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Easy Moist Graduation Sheet Cake Recipe with Perfect Buttercream Frosting

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A quick and easy vanilla sheet cake with a moist, tender crumb and smooth buttercream frosting, perfect for graduation parties and celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120g) sour cream
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted (for frosting)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch sheet pan with butter or nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  4. Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry mix, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan and peel off the parchment. Cool completely before frosting (about 1 hour).
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until fluffy and pale.
  9. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Add vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk.
  10. Beat on high for another 3 minutes until light and spreadable. Add extra cream if needed.
  11. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake using an offset spatula or butter knife. For a smooth finish, dip the spatula in hot water and dry before smoothing.
  12. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or piped borders for a personal touch.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and dairy for better mixing and volume. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender. Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. For dairy-free or vegan options, substitute buttermilk with almond milk and vinegar, use vegan butter, and flax eggs. For gluten-free, replace flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Use an oven thermometer to maintain consistent temperature and prevent sinking.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cake, sheet cake, vanilla cake, buttercream frosting, easy cake recipe, moist cake, celebration dessert

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/easy-moist-graduation-sheet-cake-recipe-with-perfect-buttercream-frosting/