5 Delicious Graduation Cake Recipes to Celebrate Your Special Day
Graduation is a special time, and nothing celebrates this milestone quite like a cake! Whether you’re baking for a high school grad or someone finishing college, these graduation cake recipes are sure to add sweetness to the occasion. From classic flavors to unique and fun designs, you’ll find just the right cake to make the celebration unforgettable.
Lemon Zest Graduation Cake with Fresh Berries
This Lemon Zest Graduation Cake is a vibrant and refreshing treat perfect for celebrating academic achievements. With a bright, zesty flavor and a delightful combination of fresh berries, this cake not only looks stunning but tastes incredible. It’s simple enough for bakers of all levels, making it a great choice for your graduation party.
The cake features layers of light lemon-flavored sponge, complemented by a creamy lemon frosting that adds a perfect tang. Topped with an assortment of fresh berries, it’s both eye-catching and delicious, ensuring it will be a hit among your guests.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups mixed fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in lemon zest and vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice until combined and fluffy.
- Once the cakes are cooled, spread a layer of frosting between the cake layers, then frost the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with fresh berries on top. Serve and enjoy!
Classic Vanilla Graduation Cake
Celebrating a graduation deserves a special cake, and a classic vanilla graduation cake fits the bill perfectly. It’s light, fluffy, and bursting with vanilla flavor, making it a crowd-pleaser for any graduation party. The simplicity of the recipe allows even novice bakers to whip it up with ease, ensuring you can focus more on the celebration.
This cake not only tastes great but also looks stunning with its smooth frosting and elegant design. With a few simple decorations, you can turn this cake into a showstopper that complements the festive vibe of any graduation event.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ 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
- 3 cups buttercream frosting
- Decorations (graduation cap, diploma, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until everything is well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, frost the tops and sides of the cakes with buttercream frosting, creating a smooth finish. Decorate as desired with a graduation cap and other fun elements.
Funfetti Graduation Cake
This Funfetti Graduation Cake is a joyful way to celebrate a special achievement. With its vibrant colors and delightful flavor, it’s perfect for any graduation party. The cake is light, fluffy, and packed with colorful sprinkles that bring an exciting pop to each bite.
Not only is this recipe simple to make, but it also adds a festive touch to your celebration. The layers of vanilla cake are complemented by a creamy frosting, making it a hit among guests of all ages. Let’s get started on this fun and delicious graduation cake!
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup rainbow sprinkles
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined. Fold in the sprinkles gently.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Add the heavy cream and vanilla, and beat until smooth.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost between layers and around the sides and top of the cake. Decorate with additional sprinkles as desired.
Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake
This Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any graduation celebration. With its rich chocolate flavor and smooth ganache topping, it’s a show-stopper that everyone will enjoy. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, so you can focus more on celebrating and less on baking!
The layers of moist chocolate cake combined with creamy filling create a balance of textures that’s simply indulgent. Whether you’re making it for a big graduation party or an intimate gathering, this cake is sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water until well combined.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans and transferring them to a wire rack.
- For the ganache, heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it’s just about to boil. Pour it over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of buttercream frosting on top, then place the second layer on top.
- Pour the chocolate ganache over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides. Let it set for a few minutes before serving.
Red Velvet Graduation Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Red velvet cake is a delightful treat that’s perfect for celebrations, especially graduations. Its rich flavor, soft texture, and signature red color make it a showstopper on any dessert table. Topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, this cake strikes a balance between sweet and slightly tart, making every bite memorable.
This recipe is simple to follow, even for beginners. With just a few ingredients, you can create a stunning cake that will impress friends and family at any graduation party. It’s a fun way to celebrate accomplishments while indulging in a delicious dessert!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until smooth.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour and Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top, add the second layer, and repeat. Top with the final layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate: Feel free to add graduation-themed decorations like a small cap or edible confetti to enhance the festive look.
