graduation cake for phd

50 Best Graduation Cake Ideas & Designs

Categories Dessert

Gone are the days of simplistic graduation cakes with sheet cakes iced in green or blue and adorned with a few decorations.

These days, there are endless possibilities for  graduation cake designs , from elaborate multi-tiered cakes to simple but elegant single-layer cakes.

Whether you’re looking for something classic or something quirky, there are sure to be some graduation cake ideas that are perfect for you.

Table of Contents

50 Best Graduation Cake Ideas

Here are 50 of the best graduation cake ideas to help get you started:

1. Key Lime Pie Cake

When I think about graduation cakes, the first flavor that comes to mind is key lime pie .

I love the tartness of the lime combined with the sweetness of the cake and frosting.

This flavor combo is perfect for a summer graduation party.

Plus, this type of cake is relatively easy to decorate.

Simply top it with a few key lime slices and some whipped cream, and you’re good to go!

2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Want a delicious, unique, and affordable graduation cake?

Chocolate peanut butter cake is the way to go!

This flavor combination is one of the most popular right now, and for good reason – it’s absolutely amazing.

The rich chocolate pairs perfectly with the creamy peanut butter, and the contrast of textures is simply divine.

Plus, it’s not too difficult to make, so you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen.

And best of all, it won’t break the bank.

3. Red Velvet Cake

Another flavor that you should consider is red velvet.

It has a unique flavor that will stand out among the other cakes, and it’s not too difficult to make.

The texture is also perfect – it’s dense enough to support decorations, but it’s still light and fluffy.

And the price is right – red velvet cake is less expensive than some of the other popular flavors.

4. Strawberry Shortcake

if you’re looking for something that’s both delicious and easy to make, then you should definitely consider strawberry shortcake.

The subtle sweetness of the strawberries pairs perfectly with the light and fluffy cake, and the contrast in textures is sure to please everyone.

Plus, it’s relatively simple to make so you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen.

And best of all, it’s very affordable – which is important when you’re feeding a large crowd.

5. Coconut Cake

Coconut cake is light and fluffy with a slight sweetness that comes from the coconut in both the batter and the frosting.

The flavor is reminiscent of fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies—but it’s even better than that!

The texture of this dessert is also very similar to that of a cookie:  light and flaky, with no dense or heavy feel in your mouth after you take a bite (unless you want it there!).

You can achieve this texture by using high-quality ingredients like real butter instead of margarine or vegetable shortening when making your batter and frosting—and by using real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip when making your frosting!

6. Banana Split Cake

I think you should consider making a banana split cake for your graduation party.

It’s easy to make , it’s delicious, and it’s sure to be a hit with your guests.

It’s the perfect dessert for your big day because it’s not too sweet—it has just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your guests’ cravings without being overpowering.

Plus, there are so many different flavors to choose from that everyone is guaranteed to find something they love.

You could even make an ice cream sundae bar with all sorts of toppings available so that everyone can create their own personalized dessert!

The best part about this cake is its texture:  it’s creamy but not too heavy on the stomach, which makes it perfect for celebrating the end of a long day—or week!

And if you’re looking for something more traditional, you can always serve it alongside vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup so that each person can customize their own dish according to their preferences.

7. Piña Colada Cake

If you’re looking for a graduation cake idea that will wow your grad, look no further than Piña Colada Cake.

The pineapple, coconut, and rum combination is sweet and tropical, but it’s also surprisingly easy to make.

The cake itself is a simple yellow cake, which means it can be whipped up in no time—and if you’re short on time, you can use a boxed mix!

The texture of this cake is moist and dense, making it perfect for serving as a dessert at parties or celebrations.

It has a light buttercream frosting that complements the tender cake perfectly.

8. Lemonade Cake

A graduation cake is a great way to celebrate a new beginning, and lemonade cake is the perfect choice for this celebration!

Lemonade cake is a delicious choice for any occasion, but it’s especially fitting for a graduation party—it’s bright yellow color will make your graduate feel like they’re standing in the sun, and the tartness of the lemonade will help them feel ready to tackle whatever comes next.

