Simple Graduation Sheet Cake (Printable)

A festive vanilla sheet cake with creamy buttercream and vibrant piped decoration for celebrations.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cake

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

→ Buttercream Frosting

09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 1/4 cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Food coloring

→ Decoration

15 - Additional food coloring for piping
16 - Sprinkles or edible decorations

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch sheet pan and line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
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 - Gradually add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
07 - Cool cake completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat for 3 to 5 minutes until fluffy. Tint portions with food coloring as desired.
09 - Spread an even layer of buttercream over the cooled cake.
10 - Use colored buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to pipe Class of 2026 on top. Add sprinkles or other decorations as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cake stays moist for days, which means you can bake it ahead without the panic of it drying out before the party.
  • Buttercream piping Class of 2026 looks professional and personal without requiring cake decorating school.
  • You can tint the frosting in school colors, turning a simple cake into something that feels custom-made.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable; cold eggs and milk will cause the batter to break and create an oddly textured cake that bakes unevenly.
  • Don't skip sifting the powdered sugar for frosting—lumpy frosting looks grainy and won't pipe smoothly, no matter how hard you beat it.
03 -
  • Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is actually 350°F—off-temperature ovens bake unevenly and create dry edges or underdone centers.
  • Room temperature ingredients are the secret to smooth batter; pull eggs and milk from the fridge thirty minutes before you start, and your cake will thank you with a tender, even crumb.
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