15 Graduation Cake Recipes To Impress Guests
Graduation day deserves more than just a basic dessert table—it calls for a showstopper cake that everyone will remember. Whether you’re celebrating a preschooler, high school senior, or a college grad, these cakes are designed to be visually stunning, crowd-pleasing, and totally party-worthy.
From elegant layer cakes to fun, themed bakes, these 15 graduation cake recipes will help you serve up sweet success—one delicious slice at a time.
1. Classic Vanilla Graduation Layer Cake
Nothing says “celebration” like a tall, beautifully frosted vanilla layer cake. This one is soft, fluffy, and packed with rich vanilla flavor—plus, it’s easy to customize with your school colors or graduation toppers.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease three 8-inch round cake pans.
2- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
3- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
5- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk until combined.
6- Divide batter into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes.
7- Cool completely, then frost with vanilla buttercream and decorate with sprinkles, graduation caps, or fondant numbers.
2. Chocolate Espresso Celebration Cake
This cake is rich, intense, and sure to impress any chocolate-loving graduate. A hint of espresso deepens the flavor and adds a sophisticated edge to the celebration.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup hot brewed espresso
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans.
2- In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
3- In another bowl, mix espresso, buttermilk, oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4- Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until smooth.
5- Pour into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
6- Let cool, then frost with espresso or mocha buttercream and finish with chocolate curls or a fondant graduation scroll.
3. Confetti Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting
Perfect for grads of all ages, this colorful confetti cake is soft, moist, and bursting with rainbow sprinkles. It looks playful but tastes absolutely bakery-worthy.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch pans.
2- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
4- Add eggs and vanilla, then alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk.
5- Gently fold in rainbow sprinkles.
6- Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7- Frost with whipped cream or vanilla frosting and top with more sprinkles and “Class of [Year]” cake toppers.
4. Lemon Raspberry Graduation Sheet Cake
Zesty lemon and sweet-tart raspberries make this sheet cake a refreshing and vibrant option for spring or summer graduation parties. It’s easy to slice and serve to a crowd.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1½ cups fresh raspberries
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
4- Add eggs one at a time, then lemon zest and juice.
5- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
6- Gently fold in raspberries.
7- Pour into pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
8- Once cool, frost with lemon buttercream and decorate with fresh raspberries and a glittery “Congrats Grad” topper.
5. Cookies and Cream Graduation Cake
This crowd-favorite cake is made with layers of chocolate cake and cookies-and-cream frosting, finished with crushed Oreos and a playful chocolate drip. It’s a guaranteed hit.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup crushed Oreos (for frosting)
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 8-inch round cake pans.
2- Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3- In another bowl, mix milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
4- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then stir in boiling water until smooth.
5- Divide batter and bake for 30–35 minutes.
6- Cool and frost with Oreo buttercream.
7- Decorate with whole Oreos, chocolate ganache drip, and a fondant graduation cap.
6. Strawberry Shortcake Graduation Cake
This light and dreamy cake features fluffy vanilla layers, sweet strawberries, and pillowy whipped cream—perfect for a spring or summer graduation celebration.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 cups whipped cream (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans.
2- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
5- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until batter is smooth.
6- Divide into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes.
7- Once cool, layer the cakes with whipped cream and sliced strawberries.
8- Top with more whipped cream, extra berries, and a grad cap cake topper.
7. Funfetti Graduation Sheet Cake
A colorful and nostalgic sheet cake packed with sprinkles—it’s festive, budget-friendly, and serves a crowd with ease.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch cake pan.
2- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
5- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk.
6- Fold in sprinkles.
7- Pour into pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
8- Cool and frost with vanilla buttercream.
9- Add more sprinkles and “Class of [Year]” piped in icing.
8. Almond Raspberry Graduation Cake
Elegant and flavorful, this almond-scented cake with layers of raspberry jam and cream cheese frosting is perfect for a more sophisticated celebration.
Ingredients:
- 2¼ cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¾ cups sugar
- 4 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup raspberry jam
- Cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease three 8-inch pans.
2- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add egg whites and almond extract.
4- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
5- Divide into pans and bake for 25–28 minutes.
6- Cool completely.
7- Layer with raspberry jam and cream cheese frosting.
