply buttercream icing to each one. When you stack the cakes, the buttercream icing will preserve their square form.

My sheet pan cakes are usually quite flat and even. But, if you need to trim the cakes to make them a perfect square, use an extremely sharp knife.

*You may also be interested in learning How To Make A Cake Without A Cake Pan. I just published an article titled How To Make A Cake Without A Cake Pan. This article may be found here!

How Do You Cut A Square Cake From A Pan?

Place a cold damp cloth below the pan and wait 20 minutes for the cake to cool before removing it from the pan. Separate the sides of the cake from the pan with a rubber spatula in a steady up and down motion, then invert the cake upside down onto a cooling rack.

Before baking a square cake, oil the pan, line it with parchment paper, grease the parchment paper again, and then add the batter. Once the cake has finished baking, you should be able to lift it out of the pan by tugging on the parchment paper.

Frost the cake once it has been placed on the counter or on the cake stand. Before cutting the cake, add any decorations.

Step-by-step instructions for removing a square cake from its pan:

  • Make sure that the cake is not undercooked
  • Put a cold wet towel underneath the cake pan once it’s out of the oven
  • Let it cool for up to 20 minutes
  • Use a rubber spatula to separate the edges of the pan from the cake
  • Flip the square cake upside down onto a plate
  • *Grease and line your pan before starting to bake your cake

Cut your cake into squares as follows:

When you’re ready to cut the cake, draw a horizontal line 2 to 3 inches from the edge. Draw a second horizontal line 2 to 3 inches from the margin of the first. Repeat this process all the way down the cake.

When you’ve finished the horizontal lines, choose a side and make perpendicular cuts of equal length from one another. Cut the perpendicular lines so that each cake piece is 22 inches, 32 inches, or 33 inches long.

*By the way, if you want to know how to remove stuck parchment off of your cake and how to avoid it, I just published an article on Removing Stuck Parchment Paper, which you can see here!

How Do You Buttercream-Ice a Square Cake?

What is the best way to frost a square cake?

To ice a square cake with buttercream frosting, liberally apply cold frosting to all sides of the cake using a cake spatula. After that, use a bench scraper to remove any extra icing in a straight line from either side. Freeze the frosting again to make it firm enough to cut into squares.

Before you begin icing your cake, ensure sure you have taken it from the pan and set it on a rotating cake stand or serving plate.

You’ll need the correct kind of bench scraper to get a completely smooth finish. I scrape the icing extremely evenly and perpendicular to the cake stand using a Bench Scraper with a Rounded Handle. This ensures that all sides of the cake are equally flat.

I also prefer to use a good curved and handled icing spatula. I discovered a really sturdy icing spatula that I use every time I ice my cakes. Both the Bench Scraper and the Icing Spatula are available on Amazon!

You should also level the top of your square cake. After baking, your cake will have a poofy top that will give your square a rounded edge.

Just cut it away with a serrated knife until the top of your cake is a flat square, or add more icing to each corner.

Cover the top of the cake with a thick layer of buttercream. Next, generously spread buttercream on each side of the cake. Smooth out the icing on the top and sides using a bench scraper.

Place the cake in the refrigerator to cool at this point. Remove the cake from the refrigerator after at least one hour and use a bench scraper to remove any excess buttercream.

Making Crisp Buttercream Frosting Corners

  • Put the frosted square cake in the freezer
  • Chill the frosted cake for 5-10 minutes
  • Place a parchment paper on your turn table
  • Spread a layer of frosting on the paper
  • Place the square cake upside-down on the frosting
  • Firmly press the cake down onto the frosting
  • Use an icing spatula to scoop the frosting up
  • Use a bench scraper to level each side evenly
  • Put the cake back into freezer for 10 minutes
  • Flip the cake back to the correct side
  • Remove the parchment paper
  • Use frosting to fill any imperfections at the top

*As an aside, I just published a post on How To Properly Store Leftover Buttercream Frosting. This article discusses how to properly store and freeze buttercream frosting to ensure that it lasts. This article may be found here!

