Graduation Cake Ideas

Graduation Cake is a time for recognizing a major achievement which should be met with an equally special celebration.

Showcased at the centre of these celebrations is typically a cake that not only delights taste buds but also represents the grad’s path.

If you need inspiration or simply want to bake your graduation cake, this post should give some insight into the possibility and ideas surrounding “graduation cake”.

The Basics of a Graduation Cake

A graduation cake is not just a dessert it stands for years of hard work, determination and success.

When contemplating graduation cake ideas, a lot will depend on the party’s topic (if there is one).

what hobbies the person graduating may have and how many guests are invited. The cake will be traditional or modern, decadent for a day of loved-up indulgence.

Top Graduation Cake Themes

Cap and Diploma Cake:

A popular choice which shows the cap of the wearer along with a diploma was rolled on the top part of this cake. You can personalize this theme with the graduate’s school colours and also by adding their name, and year of graduation.

Books & Knowledge Theme:

For all of us who know the librarian way too well. A stack of book-shaped cakes, such as increased during their school time.

School Mascot Cake

Celebrate that school spirit your graduates have with a cute cake shaped or decorated like the school mascot.

Specialized Cake

If the graduate is pursuing a specific career such as medicine, law or engineering choose a career that fits his future profession. For instance, a medical kit or judge gavel cake.

Simple Elegance:

It is not every time that the cake needs to be grand. A clean-line cake with minimalistic decorations and an easy ‘Congratulations’ message can make quite as large of a press.

Graduation Cake Ingredient and Instructions

The Graduation Cake Recipe

You want a recipe that the graduate will enjoy and most of your other guests. And here is how to make a basic vanilla graduation cake with buttercream frosting, start to finish:

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of butter (room temperature)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the Buttercream Frosting:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Colouring food colouring (for decoration)

Instructions:

How to Make It:

• Pre-heat the Oven and Grab Your Pans. Light your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans

Mix the Dry Ingredients:

• Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.

Cream the Butter and Sugar:

• Beat the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. This should take around 4-5 minutes.

Add Eggs and Vanilla:

• Add the eggs one at a time and blend well after adding each. Combine the vanilla extract.

Add Dry Ingredients to Liquid Mix:

• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk starting and ending with one of your flour mixtures. Mix until just combined.

Bake the Cake:

• Evenly distribute the batter to each of your prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centres comes out clean. Place it on a wire rack, letting the cake stay in pans for about 10 minutes.

Make the Buttercream Frosting:

• As the cakes cool, make the buttercream. In a bowl, beat together the butter SLOWLY add in powdered sugar and mix until combined. Stir in the vanilla and 2 tablespoons cream. Whip on high for 3-4 minutes until frosting is light & fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream one tbsp at a time.

Assemble and Decorate:

• Level the cake layers if needed after they are completely cool. Set one layer down on a serving plate, frost with just enough buttercream over the top generously and set the second cake layer in place. Spread the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream. Tint portions of the frosting with food colouring and use it to decorate a graduation cap, diploma or any other theme on top of the cake.

The Most Personalization and Detail

There you go, the graduation cake and adding a personal touch to it will make it exclusive. Consider these ideas:

Edible Images — Print photos of the graduate or snapshots from their time spent in school to put on the cake.

Fondant Decorations: Fondant can be rolled out, cut and form 3D decorations like books, graduation caps or the name of your graduate.

Flavours and Fillings: Customize cake flavours and fillings to what the graduate enjoys. Flavours such as chocolate, red velvet or lemon(pdf)

Tips For Picking Or Designing Graduation Cake

Number of Guests: Make sure the cake is large enough to feed all guests. So, if we talk in a general rule, a 9-inch round cake serves about twenty people.

Price: Custom cakes are not cheap. If you are looking to save money, DIY your cake or go for a simpler design.

What are some of the dietary restrictions for guests to have your gluten-free stuff and also vegan those are things that you must keep in consideration.

FAQs

How far in advance should I order a graduation cake?

You should order the cake at least two weeks in advance if possible, especially during graduation season. With this, the bakery can also prioritize your custom design.

Can I freeze a graduation cake?

A graduation cake can be frozen after it is decorated, yes. Cool the cake, uncovered on a wire rack for 1 hour and then tightly wrap the Cake in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. Place in the fridge to thaw overnight before preparing the next day.

How much does a custom graduation cake typically cost?

The price of a custom graduation cake will also vary depending on the complexity of the designs, size and bakery. Expect to pay $50 — $150 on average.

What are some popular cake flavours for graduation cakes?

Vanilla, chocolate, red velvet and lemon are some of the favourite options. Other flavors such as salted caramel or tiramisu appeal to a certain sector of the population.

Can I use a box cake mix for a graduation cake?

Absolutely! You can also use a box cake mix, and with the proper decorations, it will still be decent! Add more vanilla extract or substitute milk for water to give it an extra flavour boost.

Conclusion

Baking the ideal graduation cake is about more than tact; it allows you to mark a major milestone in your life and contributes a slump of legacy. Whether a traditional cap and diploma or a career-related theme that ties into the graduate’s journey and plans used to personalize it even more! When you use quality ingredients and pay attention to detail in decoration, with a bit of planning ahead your graduation cake can be as delicious as it is stunning.