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Easy Elegant Two-Layer Graduation Cake Recipe with Buttercream Piping Tutorial

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A simple yet elegant two-layer vanilla cake with creamy buttercream piping, perfect for graduation celebrations and special occasions. This recipe is quick, easy, and uses basic pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (320g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons (10g) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: food coloring gel for custom colors

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. On low speed, alternately add dry ingredients and milk in three parts, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Tap pans gently to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks and cool completely.
  8. For buttercream, beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to avoid dust cloud.
  9. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on high for 3-4 minutes until fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream or powdered sugar if needed.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread thick, even layer of buttercream on top. Place second layer on top and cover entire cake with thin crumb coat. Chill for 15-20 minutes.
  11. Load buttercream into piping bag fitted with desired tip. Pipe swirls, rosettes, or borders around cake edges.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and butter for best texture. Do not overmix batter after adding flour to keep cake tender. Sift powdered sugar for smooth buttercream. Chill cake after crumb coat before piping. If buttercream softens while piping, refrigerate piping bag for 10 minutes. Cake layers can be baked a day ahead and wrapped tightly.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cake, two-layer cake, buttercream piping, vanilla cake, easy cake recipe, celebration cake, party dessert

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/easy-elegant-two-layer-graduation-cake-recipe-with-buttercream-piping-tutorial/