Graduation Cakes: 2 Easy Recipes to Celebrate the Big Day

Graduation is a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of hard work and dedication. Whether you’re celebrating high school, college, or another milestone, a delicious cake is often the centerpiece of the party. The perfect graduation cake not only adds sweetness to the celebration but also serves as a reflection of the graduate’s achievements.

In this post, we’ll be sharing two easy-to-make graduation cake recipes that will make your celebration even more special. From a classic graduation sheet cake to a fun and festive graduation cupcake cake, these recipes are designed to be beginner-friendly and delicious. We’ll also provide creative decorating tips, personalized messages for your cake, and ways to make your dessert stand out.

Graduation Cakes; Recipe 1: Classic Graduation Sheet Cake

A graduation sheet cake is perfect for large celebrations. It’s straightforward and can be easily customized to fit the theme of the graduation.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade)
• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch pan.
2. Sift the dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Cream the butter and sugar: Beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time and vanilla extract.
5. Combine wet and dry: Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing until smooth.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool.
7. Frost: Spread buttercream frosting evenly over the cake.

Decorating Ideas for Your Graduation Cake:

• School Colors: Use food coloring to match the graduate’s school colors.
• Graduation Cap: Create a graduation cap with fondant or cake pieces.
• Class of 2024: Pipe “Class of 2024” in bold frosting or use fondant letters.
• Simple Toppers: Add mini fondant diplomas or edible glitter.

What to Write on a Graduation Cake:

• “Congrats Grad!”
• “Class of 2024”
• “The Future is Yours!”
• “You Did It!”
• “Hats Off to You!”
• “The Best is Yet to Come!”

Customization Options:

• Flavors: Use chocolate, lemon, or any flavor you prefer.
• Frosting: Swap buttercream for whipped cream or cream cheese frosting.
• Add-ins: Mix in chocolate chips, fruit, or nuts for extra flavor.

Graduation Cakes; Recipe 2: Fun and Easy Graduation Cupcake Cake

A graduation cupcake cake is an amusing and creative way to celebrate the graduate. It’s easy to make and perfect for individual servings, while still being able to fit into a cohesive design like a graduation cap or other fun graduation shapes.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of vanilla or chocolate cake mix (or homemade recipe)
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• Buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Small fondant or candy decorations (graduation caps, diplomas, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Insert cupcake liners into the wells of a muffin tin.
2. Prepare the batter: Follow the cake mix instructions (or your recipe) to prepare the batter.
3. Fill cupcake liners: Pour the batter into cupcake liners, filling them about two-thirds full.
4. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (18-20 minutes). Let cool completely.
5. Decorate: Once cooled, spread a layer of frosting on top of each cupcake, creating a smooth surface for decorating.

Decorating the Cupcake Cake:

• Graduation Caps: Use fondant or small pieces of cake to create miniature graduation caps. Top with a small square of fondant and a tiny piece of string to mimic the tassel.
• Edible Glitter: Add some sparkle with edible glitter or shimmer dust on the cupcakes.
• School Colors: Color your frosting to match the graduate’s school colors.

Graduation Cupcake Cake Ideas:

• Graduation Cap Design: Arrange the cupcakes in the shape of a graduation cap. Place one cupcake in the center for the “top” of the cap and arrange others around it in a square or rectangular shape for the “brim.”
• Diploma Shape: Arrange the cupcakes in a long rectangle to resemble a diploma scroll. Use a fondant or paper decoration to roll the “diploma.”
• Graduation Year: Arrange the cupcakes to form the year “2024” or another significant number for the graduate. Frost the numbers in bright, bold colors for a standout look.

Simple and Fun Cake Toppers:

• Mini Diplomas: Add small rolled-up fondant diplomas on top of cupcakes for a realistic touch.
• Graduation Cap Toppers: Use mini fondant or pre-made graduation cap toppers for easy decoration.
• Themed Sprinkles: Use graduation-themed sprinkles like stars, caps, and diplomas to add extra fun to the cupcakes.
• Candies or Chocolates: Place graduation-themed candies (like chocolate caps or books) on top for a sweet touch.

