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    Home » Recipes » Bars Brownies & Slices

    How To Cut Perfect Slices | Tips, Tricks & Recipes

    Published: Sep 27, 2019 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 74 Comments

    Images of slices cut into pieces.

    A step by step guide for how to cut perfect slices when baking... including tips and tricks for cutting chocolate-topped slices, caramel slice, vanilla slice and more!

    A collage of different slices cut into small pieces.

    Here at Bake Play Smile, we are ALL about delicious slices and bars! Whether it's a quick and easy no-bake slice or a classic baked slice, we want to make sure that the end result not only tastes incredible but also looks AMAZING too! 

    So follow our simple tips and tricks and you'll have perfectly neat slices every single time!

     

    5 Basic Tips For Cutting Slices

    1. Line The Baking Tin With Baking Paper

    When making slices, ensure that you always use a baking tin that has been lightly greased and then lined with baking paper. Greasing the tin will help the baking paper to stay put in the tin. 

    2. Leave Your Slice Overnight Before Cutting

    This isn't always possible, but if you can leave your slice overnight before cutting it, you'll find that its SO much easier to cut into neat little pieces. Always leave your slice for at least a few hours (minimum) before cutting to avoid breaking and crumbling. 

    3. Choose The Right Knife

    Firstly, make sure your knives are sharp! It's impossible to cut a slice neatly with a blunt knife... so sharpen those babies up!!!

    The type of knife you use will be determined by the type of slice you're cutting. I have two main knives I like to use:

    • Small serrated knife: I cut about 80% of the slices I make with a teeny tiny Victorinox serrated knife. It's my 'go-to knife'. It's tiny and yet powerful! The serrated edge means that it cuts through chocolate topped slices easily without any cracking.
    • Large flat edged knife: This knife works well on slices where you want a very sharp edge (like fudge). The slice needs to be quite firm and without a hard chocolate topping. Something like a lemon coconut slice or ANZAC slice works well with this kind of knife.

    4. Cut The Slice Into Long Strips & Then Smaller Pieces

    Start by placing your slice into a flat chopping board. Cut the slice into long strips. Then cut each strip into small pieces. This method gives you much more control when cutting each little piece.

    5. Wipe Your Knife Clean

    In between cuts, wipe your knife on a clean, damp cloth. This will keep your pieces free of extra crumbles or mixture. 

     

    How To Cut Chocolate-Topped Slices

    Slices that have a layer of melted chocolate over the top can pose all kinds of problems when cutting into pieces. Often the chocolate will crack or you'll end up with jagged edges.

     

    Top Tips For Cutting Chocolate-Topped Slices:

    • Add a small amount coconut oil or vegetable oil to the melted chocolate before pouring over the slice. This helps to stop the chocolate from cracking when sliced. 
    • Allow the slice to set in the fridge (preferably overnight before cutting). 
    • Remove the slice from the fridge and place onto a chopping board 30 minutes before cutting. This will allow the chocolate to soften slightly which prevents it from cracking. 
    • Use a knife to gently 'score' through the chocolate layer first. This involves gently cutting lines in the chocolate until you've cut through the entire chocolate layer. 
    • Then use a large flat knife and press down through the rest of the slice. 
    • If you attempt to cut through both the chocolate layer and the slice underneath in one go, the chocolate will crack and break. Cutting through the chocolate layer first solves this problem. 

     

    How To Cut Caramel Slice/Millionaires Shortbread

    Follow the tips above when cutting caramel slice. It's most important to score through the chocolate layer with a small sharp knife completely before pressing down firmly through the caramel and base (using a large, flat knife). If you try and cut all 3 layers at once, the chocolate will break and the caramel will squish out the sides. 

