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Perfect Gold and Navy Graduation Layer Cake

gold and navy graduation layer cake - featured image
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A moist vanilla layer cake with smooth buttercream frosting, decorated with navy fondant and a shimmering gold fondant diploma topper, perfect for graduation celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
  • 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • 3–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk (for buttercream)
  • Pinch of salt (for buttercream)
  • White rolled fondant (about 250g)
  • Edible gold luster dust
  • Edible navy food coloring gel
  • Small paintbrush for dusting and painting details
  • Thin black edible marker or food coloring pen (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter with 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk in two parts, beginning and ending with flour. Mix gently until combined.
  6. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Let cakes cool in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. For buttercream, beat 1 ½ cups softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and spreadable.
  9. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread about ½ cup buttercream evenly on top. Add second layer and frost top and sides evenly.
  10. Knead navy food coloring into white fondant until deep, even shade. Roll out to about 1/8 inch thick on a surface dusted with powdered sugar or cornstarch.
  11. Cut a rectangle about 4 inches by 2 inches for the diploma. Roll a thin strip of fondant for the ribbon and attach with water.
  12. Brush fondant diploma lightly with edible gold dust. Optionally write graduate’s name with edible pen.
  13. Place fondant diploma on top of cake. Dust cake edges or other fondant decorations with gold luster dust.

Notes

If fondant gets sticky, chill it in the fridge for a few minutes. Chill the frosted cake before applying fondant to firm up buttercream. Use a toothpick test to check cake doneness. Room temperature ingredients mix better. Level cake layers for a professional look. Fondant diploma can be personalized with edible ink.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cake, layer cake, vanilla cake, buttercream frosting, fondant cake, gold cake, navy cake, celebration cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/perfect-gold-and-navy-graduation-layer-cake-easy-fondant-diploma-tutorial/