How to Make a Fondant Square Cake

By spreading a large sheet of fondant on top of a frosted cake, you may cover a square cake with fondant. Using a fondant smoother, smooth out the fondant on all sides of the cake. If you fold the fondant over the corners too much, it will break. With a knife, trim away any extra fondant.

To begin, level the cake to ensure it is flat on top. Next frost your cake as usual, using the icing of your choosing. After the cake has been smoothed and frosted, it is time to add the fondant.

Piping gel should be applied to the bottom of each side. This gel will aid in the adhesion of your fondant on the cake.

Knead the fondant, using vegetable shortening to avoid it from adhering to your hands. Continue the kneading procedure until the fondant is elastic and the fondant can be rolled with a rolling pin.

The thickness is 16 inches. With a rolling pin, fold the fondant out until it is 1 inch thick.

Roll the fondant onto the rolling pin, then up one side of the cake. Gently unroll the fondant onto the cake’s top. Smooth the fondant on top of the cake first, then concentrate on the sides; push the fondant into each corner of the cake without pulling it.

To effortlessly smooth the fondant, use a Standard Fondant Smoother. I discovered one on Amazon that you may be interested in!

When you’ve finished with the corners, use your hands to push down and smooth the fondant on each edge of the cake. To make this procedure easier, you may buy a fondant smoother.

With a sharp knife, cut away any extra fondant. Continue reading to learn how to square a cake properly.

How Do You Square a Cake’s Edges?

Trim each side of the cake with a serrated knife. If making a layer cake, stack the cakes as usual, but trim them with a serrated knife. Using the knife, you should be able to move up and down the cake without any extra corners hanging over a layer.

The most critical step of achieving a square edge on a cake is trimming it. When the cake has been trimmed, the frosting and fondant may be applied.

While applying the fondant, correctly pressing the fondant into the corners will result in square edges.

If you want to acquire sharp corners on a circular cake with fondant, press the fondant into the cake and shape the fondant onto the top of the cake to give it a sharp edge or border with fondant.

*As a side note, I just published an article on How to Freeze Leftover Fondant Icing. This article discusses how to properly freeze and thaw fondant icing to ensure that it lasts. This article may be found here!

FAQs:

Turning a Round Cake into a Square Cake

First, take the cake out of the pan. Apply frosting and stack the layers if it is a layer cake. Then follow the steps below:

  • Two inches from the edge, cut a horizontal line with a knife
  • Cut another horizontal line two inches from the next side, perpendicular with the line you just cut
  • Repeat this process until you have a square shape

*Keep in mind that after the circular corners are removed, the cake will be smaller.

Converting a Round Cake Pan Square Cake Pan Measurements

When using a square cake pan instead of a round cake pan, the dimensions should be increased by 1 inch or 2 cm. The following are examples of common conversions:

  • For an 9×2 inch round cake pan, use an 8×2 inch square cake pan
  • For a 10×2 inch round cake pan, use a 9×2 inch square cake pan
  • For a 10×3 inch Bundt cake pan, use either a 9×2 inch square cake pan or a 10×2 inch square pan

*The cake pan dimensions vary for each cake size.

How Do You Make a Square Cake Round?

To turn a square cake into a round cake, cut off each corner of the square cake equally using a serrated knife. Begin by cutting each corner from the centre of one side to the middle of the next. This ensures that all four corners are clipped off uniformly.

Do square cakes need more time to bake?

Square cakes take longer to bake in general because square pans unevenly distribute heat across the cake. Since the center of a square cake rises quicker than the corners, you must leave the square cake in the oven for an extra 5-10 minutes to allow the corners to finish baking.

How Do You Make a Square Cake Rise Evenly?

To make a square cake rise evenly, pour the cake mixture into the square pan and smash it down on the counter a few times. This will assist to uniformly spread the cake batter to each corner of the pan, allowing it to bake evenly. It will also aid in the evacuation of trapped air bubbles inside the batter.

In conclusion

Square cakes are an excellent choice for practically any event. My family has used them for birthday parties, weddings, summer festivities, and even regular weekend family gatherings.

Although we often use round cake pans to make handmade cakes, I sometimes want something a little different. A square cake will suffice on such occasions. After reading about my experiences, I’m certain you’ll be able to make a fast and simple square cake for any event!