Simple Vanilla Sheet Cake (Printable)

Moist vanilla sheet cake with smooth buttercream and floral decorations for festive occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sheet Cake

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ 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 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ¼ cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Food coloring in pink, yellow, green, or desired colors

# How To Make It:

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; do not overmix.
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 softened 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 the 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 edges for classic presentation.
13 - Optionally, pipe a cross or add First Communion text using a small round piping tip.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Perfectly moist vanilla cake that serves a crowd of 20
  • Beautiful buttercream flowers add a handmade, elegant touch
  • Customizable with food coloring to match your celebration theme
  • Can be made a day ahead for stress-free party prep
  • Medium difficulty with stunning, professional-looking results
02 -
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant, non-runny buttercream hues
  • Invest in quality piping tips—flower, leaf, and small round tips work best
  • Sift powdered sugar before adding to buttercream to avoid lumps
  • Don't overmix the cake batter; mix just until combined for a tender crumb
  • Cool the cake completely before frosting to prevent melting
  • Store decorated cake at room temperature, covered loosely to protect decorations
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