     

    Chocolate- Topped Slice Recipes

    Chocolate Caramel Slice Recipe
    The ultimate Chocolate Caramel Slice with three totally delicious layers... a crunchy base, a smooth caramel filling and a chocolate topping. Tried, tested and loved by everyone (and now with both conventional and Thermomix methods!). 
    5 from 127 votes
    The ultimate Chocolate Caramel Slice with three totally delicious layers... a crunchy base, a smooth caramel filling and a yummy chocolate topping. Tried, tested and loved by everyone (and now with both conventional and Thermomix methods!). 
    New & Improved No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Slice Recipe
    Our famous No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Slice is now even better! A super easy sweet slice that only takes a few minutes to make!
    5 from 48 votes
    Our famous No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Slice is now even better! A super easy sweet slice that only takes a few minutes to made!
    Clinkers Slice Recipe
    No-bake and so simple... this Clinkers Slice recipe really is the best thing ever! A super easy 10 minute recipe that everyone will love!
    5 from 36 votes
    A bowl filled with chocolate Clinkers slice.
    Caramello Slice Recipe
    The yummiest, easiest, no-bake Caramello Slice made with Cadbury Caramello chocolate.... it's to-die-for!!!! This is the best chocolate caramel slice ever!
    5 from 75 votes
    A no-bake caramel slice made with crushed biscuits, condensed milk and caramel chocolate.
    A classic favourite with a twist... this White Chocolate Caramel Slice is a yummy new take on a good old-fashioned caramel slice!
    5 from 7 votes
    A stack of golden caramel filled squares with white chocolate topping
    Turkish Delight Slice Recipe
    This Turkish Delight Slice is the BEST no-bake slice ever! A basic biscuit base made with Turkish Delight chocolate and scattered with extra chunks of Turkish delight... topped with a white chocolate layer.
    5 from 46 votes
    Pieces of Turkish Delight slice on a board.
    Chocolate Hedgehog Slice Recipe
    A quick and easy classic chocolate hedgehog slice made with crushed biscuits, walnuts, coconut, condensed milk and melted chocolate... the perfect melt and mix slice!
    5 from 170 votes
    A quick and easy classic dark chocolate hedgehog slice made with crushed biscuits, walnuts, coconut and condensed milk... the perfect melt and mix slice!
    Licorice Allsort Slice Recipe
    So bright, so colourful, so delicious! This really is the ultimate Licorice Allsort Slice recipe... and it's completely no-bake!
    5 from 24 votes
    A stack of licorice allsort slice pieces on a floral plate
    Malteser Slice Recipe
    Our famous no-bake Malteser Slice takes only 10 minutes to prepare... and tastes AMAZING! A chocolate rice bubble base topped with sweet and creamy white chocolate and decorated with extra Maltesers. 
    5 from 55 votes
    My no-bake chocolate Malteser Slice takes only 10 minutes to prepare... and tastes AMAZING! This is one of my most popular slice recipes ever!
    Mars Bar Slice Recipe
    Everyone's favourite no-bake Mars Bar Slice recipe couldn't be easier to make... with just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time.
    5 from 73 votes
    Mars Bar Slice

     

    How To Cut Fudge

    When it comes to cutting slices, fudge is one of the easiest! 

    • allow the fudge to set in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours
    • remove the fudge from the fridge and place onto a flat chopping board
    • dip a large sharp flat knife in boiling water, dry it completely and cut one long slice (the heat will help the knife to glide through)
    • repeat heating and drying the knife in between each slice
    • once you have long slices, cut each slice into smaller pieces (still using a hot, dry knife)
    • for perfectly straight lines, place a ruler next to the knife to guide your cuts

     

