Pink Graduation Cake: The BEST Celebration Cake Recipe EVER

Pink Graduation Cake dreams are made of sugar, spice, and everything celebratory! What better way to mark a huge milestone than with a beautiful, delicious cake? This Pink Graduation Cake recipe is perfect for adding a touch of elegance and sweetness to any graduation party. This cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a symbol of accomplishment, hard work, and the sweet taste of success. 

Hello, fellow bakers! I’m Ava Morgan, and I’m thrilled to share this special recipe with you. Let’s make some memories and celebrate in style with this delightful Pink Graduation Cake.

Why You Will Love This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

This Pink Graduation Cake recipe is all about delivering maximum impact with minimum fuss. It’s moist, flavorful, and visually stunning, making it the star of any graduation celebration. What’s not to love?

What makes this recipe so special? First, it’s incredibly easy to customize the decorations to match your grad’s school colors or personality. Second, the recipe is designed to be straightforward, even for novice bakers. This ensures consistent results and a stress-free baking experience. This cake, much like our Black Forest Poke Cake, is showstopper. And finally, it’s just plain delicious! I remember baking a similar cake for my cousin’s graduation. Everyone raved about it, and it made the day even more special!

Ingredients Needed for This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

Here’s everything you’ll need to create your very own masterpiece:

For the Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring (gel or liquid)

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring (gel or liquid, optional, for a richer pink color)

For Decoration:

• Sprinkles (graduation themed, if desired)
• Edible glitter (optional)
• Graduation themed cake toppers (mortarboard, diploma, etc.)
• Fresh berries (optional, for garnish)

How to Make This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

Ready to get baking? Follow these simple steps to create your own Pink Graduation Cake.

1. 1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper circles to prevent sticking.

1. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

1. 3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer, beat until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

1. 4. Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

1. 5. Add Color: Add pink food coloring to the batter, a little at a time, until you reach your desired shade of pink. Remember, the color will deepen slightly as it bakes.

1. 6. Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

1. 7. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

1. 8. Prepare Frosting: While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.

1. 9. Add Sugar and Milk: Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk, until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and pink food coloring (if using) and mix well.

1. 10. Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, level the tops with a serrated knife if necessary. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the top.

1. 11. Add Second Layer: Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting, creating a smooth and even surface.

1. 12. Decorate: Decorate the cake with sprinkles, edible glitter, and graduation themed cake toppers. You can also arrange fresh berries around the base of the cake for an elegant touch. If you’re looking for a simpler, less pink alternative, check out our Cake Cups Recipe.

1. 13. Chill (Optional): For easier slicing, chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

How to Serve This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

Serving this Pink Graduation Cake is all about presentation. Slice the cake with a sharp, serrated knife for clean, even slices so it looks more Celebration Cakes like. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. I also love pairing it with fresh berries or a light fruit salad to balance out the sweetness. For a festive touch, offer guests a selection of different toppings so they can customize their slices.

How to Store This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

To keep your Pink Graduation Cake fresh, store it properly. Refrigerate any leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze the cake layers or the entire frosted cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing. Thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Reheating isn’t necessary, as cake is best served cold or at room temperature.

Tips to Make This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

Here are some tips to ensure your Pink Graduation Cake comes out perfectly every time.

• Ingredient Swaps: If you don’t have all-purpose flour, you can use cake flour for an even softer texture. Substitute applesauce for up to half of the butter to reduce the fat content.
• Success Tips: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for the frosting. This will ensure a smooth, creamy consistency. Don’t overmix the cake batter, as this can lead to a tough cake.
• Common Mistakes to Avoid: Avoid opening the oven door frequently while the cake is baking, as this can cause the temperature to fluctuate and the cake to sink.
• Pro Tips for Best Results: Use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients for the most accurate results. This is especially important for baking, where precise measurements can make a big difference.

Helpful Notes for This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

Here are some extra clarifications, ingredient details, and equipment recommendations. When it comes to pink food coloring, gel food coloring typically yields a more vibrant color than liquid food coloring. I highly recommend using parchment paper circles to line the bottom of your cake pans; the cakes release easily. If you don’t want to do a cake, you can try making a batch of our Cake Cups Recipe 2! As for equipment, an electric mixer makes frosting a breeze, and a good quality serrated knife is essential for slicing.

Variation of This Pink Graduation Cake Recipe

Want to mix things up? Here are a few variations.

• Seasonal Twists: For a summery twist, add lemon zest to the cake batter and use a lemon cream cheese frosting. In the fall, incorporate pumpkin spice into the cake and top with a caramel drizzle.
• Optional Versions: Try making a chocolate version of this cake by adding cocoa powder to the batter. You can also add chopped nuts or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
• Creative Modifications: Get creative with the decorations! Use different colors of frosting, add edible flowers, or create a custom cake topper with the graduate’s name and year.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy baking and decorating this festive Pink Graduation Cake. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate a special milestone and create lasting memories. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. So, grab your apron, preheat that oven, and whip up a Pink Graduation Cake that will be the star of the celebration. Let me know in the comments how your cake turns out!

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Pink Graduation Cake: The BEST Celebration Cake Recipe EVER

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

A moist and delicious pink cake perfect for graduation celebrations, decorated with frosting and graduation themed decorations.

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Ingredients

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• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring (gel or liquid)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring (gel or liquid, optional, for a richer pink color)
• Sprinkles (graduation themed, if desired)
• Edible glitter (optional)
• Graduation themed cake toppers (mortarboard, diploma, etc.)
• Fresh berries (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer, beat until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Add pink food coloring to the batter, a little at a time, until you reach your desired shade of pink.
6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
9. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk, until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and pink food coloring (if using) and mix well.
10. Once the cakes are completely cool, level the tops with a serrated knife if necessary. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the top.
11. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting, creating a smooth and even surface.
12. Decorate the cake with sprinkles, edible glitter, and graduation themed cake toppers. You can also arrange fresh berries around the base of the cake for an elegant touch.
13. For easier slicing, chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 50g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 60mg