Simple Vanilla Sheet Cake (Print Version)

Moist vanilla sheet featuring smooth buttercream topped with delicate piped flowers for elegant occasions.

# What You Need:

→ Sheet Cake

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Buttercream

09 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 1/4 cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Food coloring (pink, yellow, green, or as desired)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, beating until smooth and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
10 - Divide buttercream into bowls and tint portions with food coloring for flowers and leaves.
11 - Spread a generous layer of plain buttercream over cooled cake as the base layer.
12 - Fill piping bags fitted with flower and leaf tips with colored buttercream. Pipe flowers and leaves decoratively across the cake, focusing on corners or along the edges.
13 - Optionally pipe a cross or add First Communion text with a small round tip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A tender, moist vanilla sheet cake that appeals to all ages.
  • Decorated with smooth buttercream and delicate piped flowers for a festive, elegant touch.
  • Medium difficulty allows beginner bakers to achieve beautiful results without being overwhelmed.
  • Perfect for celebrations, yielding 20 generous servings.
  • Vegetarian-friendly and classic American dessert flavor profile.
02 -
  • Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing and a tender crumb.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the cake light.
  • Grease and line the pan with parchment paper to ensure easy release.
  • Beat buttercream until very creamy and fluffy for smooth spreading.
  • Use separate piping bags with individual tips for color control and clean decorating.
  • Practice piping flowers on parchment before decorating the cake to build confidence.
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