    Fudge Recipes

    Tim Tam Fudge Recipe
    This 3 ingredient Microwave Tim Tam Fudge recipe is the quickest and easiest dessert you'll ever make! Ready in just 5 minutes!
    5 from 12 votes
    Pieces of chocolate fudge with chunks of Tim Tam biscuits throughout on a white cake stand.
    Microwave Salted Caramel Fudge Recipe
    The easiest 5 ingredient Microwave Salted Caramel Fudge recipe!! Super quick and totally delicious!
    5 from 120 votes
    The easiest 5 ingredient Microwave Salted Caramel Fudge recipe!! Super quick and totally delicious!
    4 Ingredient Microwave Christmas Fudge Recipe
    The easiest 4 ingredient Microwave Christmas Fudge recipe!! Super quick and totally delicious!
    5 from 13 votes
    A super simple 4 ingredient microwave Christmas fudge recipe made from white chocolate, condensed milk, cranberries and pistachios... ready in less than 5 minutes!!
    Microwave Malteser Fudge Recipe
    The easiest Microwave Malteser Fudge recipe made with just 3 ingredients (chocolate, sweetened condensed milk & Maltesers)... and in less than 5 minutes! 
    5 from 5 votes
    The easiest Microwave Malteser Fudge recipe made with just 3 ingredients (chocolate, sweetened condensed milk & Maltesers)... and in less than 5 minutes! 
    Cadbury Creme Egg Fudge Recipe
    A super easy 5 minute microwave Cadbury Creme Egg Fudge made from just 3 ingredients... condensed milk, chocolate and Cadbury Creme Easter Eggs!
    5 from 4 votes
    A super easy 5 minute microwave Cadbury Creme Egg Fudge made from just 3 ingredients... condensed milk, chocolate and Cadbury Creme easter eggs!
    Cookies and Cream Fudge Recipe
    A simple 3 ingredient Microwave Cookies and Cream Fudge recipe made from white chocolate, condensed milk and Oreo biscuits... all in less than 5 minutes!
    5 from 13 votes
    A simple 3 ingredient Microwave Cookies & Cream Fudge recipe made from white chocolate, condensed milk and Oreo biscuits... all in less than 5 minutes!

     

    How To Cut Vanilla Slice

    Everyone's favourite classic slice can be a bit tricky to cut! Do it wrong and you'll end up with vanilla filling squishing out the sides. Do it right, and you'll have perfect neat slices!

    • use a greased and lined baking tin (allowing the baking paper to overhang)
    • refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours before cutting
    • remove the slice from the tin and place onto a flat chopping board
    • first, use a small sharp serrated knife to cut through onto the top pastry layer
    • then use a large flat knife to gently press down through the remaining custard layer and the base
    Vanilla Custard Slice Recipe
    An easy vanilla custard slice recipe made with puff pastry and topped with a classic pink icing! This is just like a bakery-bought vanilla slice!
    5 from 47 votes
    Pieces of homemade vanilla custard slice with pink icing.

     

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

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    Comments

    1. Carla says

      October 04, 2019 at 6:49 am

      Hello, do you have any tips on how to sharpen serrated knives?? Thx

      Reply
    2. Steve says

      April 05, 2019 at 2:22 pm

      How do you cut a vanilla slice so it doesn't ooze custard please? Thanks

      Reply
      • Lucy Mathieson says

        April 09, 2019 at 5:00 am

        Hi Steve, I'd recommend using a small sharp knife to carefully cut through the first layer of pastry - this will stop the vanilla custard from coming out.

        Reply
    3. Soko Baravilala says

      January 21, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      Hello!
      Please tell me how do you take out the slice (with custard, or other filling) from the pan.. I line pan with baking paper with extra on both sides n use it to lift out tjhe slice .. but the slice broke when I was trying to lift it out.. so does that mean the pastry mix is not good?? Thanks for your help n time.

      Reply
      • Lucy Mathieson says

        January 21, 2019 at 7:45 pm

        Hi there, you need to do it slowly and dont lift it too high. Use a flat spatula underneath to support it if that helps. xx

        Reply
        • Joy Power says

          May 26, 2020 at 12:22 am

          When making custard slices, spread one length of pastry with icing, spread the other length with the filling. Then cut the top iced layer into pieces and lay each one along the length of the piece with the filling. Once the custard is set, slide the knife between the top pieces and cut through the filling and bottom layer of pastry. You will achieve professional results very easily.

          Reply
          • Lucy says

            May 26, 2020 at 8:03 am

            That's fantastic! Thanks for the great tips Joy!

            Reply
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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

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