8- Decorate with fresh raspberries and almond slivers.
9. Marble Graduation Cake with Chocolate Glaze
A swirled blend of chocolate and vanilla cake in every bite, topped with a shiny chocolate glaze—this one’s equal parts elegant and indulgent.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk (for chocolate swirl)
- Chocolate glaze (melted chocolate + cream)
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch bundt or loaf pan.
2- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
5- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
6- Divide batter in half. Mix cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons milk into one half.
7- Spoon vanilla and chocolate batters alternately into pan and swirl with a knife.
8- Bake for 45–50 minutes.
9- Once cool, pour chocolate glaze over top and add gold sugar or chocolate grad cap toppers.
10. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Rich, spiced, and packed with shredded carrots and walnuts, this classic cake is always a hit—and the cream cheese frosting? Legendary.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1½ cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- Cream cheese frosting
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch pans.
2- Mix flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a bowl.
3- In another bowl, whisk oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4- Add dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
5- Fold in carrots and walnuts.
6- Divide into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
7- Cool completely and frost with cream cheese frosting.
8- Decorate with chopped nuts, carrot curls, or a piped “Congratulations” banner.
11. Naked Berry Graduation Cake
This beautiful “naked” cake is light, airy, and loaded with whipped cream and fresh berries—perfect for a rustic or garden-themed graduation party.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1¾ cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 2 cups whipped cream or whipped frosting
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease three 8-inch cake pans.
2- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time.
4- Stir in vanilla, then alternate adding milk and dry ingredients.
5- Divide into pans and bake for 25–28 minutes.
6- Cool completely.
7- Stack layers with whipped cream and fresh berries between each, leaving the sides mostly bare for that “naked” look.
8- Top with more berries and a minimalist “Congrats Grad” cake topper.
12. Peanut Butter Chocolate Explosion Cake
This one’s for the peanut butter lovers! It’s ultra-rich with chocolate cake layers, creamy peanut butter frosting, and a chocolate ganache drip.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- Peanut butter frosting (peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, milk)
- Chocolate ganache for dripping
- Mini peanut butter cups or chopped peanuts for garnish
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans.
2- Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3- Whisk milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla together.
4- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then stir in boiling water.
5- Pour into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
6- Cool completely.
7- Frost with peanut butter frosting, then drip chocolate ganache over the top.
8- Decorate with peanut butter cups and crushed peanuts.
13. Coconut Pineapple Graduation Cake
Tropical and refreshing, this coconut-pineapple cake is soft, fruity, and unforgettable. A great fit for outdoor celebrations or beach-themed parties.
Ingredients:
- 2¼ cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 cup canned crushed pineapple (drained)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- Coconut cream frosting (or whipped cream)
- Toasted coconut flakes for topping
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans.
2- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time.
4- Stir in coconut extract.
5- Add pineapple and alternate with coconut milk and flour mix.
6- Bake for 28–30 minutes.
7- Cool completely, then frost with coconut cream.
8- Sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes and add edible tropical flowers or grad picks.
14. Red Velvet Diploma Cake
This bold red velvet cake with classic cream cheese frosting is made party-ready with rolled fondant “diploma” decorations.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1½ cups vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- Cream cheese frosting
- White fondant and black ribbon (for diploma decor)
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round pans.
2- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
3- In another bowl, beat sugar and oil until combined.
4- Add eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla, and food coloring.
5- Mix in vinegar and buttermilk.
6- Add flour mixture gradually and stir until smooth.
7- Bake for 30 minutes and cool completely.
8- Frost with cream cheese frosting.
9- Roll fondant into small “diplomas” and tie with black ribbon or licorice string.
10- Place on top of cake for a graduation-ready look.
15. Triple Chocolate Grad Party Cake
The ultimate chocolate lover’s dream! Moist chocolate cake, chocolate fudge frosting, and chocolate shavings—layered high and built to impress.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate fudge frosting
- Chocolate curls or shavings for garnish
Instructions:
1- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease three 8-inch cake pans.
2- Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3- In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, coffee, oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
4- Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
5- Divide into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
6- Let cool completely.
7- Stack and frost with rich chocolate fudge frosting.
8- Garnish with chocolate curls and top with a gold “Graduate” cake topper or sparkler candles.
