Graduation Sheet Cake Buttercream Roses (Printable Version)

Moist vanilla sheet cake topped with smooth buttercream and colorful piped roses for celebrations.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sheet Cake

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
09 - 1¼ cups whole milk, room temperature

→ Buttercream and Decoration

10 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
11 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - ¼ cup whole milk
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Gel food coloring in assorted colors

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 12x18-inch sheet cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
07 - Allow cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes.
09 - Divide buttercream into separate bowls. Tint portions with gel food coloring for roses (red, pink, yellow) and leaves (green). Reserve some white frosting for the base layer.
10 - Spread a thin layer of white buttercream over the cooled cake to create a smooth foundation.
11 - Fit piping bags with petal tips for roses and leaf tips for foliage. Pipe roses and leaves across the cake surface, focusing on corners or as a border.
12 - Using a small round piping tip, write a congratulatory message or personalized graduation greeting on the cake.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect for celebrations: This festive sheet cake serves 24, making it ideal for graduation parties and large gatherings.
  • Stunning presentation: Hand-piped buttercream roses create an elegant, bakery-worthy appearance that wows guests.
  • Customizable decoration: Choose your school colors or favorite hues to personalize the floral design.
  • Soft and moist texture: The vanilla cake base is tender and flavorful, pairing perfectly with smooth buttercream.
  • Medium difficulty: While the piping requires some practice, the cake itself is straightforward to prepare.
02 -
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant, non-runny colors that won't thin your buttercream.
  • Invest in quality piping tips—a petal tip for roses and a leaf tip for foliage make all the difference.
  • Chill piped roses briefly in the refrigerator to set them before transporting the cake.
  • Apply a crumb coat (thin layer of frosting) first, then chill before applying your final smooth base layer.
  • Keep extra buttercream on hand in case you need to touch up decorations or add more roses.
  • Watch online tutorials for piping roses if you're new to cake decorating—practice makes perfect!
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