Graduation Cake Recipe

As you start your graduation journey, a delicious dessert is a must. Imagine a cake that celebrates this big moment. It should also taste amazing and look incredible. We’ll show you how to make a graduation cake that will wow everyone.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how to make a graduation cap-themed cake that’s both visually stunning and delicious
• Discover popular graduation cake flavors and design ideas that will impress your guests
• Follow a step-by-step tutorial to assemble and decorate your graduation cake with ease
• Explore creative ways to customize your graduation cake with personalized touches
• Ensure your graduation cake is a showstopper that celebrates your academic achievement in style

What is a Graduation Cake?

A graduation cake is a special dessert for celebrating a student’s big achievement. It’s for high school, college, or any other level of education. These graduation cakes often have symbols like caps, diplomas, and school colors.

Defining a Graduation Cake

Graduation celebration cakes celebrate a student’s big educational milestone. They come in many flavors, from chocolate and vanilla to lemon or red velvet. The designs can be simple or very detailed, depending on the graduate’s taste.

Popular Flavors and Designs

Graduation cakes are a top pick for graduation party desserts. They can be made with the graduate’s school colors or mascot. This makes the commencement cake special and meaningful. The festive cake design and cake decorating ideas can be classic or modern, fitting the graduation theme perfectly.

Graduation Cake Recipe

Celebrate the graduate’s big day with a delicious graduation cake recipe. This recipe is perfect for making a special cake that fits the graduate’s style and school colors.

The recipe guides you through baking moist cake layers, making creamy frosting and fillings, and putting it all together. It takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to make a stunning celebration cake.

This recipe makes 24 servings, with each slice having about 782 calories. It uses 9 eggs, 12 ounces of cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups of butter, and 9 cups of powdered sugar. This makes the cake rich and indulgent.

Baking the Cake Layers

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease three 8-inch round cake pans and two 6-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 34-37 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Preparing the Frosting and Fillings

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
• For the filling, you can opt for a sweet buttercream, a tangy cream cheese frosting, or a fruity jam or compote.

Assembling and Decorating

Once the cake layers and frosting are ready, it’s time to assemble the festive cake design. Start by leveling the cakes with a cake leveler, then place the first layer on a 10-inch cardboard cake circle. Spread a layer of frosting or filling, then add the next layer, repeating the process until all the layers are stacked.

Use the remaining frosting to crumb-coat the cake, smoothing it with a large offset spatula. Chill the cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting, then apply the final layer of frosting, creating swirls or a smooth finish as desired.

Finish the cake with your choice of graduation-themed decorations, such as cap and diploma toppers, school colors, or a personalized message. Get creative and make this commencement cake recipe truly unique!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making a graduation cake is a fun baking journey. Follow these steps to make a moist, tasty, and stunning cake.

Baking the Cake Layers

First, heat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease and flour your pans to avoid sticking. You’ll need 3/4 cup (170 grams) of unsalted butter and 1 3/4 cups (350 grams) of sugar. Mix these until light and fluffy.

Add 2 1/2 teaspoons (12 grams) of baking powder and dry ingredients. Use 300 grams of flour. Mix in 1 1/4 cups (296 milliliters) of milk until smooth.

Split the batter into your pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean. Let the cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then on a wire rack until cool. Chilling them in the fridge for 30 minutes helps with frosting.

Preparing the Frosting and Fillings

While cakes cool, make your frosting and fillings. Choose a buttercream or fondant that’s smooth and creamy. A rotating cake pedestal makes frosting and decorating easier.

Assembling and Decorating

When cakes are cool, start assembling. Place one cake on your platter or stand. Spread frosting or filling on top, then add the next layer. Keep stacking and filling until done.

Apply a crumb coat of frosting to the whole cake. Use an offset spatula or cake scraper to smooth it.

Now, get creative with decorations. You can pipe buttercream, add edible graduation caps, or use school colors and mascot designs. Let your imagination run wild!

Decorating Ideas for Graduation Cakes

Graduation is a big deal, and your cake should be special too. You can add cap and diploma toppers, use school colors, and even include mascot designs. These ideas make your cake a true celebration of the graduate’s hard work.

Cap and Diploma Toppers

The mortarboard cap is a key symbol of graduation. Adding it to your cake design is a great way to show the spirit of the day. You can make realistic cap toppers with fondant or gum paste, adding details like tassels and the graduation year.

Pair the caps with fondant diplomas for a classic look. This cake will surely impress your guests.

School Colors and Mascot Designs

Show your graduate’s school pride by using their colors and mascot in the cake. Use food coloring to tint the frosting or fondant. You can also make edible logos or mascot figures for the cake’s top.

This adds a personal touch and celebrates the graduate’s achievements in their school community.

