Class 2026 Vanilla Graduation Cake (Printable)

Fluffy vanilla sheet with creamy buttercream and festive decorations, perfect for celebrating milestones.

# What You Need:

→ Cake

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
09 - 1½ cups whole milk, room temperature

→ Vanilla Buttercream

10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - ¼ cup whole milk, room temperature
14 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

15 - Graduation-themed sprinkles or edible decorations
16 - Gel food coloring, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 12x18-inch half-sheet baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed. Pour in half the milk and mix gently. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and milk, mixing just until combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cake cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
09 - Beat butter until creamy, approximately 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla extract, milk, and salt. Beat on high for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
10 - Spread buttercream evenly over cooled cake. Decorate with graduation-themed sprinkles or edible decorations.
11 - Slice and serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feeds a crowd without requiring you to be an expert baker or spend all day in the kitchen.
  • The vanilla buttercream is silky and forgiving, so even if your mixing isn't perfect, it still tastes incredible.
  • You can customize it with school colors or add a personal touch that makes the celebration feel uniquely theirs.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable—butter, eggs, and milk blend together smoothly, while cold ingredients create lumps and uneven texture.
  • Don't frost a warm cake; it will cause the buttercream to melt and slide off the sides like it's been left in the sun.
03 -
  • Use an offset spatula for frosting—it gives you more control and makes spreading buttercream look effortless instead of streaky.
  • If your buttercream is too stiff to spread, add milk one teaspoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency; if it's too soft, chill it for fifteen minutes and beat it again.
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