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Perfect High School Graduation Sheet Cake Recipe for Class of 2026 Celebration

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A moist, fluffy, and flavorful sheet cake perfect for celebrating high school graduations, featuring a simple yet festive Class of 2026 design.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Gel food coloring in school colors or black and gold
  • Edible markers or piping bags with small round tips
  • Optional: sprinkles or edible glitter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust with flour.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Using a mixer on medium speed, beat 1 cup softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well between additions.
  9. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  10. Spread buttercream evenly over cooled cake with an offset spatula. Chill briefly if needed to set frosting.
  11. Tint small amounts of frosting with gel food coloring. Pipe ‘Class of 2026’ lettering using piping bags with small round tips or edible markers on fondant strips.
  12. Add sprinkles or edible glitter if desired.

Notes

Butter should be at room temperature for best frosting texture. Do not overmix batter after adding flour to avoid toughness. Use an oven thermometer for accurate baking temperature. Cool cake completely before frosting to prevent melting. Practice piping lettering on parchment paper before decorating the cake. Chill frosting briefly if too soft for piping.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cake, sheet cake, Class of 2026, buttercream frosting, celebration cake, easy cake recipe, party dessert

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/perfect-high-school-graduation-sheet-cake-recipe-for-class-of-2026-celebration/