Whether you choose classic cap and diploma toppers or bold school designs, creativity is key. With a bit of imagination and detail, you can make a cake that truly captures the essence of graduation.

Fondant Graduation Cake Decorations

Working with fondant can elevate your graduation cake to new heights. Fondant is a pliable sugar-based icing. It lets you craft detailed elements like cap and diploma toppers. Plus, it gives your cake a smooth, professional finish.

To begin, you’ll need the right tools and ingredients. Invest in high-quality fondant, like FunCakes Gum Paste White, in a 500 gr package. Use FunCakes Icing Color – Black and RD Metallic Food Paint – Gold for the classic graduation colors.

With these basics, you can start making your fondant decorations. Set aside two days to prepare the mortarboard and tassel toppers. Spend one day on smaller details like mini tassels, dots, and letters. This way, you’ll have enough time to create a stunning graduation cake.

To get a flawless fondant finish, practice kneading, rolling, and draping. Remember to add special touches like cap and diploma toppers. This will make your graduation cake truly memorable.

Buttercream Frosting Techniques

Buttercream frosting is a favorite for graduation cakes. It’s smooth and creamy, and great for decorating. To get professional results, you need to learn a few key techniques. This guide will show you how to make your graduation cake look amazing with buttercream.

Achieving Smooth Coverage

The base layer of buttercream is crucial for a beautiful cake. Soften the butter at room temperature for 30 minutes. It should be cool but still soft to the touch.

Whip the butter in a mixer for 2 minutes until it’s fluffy. Add powdered sugar slowly, a half cup at a time. This prevents a mess. Beat the buttercream for 5 minutes at high speed to get a silky texture.

Decorative Piping Techniques

• Rosettes: Pipe concentric circles of buttercream starting from the center and working outwards to create a beautiful rose-like effect.
• Shell Borders: Use a star-shaped piping tip to pipe overlapping shells along the top or bottom edge of the cake for a decorative finish.
• Swirls and Swoops: With a large open star tip, pipe sweeping motions to create elegant, flowing patterns across the cake surface.

To make your graduation cake even more special, add graduation-themed decor. This could be graduation caps, diplomas, or school colors and mascots. With the right techniques, you can customize your cake in many ways.

“Buttercream frosting has received more than 1,500 rave reviews from the Allrecipes community, making it a beloved choice for cakes of all occasions, including graduation celebrations.”

Remember, the secret to great buttercream frosting is to take your time. Whip and mix the ingredients well. By following these steps, your graduation cake will not only taste great but also look amazing.

Customizing with Graduation Quotes

Planning the perfect graduation cake is exciting. Why not add a personal touch with meaningful quotes or messages? This can turn your cake into a keepsake that celebrates the graduate’s achievements and inspires their future.

Choose from classic phrases like “Congratulations, Graduate!” to heartfelt messages like “You did it!” or “The sky’s the limit.” You can display these quotes in many ways. Fondant lettering, piped buttercream, or edible image transfers can make your graduation cake stand out.

Feel creative? Add quotes from famous authors, motivational speakers, or the graduate’s own words. This adds a unique touch and shows off the graduate’s personality and dreams in a tasty and eye-catching way.

The charm of personalized graduation cakes is in showing the graduate’s unique path and achievements. So, go ahead and make your custom graduation cake design personal. The result will be a dessert that’s as meaningful as it is tasty.

Graduation Cake Recipe

Celebrating a graduation is special and deserves a unique cake. This graduation cake recipe is perfect for your celebration. It’s great for a graduation party or a special festive cake design.

A great graduation cake has moist layers, rich fillings, and creamy frosting. It uses butter, brown sugar, and cocoa powder for a rich chocolate taste. Coffee adds depth, while marshmallow frosting and graham cracker filling add fun textures.

To make your celebration cake special, use your school’s colors or mascot in the decorations. Add polka dots, graduation caps, and diploma details for a unique dessert.

This graduation cake recipe makes a stunning dessert for your graduate’s achievements. It’s perfect for a graduation party or a special commencement cake. It’s sure to delight and impress.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Graduation Party Dessert Table Ideas

After baking and decorating your graduation cake, it’s time to think about presentation. An impressive dessert table is a great way to show off your cake. It also lets you add other tasty treats to the mix.

First, pick the right display stand for your cake. The right stand will make your cake look even better. Make sure the area is clean and bright to highlight your cake. Place the cake so its best side is facing everyone.

• Use a cake stand or tiered platter to elevate the cake and make it the focal point.
• Arrange complementary desserts like cupcakes, cookies, or mini pies around the cake.
• Incorporate graduation-themed decorations, such as mortar board toppers, school colors, or diploma designs.
• Provide cake servers and small plates to make serving the cake easy and convenient for guests.
• Consider offering a selection of beverages, such as lemonade or iced tea, to pair with the desserts.

