Graduation Cake, the ultimate sweet reward for years of hard work and dedication! This isn’t just any cake; it’s a symbol of achievement, a delicious testament to late nights studying and early morning classes. So, let’s bake a Graduation Cake that’s as special as the Graduate.
Table of Contents
My inspiration for this Graduation Cake comes from my own graduation celebration. My family surprised me with a beautifully decorated cake that tasted even better than it looked. I want to share that joy with you and help you create a memorable Graduation Celebration with this recipe.
Why You Will Love This Graduation Cake Recipe
This Graduation Cake recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. It’s comforting because it’s made with love, relatively speedy to prepare (leaving you more time to celebrate!), and bursting with flavor that will wow your guests.
What makes this recipe truly special is its adaptability. You can customize the flavors, decorations, and even the size of the cake to perfectly suit the graduate’s preferences. Think of it as a blank canvas, ready to be transformed into a masterpiece.
Ingredients Needed for This Graduation Cake Recipe
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional, for decorating)
For Decoration:
- Graduation themed sprinkles
- Miniature graduation caps (available at craft stores)
- Edible glitter (optional)
How to Make This Graduation Cake Recipe
- 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Alternatively, consult Pink Graduation Cake 2 for tips on baking with specialty pans.
- 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- 3. Add the softened butter and milk to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined.
- 4. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- 5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- 6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- 7. Bake for 30 35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- 9. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- 10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- 11. Add the milk and vanilla extract to the frosting mixture and beat until smooth and creamy. If desired, add food coloring to achieve your desired shade. Refer to Silly Graduation Cake P 2 for inspiration on playful color combinations.
- 12. Once the cakes are completely cool, level the tops if necessary. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
- 13. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the first cake layer.
- 14. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosting.
- 15. Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- 16. Decorate the cake with graduation themed sprinkles, miniature graduation caps, and edible glitter.
How to Serve This Graduation Cake Recipe
This Graduation Cake is best served at room temperature and should be the centerpiece of your Graduation Celebration dessert table. Consider pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a side of fresh berries for a complete dessert experience. For a sophisticated touch, serve alongside a chilled glass of sparkling cider. To present it beautifully, garnish each slice with a sprig of fresh mint.
How to Store This Graduation Cake Recipe
Store leftover Graduation Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices of cake; wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Frozen cake slices can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a couple of hours.
Tips to Make This Graduation Cake Recipe
For a richer flavor, try using brown butter in the cake batter. Simply melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Let it cool slightly before adding it to the other ingredients. If you are short on time, Pink Graduation Cake can be a simpler alternative!
To ensure your cake layers are even, use a kitchen scale to weigh the batter before dividing it between the pans. This will help you achieve a perfectly balanced cake.
Avoid overmixing the batter, as this can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
Helpful Notes for This Graduation Cake Recipe
The type of flour you use can affect the texture of your cake. All purpose flour is the most common choice, but you could also use cake flour for an even lighter and more tender crumb.
If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can use salted butter, but be sure to reduce the amount of salt you add to the recipe.
Feel free to get creative with the frosting flavors. You can add extracts, zest, or even melted chocolate to customize the frosting to your liking.
Variation of This Graduation Cake Recipe
For a chocolate version, add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. You can also add chocolate chips to the batter for extra richness.
For a lemon version, add the zest of one lemon to the cake batter and replace the vanilla extract in the frosting with lemon extract.
You could also try a caramel drizzle over the top of the cake.
Follow us on Pinterest for more delicious recipes and decorating ideas.
What makes a good Graduation Cake?
A good Graduation Cake is both visually appealing and delicious. It should reflect the graduate’s personality and achievements, and of course, taste amazing! Consider using school colors or incorporating elements related to their field of study.
How far in advance should I bake a Graduation Cake?
For best results, bake your Graduation Cake 1-2 days before the celebration. This allows time for frosting and decorating without rushing. You can also freeze the cake layers ahead of time to save time closer to the event.
What are some popular Graduation Cake flavors?
Popular Graduation Cake flavors include vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, and lemon. Consider the graduate’s preferences when choosing a flavor. You can also offer a variety of flavors in tiered cakes.
Can I make a Graduation Cake without baking?
Yes, you can create icebox cakes using cookies, whipped cream and frosting to assemble a no-bake Graduation Cake. Just layer the ingredients and let it chill!
Conclusion
This Graduation Cake is a delightful way to celebrate a significant milestone. It’s a labor of love that will surely impress the graduate and all your guests. It’s a simple yet elegant centerpiece for any Graduation Celebration. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let’s create a beautiful and delicious Graduation Cake to honor the special graduate in your life.
Graduation Cake: The BEST Recipes for Your Celebration
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Celebrate graduation with this delicious and customizable graduation cake recipe. A perfect way to honor the graduate!
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional, for decorating)
- For Decoration:
- Graduation themed sprinkles
- Miniature graduation caps (available at craft stores)
- Edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- 3. Add the softened butter and milk to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined.
- 4. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- 5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- 6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- 7. Bake for 30 35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- 9. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- 10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- 11. Add the milk and vanilla extract to the frosting mixture and beat until smooth and creamy. If desired, add food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
- 12. Once the cakes are completely cool, level the tops if necessary. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
- 13. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the first cake layer.
- 14. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosting.
- 15. Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- 16. Decorate the cake with graduation themed sprinkles, miniature graduation caps, and edible glitter.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
