Graduation Cake Recipe

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🎓 Celebrate in Style: The Ultimate Graduation Cake Recipe

Graduation day is a major milestone—and what better way to honor the occasion than with a beautiful, delicious graduation cake? Whether you're throwing a backyard party, hosting a school celebration, or just cheering on your favorite grad from the kitchen, this cake is the perfect centerpiece.

Elegant yet easy to customize, this layered cake is moist, rich, and decorated to impress. You can stick with classic flavors or go bold with your grad’s favorite picks—and of course, top it with a graduation cap or school colors for that personal touch.


🎉 Why You'll Love This Cake

  • Celebration-ready: It looks like something from a bakery, but it's simple to make at home.

  • Customizable: Flavor, color, and decoration options to suit any graduate.

  • Make-ahead friendly: Bake and freeze the cake layers ahead of time to reduce stress.

🧁 Ingredients

For the Cake (Vanilla Base – makes 3 8-inch layers):

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2½ tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

  • 1 cup buttermilk

For the Buttercream Frosting:

  • 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened

  • 6 cups powdered sugar

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk

  • Pinch of salt

  • Gel food coloring (optional – for school colors)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Bake the Cake Layers

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round pans.

  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

  • In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

  • Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with flour.

  • Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  • Let cool completely before frosting.

2. Make the Frosting

  • Beat the butter until creamy.

  • Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time.

  • Add vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons cream or milk. Beat until fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.

  • Tint portions with food coloring if using.

3. Assemble & Decorate

  • Level cake layers if needed. Place one layer on a cake stand, add frosting, repeat.

  • Frost the outside and smooth it with a spatula or go rustic with swirls.

  • Decorate with piping, edible glitter, a fondant graduation cap, sprinkles, or a “Congrats Grad” cake topper.

🎨 Graduation Cake Decoration Ideas

  • School Colors: Use colored frosting or edible confetti in the graduate's school colors.

  • Photo Topper: Add a custom edible photo of the grad.

  • Graduation Cap: Top with a mini fondant or chocolate cap.

  • Theme It: Going to med school? Law school? Customize accordingly!

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

  • Cake layers can be baked and frozen up to 1 month in advance (wrap tightly).

  • Frosted cake keeps well in the fridge for 2–3 days. Bring to room temp before serving.

  • Leftovers? Slice and freeze individually for sweet memories later!

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