Five Delicious Graduation Cake Recipes

🎓 1. Classic Vanilla Graduation Cake with Buttercream & Berries

Fluffy, festive, and fresh!
Ingredients:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup whole milk

• Buttercream frosting (homemade or store-bought)

• Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.

2. Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.

3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

4. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, mixing just until combined.

5. Pour into pans and bake 30–35 min. Cool completely.

6. Frost with buttercream and decorate with berries and edible gold flakes or a “Congrats Grad” topper.

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🎓 2. Chocolate Ganache Graduation Drip Cake

Decadent and dramatic
Ingredients:

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1½ tsp baking powder

• 1½ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup buttermilk

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)

• Chocolate ganache (½ cup heavy cream + 1 cup chocolate chips)

• Optional: edible glitter or chocolate diploma decorations

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 8-inch pans.

2. Mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.

3. Combine with dry ingredients, then stir in hot coffee.

4. Bake 30–35 min. Cool before layering.

5. Pour ganache over top of frosted cake, allowing drips.

6. Decorate with edible gold stars, graduation hat topper, or name plaque.

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🎓 3. Red Velvet Graduation Sheet Cake

Perfect for serving a crowd
Ingredients:

• 2½ cups cake flour

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1½ cups sugar

• 1½ cups vegetable oil

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 2 tbsp red food coloring

• 1 tsp white vinegar

• Cream cheese frosting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 sheet pan.

2. Sift flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda.

3. Mix sugar and oil. Add eggs, vanilla, and coloring.

4. Alternate adding dry mix and buttermilk. Stir in vinegar last.

5. Pour into pan and bake 35–40 minutes.

6. Frost with cream cheese frosting and decorate with piped messages like “Class of 2025.”

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🎓 4. Lemon Raspberry Graduation Cake

Light, fruity, and elegant
Ingredients:

• 2½ cups cake flour

• 2½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• 1¾ cups sugar

• 4 eggs

• Zest of 2 lemons

• ½ cup lemon juice

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1½ cups fresh raspberries

• Lemon buttercream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 8-inch pans.

2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.

3. Mix lemon zest/juice, then alternate flour and buttermilk.

4. Fold in raspberries.

5. Bake 30–35 min. Cool and frost with lemon buttercream.

6. Decorate with sugared raspberries and fondant graduation caps.

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🎓 5. Funfetti Graduation Cupcake Cake

Whimsical and fun for all ages
Ingredients:

• 2½ cups flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup butter

• 1½ cups sugar

• 4 eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla

• ¾ cup whole milk

• ½ cup rainbow sprinkles

• Vanilla buttercream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake pans.

2. Mix dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.

3. Add flour and milk alternately. Stir in sprinkles last.

4. Fill liners ⅔ full and bake 18–20 minutes.

5. Arrange cupcakes into a graduation cap or 2025 shape on a board. Frost and decorate with black icing or mini toppers.