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Perfect High School Graduation Sheet Cake Recipe Easy Cap and Diploma Design Tutorial

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A moist and tender vanilla sheet cake decorated with a fun and easy-to-pipe cap and diploma design, perfect for high school graduation celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Black gel food coloring (for cap)
  • White gel food coloring (for diploma)
  • Gold or silver edible glitter or gel (optional, for diploma accents)
  • Piping bags and round and star tips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch sheet pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients in three parts alternating with milk in two parts, starting and ending with flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top with spatula. Tap pan gently to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  8. Let cake cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For frosting, beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well between additions.
  10. Add vanilla, salt, and cream; beat until smooth and fluffy. Add more cream if frosting is too thick.
  11. Divide frosting into three parts: color one large portion black, one small portion white, and leave some plain.
  12. Spread a thin crumb coat of plain frosting over cake. Refrigerate 20 minutes, then apply a final smooth layer.
  13. Pipe the cap near one corner with black frosting using a square shape, add a cap button with round tip, and tassel with star tip.
  14. Pipe a rolled scroll diploma shape with white frosting and add gold edible gel details if desired.
  15. Add extra details like graduate’s name or year with contrasting frosting colors.
  16. Chill cake for another 15 minutes to set decorations before serving.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning frosting. Chill cake between frosting layers for sharp edges. Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating cake. Room temperature ingredients ensure better texture. Variations include dairy-free, gluten-free, chocolate, and alternative decorations.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cake, sheet cake, vanilla cake, buttercream frosting, cap and diploma cake, easy cake decoration, party cake

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