How to Make a Graduation Cap for a Cake

A graduation cap topper is a great way to personalize your graduation cake and cupcakes. It’s easy to make and adds a festive touch to your celebration. Here’s how to create your own graduation cap topper!

Materials Needed:

• Black fondant (or black-colored modeling chocolate)
• Edible glue (or water)
• Gold ribbon or string
• A small square of fondant or card stock for the top of the cap
• Scissors or a sharp knife
• A rolling pin

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Roll the fondant: Roll out the black fondant to about 1/8 inch thick.
2. Cut the top of the cap: Cut a small square of fondant or card stock to form the top of the cap. The size will depend on the size of your cake or cupcake, but aim for a 2-inch square for cupcakes and a 4-inch square for larger cakes.
3. Shape the sides: Roll out another piece of fondant to form a strip that will wrap around the edges of the top piece to form the “brim” of the cap. Measure and cut the strip to fit, then gently press it against the square.
4. Attach the brim: Use a small amount of edible glue or water to secure the brim to the top of the cap. Make sure it’s tightly attached.
5. Add the tassel: Roll a small piece of fondant into a thin string to create the tassel. Attach it to the center of the cap using edible glue or water. For extra flair, you can add a small loop at the end of the tassel.
6. Final Touches: For a polished look, wrap a gold ribbon around the base of the cap, securing it with a dab of edible glue.

Personalization:

• Tassel: For a more personalized touch, you can create a small graduation year charm and hang it from the tassel.
• Graduate’s Initials: Use a small piece of fondant to cut out the graduate’s initials or a special message and place it on top of the cap or on the cake itself.
• Graduation Year: You can also shape numbers from fondant and add them to the cap or cake for a custom look, such as “Class of 2024.”

Fun Alternatives:

• Diploma: Create mini fondant diplomas to place around the cake or cupcakes. Roll small pieces of fondant and tie with a thin string.
• Books: Stack small fondant “books” on top of the cake for a cute, scholarly touch.
• Class of [Year] Banner: Make a small banner using fondant or edible paper with “Class of [Year]” written on it, and drape it over the graduation cap or cake.

Easy Graduation Cake Ideas for Every Skill Level

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, there are plenty of ways to make a stunning graduation cake without the stress. Here are some easy-to-follow and creative ideas to help you celebrate the big day.

Simple Grad Cake Designs:

For beginners, a simple graduation cake can still look impressive with minimal effort:

• Colored Frosting: Use school colors to decorate your cake with a smooth layer of buttercream frosting. This adds a personal touch with minimal effort.
• Piped Messages: Use a piping bag to write a short, celebratory message like “Congrats Grad!” or “Class of [Year].” This is easy to do with a simple script or block font.
• Fondant Decorations: Cut out simple shapes from fondant, such as stars, hearts, or letters, to decorate the cake. Fondant can be easily rolled and shaped, making it a quick option for beginners.

Decorated Cakes for Graduation:

Even if you don’t have advanced cake decorating skills, you can still achieve a beautifully decorated graduation cake:

• Edible Images: Many bakeries offer edible image prints, which you can place on your cake for a professional look. Choose an image that represents the graduate’s school or a fun, thematic design.
• Pre-made Toppers: Using pre-made graduation cake toppers like mini caps, diplomas, or fondant figurines is a quick way to decorate your cake without any hassle. Just place the topper on your cake for instant graduation flair.

Sheet Cake Graduation Ideas:

For larger celebrations, a sheet cake is a great option. You can easily decorate a big cake for a crowd with straightforward ideas:

• School Colors: Frost the entire cake in one or two bold colors, then pipe a simple border around the edges with contrasting colors.
• Class Year: Write the graduation year (“Class of 2024”) in large, bold letters across the center for a cheerful and easy design.
• Grad Cap Design: Use the corner of the sheet cake to create a small, simple graduation cap using fondant or piped frosting.

