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A single-tiered graduation-themed cake with a gold ombre design, topped with a navy blue fondant graduation cap and tassel. The cake features a crest emblem and is adorned with a rolled diploma tied with a golden ribbon.

Elegant Graduation Celebration Cake Recipe

A professional-grade three-tiered graduation cake featuring classic cap and diploma decorations, perfect for celebrating academic achievements.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 5 hours
Course Celebration Cake, Dessert, Special Occasion
Cuisine American, Contemporary, International
Servings 60 slices
Calories 285 kcal

Equipment

  • Cake Pans (12-inch, 9-inch, 6-inch)
  • Mixer
  • Piping Bags
  • Fondant Rolling Pin
  • Cake Boards (14-inch, 11-inch, 8-inch)
  • Cake dowels

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cake Base

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour for bottom tier
  • 5 cups granulated sugar for bottom tier
  • 2.5 cups unsalted butter softened
  • 10 large eggs room temperature
  • 2.5 cups whole milk
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract

Buttercream Frosting

  • 8 cups unsalted butter softened
  • 32 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Decoration

  • 8 pounds white fondant
  • 2 pounds black fondant
  • 1 pound gold fondant

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and line cake pans with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
  • Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture. Mix until combined.
  • Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake: 75-80 minutes for 12-inch, 60-65 minutes for 9-inch, and 45-50 minutes for 6-inch cakes.
  • Let cakes cool completely before leveling and stacking.
  • Prepare buttercream by whipping butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream. Beat until fluffy.
  • Level and stack cakes, applying buttercream between layers.
  • Cover each tier smoothly with rolled fondant.
  • Secure tiers using cake dowels and a center dowel.
  • Decorate with fondant graduation cap, diploma, and gold accents.

Notes

This cake requires advanced baking and decorating skills. Plan ahead and allow sufficient time for preparation and decoration.
Keyword Academic celebration, Custom cake, Graduation cake, Tiered cake