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Easy Creamy Buttercream Sheet Cake Recipe with Graduation Cap Topper

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A quick and easy buttercream sheet cake perfect for graduations and celebrations, featuring a moist cake and silky smooth buttercream frosting topped with a fondant graduation cap.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (10 g) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warmed slightly
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • About ½ cup black fondant (for graduation cap topper)
  • Edible gold or silver glitter (optional)
  • Toothpick or thin skewer (for tassel)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan with butter or non-stick spray and lightly flour it.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using a mixer, beat ¾ cup softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Lower mixer speed to low. Alternately add ⅓ of the dry flour mixture and half of the warmed milk, continuing until all is incorporated. Mix just until combined.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top, and tap pan gently to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool cake completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  9. For the frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
  10. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar on low speed. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on high speed for 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust cream for desired consistency.
  11. Spread buttercream evenly over cooled cake using an offset spatula.
  12. Roll out black fondant on a surface dusted with powdered sugar. Cut a 3-inch square for the top of the graduation cap and a 1-inch tall rectangle for the base. Attach with water or edible glue.
  13. Use a toothpick for the tassel and sprinkle edible glitter if desired. Place topper gently on the frosted cake.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Sift flour and powdered sugar to avoid lumps. If buttercream is too soft, chill in fridge for 10 minutes before frosting. Fondant shaping is easier on a lightly dusted surface and with cool hands. Cake can be made gluten-free or vegan with substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: buttercream sheet cake, graduation cake, easy cake recipe, creamy frosting, celebration cake, buttercream frosting, sheet cake, party dessert

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/easy-creamy-buttercream-sheet-cake-recipe-with-graduation-cap-topper-tutorial/