Simple Graduation Sheet Cake (Printable Version)

Moist vanilla sheet with creamy buttercream and festive Class of 2026 piping for special occasions.

# What You Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1¾ cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, at room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature

→ Buttercream Frosting

09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ¼ cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Food coloring for school colors

→ Decoration

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

# How-to Steps:

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. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened 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 until fully combined.
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 with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat for 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Divide and tint portions with food coloring as desired.
09 - Spread an even layer of buttercream over the cooled cake using a spatula.
10 - Use colored buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to pipe Class of 2026 design on top. Add sprinkles or additional edible decorations as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a forgiving vanilla cake that stays moist for days, so you can bake it ahead without worrying.
  • The buttercream pipes like a dream, making you look like you've done this a thousand times even if you haven't.
  • One sheet pan means minimal cleanup when you should be celebrating, not scrubbing dishes.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients truly matter here—cold eggs and milk won't incorporate properly, leaving you with a lumpy batter that bakes into a dense cake.
  • Don't open the oven door before 30 minutes have passed; the temperature drop can cause the cake to sink in the middle, which I learned the hard way.
03 -
  • Invest in an oven thermometer; most home ovens run hotter or cooler than they claim, and knowing the truth prevents sunken cakes and burnt edges.
  • Bring all your ingredients to room temperature before you start; it sounds fussy, but it's the difference between a silky batter and a grainy one that refuses to come together.
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