Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or non-stick spray, then line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla powder.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Start and finish with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Once cooled, frost with your favorite graduation-themed frosting and decorate as desired!
Notes
- For optimal freshness, store your graduation cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- If you have leftover cake, gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back its moist texture without drying it out.
- Consider serving the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra celebratory touch that complements the flavors beautifully.
- For a unique twist, try adding citrus zest like lemon or orange to the batter for a refreshing flavor boost that pairs wonderfully with frosting!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of a 9-inch round cake)
- Calories: 350
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 30g