Graduation Cakes Decorating Tips:

You don’t need advanced skills to decorate a gorgeous graduation cake. Here are a few tips:

• Sprinkles: Add some fun by using sprinkles in the graduate’s school colors. Edible glitter or confetti can also add a touch of sparkle.
• Ready-made Fondant: If you’re not confident with homemade fondant, ready-made fondant sheets can be easily shaped into decorations like stars, letters, or graduation caps.
• Fun Edible Toppers: Consider using graduation-themed edible toppers like candy caps, mini diplomas, or pre-made “Class of [Year]” banners for a quick and personalized look.

Conclusion

In this post, we’ve shared two delicious graduation cake recipes: the Classic Graduation Sheet Cake and the Fun and Easy Graduation Cupcake Cake. Both are simple to make and perfect for celebrating the big day. Whether you choose a sheet cake for a larger crowd or a fun cupcake cake for individual servings, both options are sure to impress.

But why stop there? If you’re looking for another show-stopping dessert to add to your celebration, consider trying the 5-Step Reese’s Caramel Cheesecake Recipe. This decadent, creamy, and irresistible treat is a surefire way to elevate your graduation party. Remember, personalization is key! Adding a heartfelt message, using the graduate’s school colors, and including creative toppers like graduation caps or mini diplomas can make your cake extra special. Don’t be afraid to make your dessert table unique with personal touches and entertaining decorations. We’d love to hear about your graduation cake experiences or any creative dessert ideas you’ve tried! Share your stories in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.where to buy a graduation cake

You can purchase a graduation cake from local bakeries or online cake shops. Many local bakeries offer custom graduation cakes with designs to match your theme, while online stores like 1-800-Flowers, Cake Boss, and Walmart provide convenient options for customization and delivery.

2. What should I look for when choosing a bakery for a graduation cake?

When selecting a bakery, consider factors like cake quality, design options, customization possibilities, delivery or pick-up convenience, and customer reviews. Compare prices and check reviews to ensure the cake meets your expectations for both taste and appearance.

3. How far in advance should I order a graduation cake?

It’s best to order your graduation cake at least 1–2 weeks in advance to ensure the bakery has enough time to customize it to your liking. During peak graduation season, consider placing your order even earlier to secure availability.

4. Can I customize a store-bought graduation cake?

Yes! You can personalize a store-bought cake with items like edible cake toppers, graduation-themed decorations, or icing pens. Adding a heartfelt message or the graduate’s school colors can make the cake feel more unique and special.

5. What size cake do I need for my graduation party?

The number of guests is what makes you decide the size of the cake. A half-sheet cake typically serves 25–40 people, while a full-sheet cake can serve 50–100. If you’re hosting a smaller gathering, consider a round cake or cupcake cake for individual servings.

6. How do I safely transport a graduation cake?

Transporting a graduation cake requires careful planning to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Here’s how:

• Choose the Right Base: Place the cake on a sturdy cake board or tray that’s slightly larger than the cake to provide stability.
• Use a Cake Box: Secure the cake in a fitted cake box to protect it from dust and external elements.
• Refrigerate Before Transport: Chill the cake for at least an hour before transport to firm up the frosting and decorations.
• Level Surface: Place the cake on a flat surface in your vehicle, like the trunk or floorboard, rather than a seat.
• Non-Slip Mat: Use a non-slip mat underneath the cake box to prevent it from sliding during transit.
• Drive Carefully: Avoid sudden stops, sharp turns, or bumpy roads to minimize movement.
• Bring Touch-Up Tools: Pack extra frosting, a spatula, and any decorations for quick fixes if needed.

7. What are the best flavors for graduation cakes?

The best flavors for graduation cakes cater to a variety of tastes while being easy to customize. Here are some popular options:

• Classic Vanilla or Chocolate: Timeless and universally loved, these flavors are great for large gatherings where you want to please everyone.
• Red Velvet: A visually striking choice that pairs beautifully with cream cheese frosting.
• Lemon or Citrus: Light and refreshing, perfect for spring and summer graduations.
• Marble Cake: Combines vanilla and chocolate for those who want the best of both worlds.
• Specialty Flavors: Consider flavors like salted caramel, mocha, or funfetti for a modern twist.
• Dietary-Friendly Options: Offer gluten-free, vegan, or low-sugar options to accommodate dietary restrictions.