By setting up a beautiful graduation party dessert table, your graduation cake will be the star. It will add to the fun and celebration of the day.

Dietary Variations and Substitutions

Planning a graduation party means thinking about everyone’s food needs. You might need to handle food allergies, dietary limits, or just personal tastes. Luckily, there are many ways to make sure everyone gets to enjoy a tasty graduation cake.

For guests with gluten issues, making a gluten-free cake is simple. Just swap out the regular flour for almond or oat flour. This makes the cake moist and adds a nice nutty taste.

Guests who can’t have dairy can still have fun. Use plant-based milk and coconut oil or vegan butter for the frosting. You can also use flax or chia “eggs” instead of real eggs.

Want to cut down on sugar? Use maple syrup or a low-carb sugar instead of white sugar. This makes the cake sweet without the guilt.

If someone has a nut allergy, you can easily change the recipe. Just leave out the almonds or use something else like toasted coconut flakes or edible flowers.

With a little creativity, you can make a graduation cake for everyone. This way, your party is truly inclusive. And everyone gets to enjoy a delicious dessert.

Dietary Substitutions

• Gluten-free: Use almond flour or oat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
• Dairy-free: Substitute plant-based milk and coconut oil or vegan butter for the dairy ingredients.
• Egg-free: Use flax or chia “eggs” as replacements.
• Low-sugar: Replace white sugar with maple syrup or a low-carb sweetener.
• Nut-free: Omit the sliced almonds or use a nut-free garnish, such as toasted coconut flakes or edible flowers.

By making the graduation cake fit different diets, you make sure everyone can enjoy it. This way, everyone can celebrate together, savoring the special moment.

Storing and Transporting Graduation Cakes

Keeping your graduation cake fresh and safe is key. Whether you make it early or transport it to the event, a few tips can help. This way, your cake will stay perfect for the celebration.

Storing the Graduation Cake

Store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge if you make it ahead. This keeps it fresh and moist. You can store it for 3-4 days, depending on the recipe and decorations.

Transporting the Graduation Cake

1. Use a strong cake box or container for transport. Cake boxes, costing $2-3 on Amazon, are great for moving your cake safely.
2. For tiered cakes, use dowels or large straws to keep layers stable during transport.
3. Don’t add decorations like candles or toppers until you get to the event. This prevents damage during transport.
4. Be gentle with the cake, keeping it level and avoiding sudden moves to prevent layer shifts.

By following these steps for how to store graduation cake and how to transport graduation cake, your cake will arrive in top shape. It will be ready to impress everyone at the celebration.

Conclusion

This easy graduation cake recipe is perfect for any graduation party. It’s easy to make and can be customized to fit your theme. You can impress your graduate and their guests with a stunning cake.

The recipe is flexible, allowing you to add your own twist. You can choose from classic designs or go for something more unique. This cake will be the highlight of your party.

Creating a graduation cake is a fun process. It’s a chance to make something special for your graduate. Enjoy every step of making this memorable dessert.

Graduation Cake Recipe

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• Author: Esme Baker
• Prep Time: 1 hours
• Additional Time: 0 hours
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 1 graduation cake 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• Cake Layers:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 3 cups sifted cake flour
• 1 1/3 cups yogurt (Vanana preferred) with 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups hot coffee
• Frosting and Filling:
• Buttercream frosting (homemade or store-bought)
• Blue and yellow fondant for decorations
• Marshmallow frosting (optional for additional filling)

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Instructions

1.Prepare the Cake Layers:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch round cake pans.

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
• In another bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, baking soda, and cake flour.
• Alternate adding dry ingredients and yogurt mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Gradually pour in hot coffee, stirring until smooth.
• Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Assemble the Cake:

Place the first cake layer on a cake stand. Spread a layer of frosting, then place the next layer on top. Repeat for all layers.

• Apply a crumb coat of frosting and chill for 30 minutes. Then apply a final layer, smoothing with a spatula.

3. Decorate:

• Use blue and yellow fondant to create graduation caps, diplomas, and other decorations as desired.
• Arrange the decorations on the cake for a festive graduation-themed presentation. Enjoy your cake at the celebration!

Notes

Prepare the Cake Layers:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch round cake pans.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
• In another bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, baking soda, and cake flour.
• Alternate adding dry ingredients and yogurt mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Gradually pour in hot coffee, stirring until smooth.
• Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 212
• Sugar: 27
• Sodium: 247
• Fat: 3
• Saturated Fat: 1
• Unsaturated Fat: 2
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 43
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 3
• Cholesterol: 35