Before you begin mixing, it’s important to prep your baking tools. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cake bakes evenly. Next, grease your cake pans with butter and lightly dust them with flour, or line them with parchment paper. This prevents your cake from sticking and makes for an easy release once baked.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. Once creamy, add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure the eggs are fully incorporated before adding the next.

Next, sift your cake flour and baking powder together in a separate bowl to ensure they are evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with whole milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until the batter is smooth and fully combined don’t overmix!

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans. Use a spatula to smooth the tops. Bake in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Every oven is different, so start checking around 20 minutes to avoid overbaking. Once done, remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cakes are cooling, let’s get started on the frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Gradually add heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting reaches your desired consistency smooth, fluffy, and spreadable.

For a more stable frosting (great for decorating), add more powdered sugar. For a softer texture, add a little more cream. If you want to get a little creative, you can tint the frosting with food coloring to match the graduation theme or even use different shades for a multi-colored effect.

Now for the fun part assembly! Place the first layer of your cooled cake on a serving platter or cake board. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top, smoothing it out to the edges. Add the second cake layer and gently press down to level it. Frost the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it out as you go.

If you want a more polished look, you can use a fondant covering for a sleek finish, or pipe decorative borders with your frosting for a more textured effect. Be sure to have fun with it and personalize the design. This is your chance to get creative and make the cake truly special for the graduate.

Once your cake is frosted, it’s time for the graduation-themed decorations. You can use fondant to create graduation caps, scrolls, or even the year of graduation in numbers. A sprinkle of edible glitter or gold leaf adds a touch of elegance. For an extra personal touch, top the cake with a custom graduation topper perhaps the graduate’s name, school logo, or a fun quote about the next chapter.

And there you have it! A beautiful, delicious graduation cake ready to take center stage at your celebration. Remember, this recipe is just a starting point feel free to tweak it to suit your style and tastes. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a first-timer, following these steps will help you craft a cake that’s as memorable as the graduation day itself. Enjoy the process and, of course, the cake!