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Perfect Cap and Gown Chocolate Graduation Cake

cap and gown chocolate graduation cake - featured image
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A rich, moist chocolate cake shaped like a graduation cap and gown, perfect for celebrations. This easy-to-make cake features a fudgy center and creamy frosting with festive decoration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 to 4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons (45-60ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Black gel food coloring (optional)
  • Fondant or modeling chocolate (black and white) for decoration
  • Edible gold or silver dust (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round pans with butter and dust with flour or cocoa powder.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  3. In another bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
  5. Carefully pour in boiling water and mix slowly; batter will be thin.
  6. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
  8. Beat softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with heavy cream. Add vanilla and beat until smooth and spreadable.
  9. Reserve 1 cup of frosting and tint it black with gel food coloring for gown and cap details.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate and spread base frosting evenly on top. Add second layer and frost entire cake with base frosting. Smooth sides and top.
  11. Use black frosting to pipe or smooth gown details on cake sides. Shape cap on top using rolled black fondant or modeling chocolate. Add tassel with white fondant and brush with edible gold dust.
  12. Refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour to set frosting. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Do not skip the boiling water step to keep the cake moist and intensify chocolate flavor. Chill cake layers before frosting to avoid melting. If frosting stiffens, soften briefly in microwave. Use crumb coat to trap crumbs for a clean finish. Keep hands cool when shaping fondant to prevent stickiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cake, chocolate cake, celebration dessert, cap and gown cake, easy chocolate cake, party cake

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/perfect-cap-and-gown-chocolate-graduation-cake-recipe-for-easy-celebrations/