Class 2026 Vanilla Sheet Cake (Printable Version)

A fluffy vanilla sheet cake with creamy buttercream and festive graduation decorations.

# What You Need:

→ 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 - 1½ cups whole milk, room temperature

→ Vanilla Buttercream

10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - ¼ cup whole milk, room temperature
14 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

15 - Graduation-themed sprinkles or edible decorations
16 - Gel food coloring, optional for school colors

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 12x18-inch sheet pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed. Pour in half the milk and mix gently. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and milk, mixing just until combined.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
09 - Beat butter until creamy, approximately 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla, milk, and salt. Beat on high for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
10 - Spread buttercream evenly over the cooled cake. Decorate with graduation-themed sprinkles or edible decorations.
11 - Slice and serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Fluffy, tender vanilla cake that’s easy to bake in a large sheet pan.
  • Creamy vanilla buttercream that spreads smoothly and can be colored for personalization.
  • Perfectly portioned for large gatherings, with 24 satisfying servings.
  • Vegetarian-friendly ingredients keep it accessible to many diets.
  • Customizable decorations make it ideal for graduations or other celebrations.
02 -
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter and frosting.
  • Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumps in the buttercream.
  • Grease and line your pan precisely to prevent sticking and ease removal.
  • Beat butter and sugar long enough to incorporate air for a fluffy cake.
  • Check doneness early with a toothpick to avoid overbaking and dryness.
  • Customize frosting colors with gel food coloring for vibrant results without changing texture.
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