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Easy Moist Sheet Cake Recipe with Graduation Cap Toppers for Perfect Celebration

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A quick and easy moist sheet cake made from a boxed yellow cake mix with added sour cream and vanilla for extra tenderness, topped with creamy buttercream frosting and decorated with handmade graduation cap toppers. Perfect for celebrations and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box yellow cake mix (Betty Crocker recommended)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Black cardstock or heavy paper (for toppers)
  • Wooden toothpicks (for toppers)
  • Gold or yellow thread (for tassels)
  • Glue or double-sided tape (for toppers)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and well blended. Add water by tablespoon if batter is too thick.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Tap the pan gently to release air bubbles.
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  5. Cool the cake completely on a wire rack before frosting.
  6. Prepare the frosting by beating softened butter on medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add sifted powdered sugar alternating with milk, mixing on low speed until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Adjust consistency with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
  7. Frost the cooled cake evenly using an offset spatula or butter knife, creating soft waves or swirls for texture.
  8. Make the graduation cap toppers by cutting 1.5-inch squares from black cardstock, folding and gluing a small tassel made from gold thread onto each square. Attach a toothpick to the back with tape or glue and let dry.
  9. Decorate the frosted cake by gently inserting the graduation cap toppers evenly spaced.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs for better batter blending. Avoid overmixing to keep cake light and tender. Chill frosting briefly if too soft before spreading. Cool cake completely before frosting to prevent melting. Store cake tightly wrapped in refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Remove cardstock toppers before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet cake, moist cake, easy cake recipe, graduation cake, celebration dessert, boxed cake mix, buttercream frosting, party cake

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