Splitting cakes into layers can be tricky. Professional bakers use rotating cake stands and long serrated knives that make the job a breeze. But this method using toothpicks and dental floss (a tip from a reader a few years ago) makes it easy for nonprofessionals like us.

First, stick toothpicks about halfway up the side of the cake layers, using a ruler to measure the midpoint. Space the picks a couple of inches apart all the way around the cake (you’ll use 10–12 on an 8 or 9" layer).

Next, wrap a long piece of dental floss around the cake, alternating it over and under the picks. Make sure the floss is long enough that you can easily grip the ends once it’s wrapped snugly around the cake.

Now, cross the ends of the floss and pull them away from each other as if you were starting to tie a shoe. The floss will cut into the cake at the points of the toothpicks and finally meet in the center of the cake. The cake will pucker as the floss is pulled around it but will relax once it’s cut through.

Finally, separate the layers, remove the toothpicks, and frost as desired.