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Perfect Grad Sheet Cake Recipe with Easy Custom Color Buttercream Borders

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A moist and tender vanilla sheet cake perfect for graduations and celebrations, topped with customizable colorful buttercream borders that are easy to pipe and forgiving for beginners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (320g)
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (227g), softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240ml), room temperature
  • ½ cup whole milk (120ml), room temperature
  • For the Buttercream:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (227g), softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480g), sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2–4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (30-60ml)
  • Gel food coloring as needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch sheet cake pan with butter or non-stick spray, then dust with flour.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Add the dry ingredients in thirds alternately with the buttermilk and whole milk in stages, mixing gently after each addition. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool the cake completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
  9. For the buttercream, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to avoid clouds.
  10. Add vanilla extract and heavy cream or milk, adjusting for desired consistency.
  11. Divide the buttercream into bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
  12. Spread a smooth layer of plain buttercream over the cooled cake using an offset spatula.
  13. Fill piping bags fitted with tips (such as Wilton 1M star tip) with colored buttercream and pipe borders along the edges.
  14. Rest your elbow on the table for better control and pipe steady borders. If needed, scrape off and try again quickly.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix the batter to avoid toughness. Use gel food coloring to keep buttercream thick and vibrant. Chill the cake if kitchen is warm before piping. Practice piping on parchment paper to build confidence. Cover buttercream when not piping to prevent drying.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet cake, graduation cake, buttercream borders, vanilla cake, easy cake recipe, celebration cake, colorful frosting

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/perfect-grad-sheet-cake-recipe-with-easy-custom-color-buttercream-borders/