9. Summer Berry Cake

This cake is a perfect way to celebrate your graduation, and all of the hard work you’ve put in to get here.

The cake itself is a delicious combination of berries and cream cheese frosting.

The frosting is made with fresh berries, which gives it both an amazing texture and great flavor.

The design may look complicated, but it isn’t!

You can do this one yourself at home with just a few simple tools and some time—and that’s really what makes this cake so special.

It feeds about 20 people easily (depending on how much time you have for decorating), so invite your friends over to help make it!

Or just make a whole bunch of them:  they’re easy enough that anyone can make them—you don’t need any special skills or training!

10. Key Lime Bundt Cake

If you’re looking for a graduation cake idea that will make your guests feel like they’re in a Florida Keys cafe, try this Key Lime Bundt Cake.

It’s got a great flavor, and it’s not too difficult to make.

It’s also got a light, fluffy texture that’s perfect for summer parties and graduation celebrations.

The design is simple, but it’s really fun and eye-catching—a great way to celebrate the end of your student days while also showing off your individuality.

I love this cake because it’s easy enough that I can make it on my own, but it has such a cool design that people always say “ Wow !” when they see it.

It makes me feel like I’m a real chef!

I also love making this cake because it tastes so good at room temperature or even cold, so guests can eat as much or as little as they want throughout the party.

That way everyone gets to enjoy themselves!

11. Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

Here’s another graduation cake idea you should consider:  Hershey’s Chocolate Cake.

Because it’s delicious!

You can’t go wrong with chocolate, and this cake will be a real crowd-pleaser.

The trick is to make sure that the chocolate in your cake is high quality—you don’t want any of that artificial stuff!

And be sure to use real butter or margarine instead of shortening/vegetable oil/whatever else they might try to sell you at the store.

The texture should be light and fluffy, but not too dense (you know what I mean).

The design should be simple and elegant, but not too plain.

Don’t forget about personal touches like candles or flowers—these will add a lot of personality to the presentation! Which brings me to my next point…

This cake is best served by friends and family who love you!

If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even ask them to write something nice on the cake for you before serving it up—that way everyone gets involved in celebrating your accomplishment!

12. Raspberry Chocolate Chip Layer Cake

This cake will be a challenge for most bakers because it has several different layers that have to be baked separately—but that doesn’t mean you should write off this design!

If you’re looking for a way to stand out at your graduation party, this is definitely the way to go.

The texture of this cake will be light but dense enough to support all those layers.

Be sure not to overbake any part of the cake or else it’ll crumble under its own weight!

13. Black Forest Cake

Black forest cake is rich and chocolatey, but also light and airy.

It has a unique layer of whipped cream and cherry filling, which makes it different from other cakes and gives it a great texture.

You can’t go wrong with this one!

This cake is not too difficult to make, but it does require some time and patience.

It will definitely be worth it though!

The black forest cake’s dark coloring makes it perfect for graduation parties or any event where black is being worn as part of the dress code!

The layers of whipped cream and cherry filling also give this cake a beautiful design that will look great on display at your party or gathering.

14. Carrot Cake

I know you’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of cake you want at your graduation party.

And if you haven’t yet decided on the perfect one, there’s one that I think you should consider:  carrot cake.

• First of all, it has a great flavor —sweet and spicy with just a hint of nutmeg. It’s not too overwhelming, but it still leaves everyone feeling satisfied and happy to be part of your big day.
• Second, it’s not too difficult to make.  You don’t need any special equipment or ingredients; just some simple ingredients and some mixing bowls, and you’re good to go. Even if you’re not confident in your cooking skills or abilities yet (and who isn’t?), this is an easy way to impress everyone by whipping up something delicious!
• Thirdly (and most importantly), carrot cake has such a unique texture.  It’s soft and moist but still has that delicious crumbly crunch on top that makes it feel like dessert—even if it’s breakfast time! And best of all? It pairs perfectly with coffee or hot chocolate.

15. Cheesecake

Cheesecake is delicious and great for parties, because it’s easy to make and can be customized with lots of different flavors.

You can use any flavor of cream cheese, so if you want a chocolate or orange cheesecake, go for it!

You can also add fruit or chocolate chips to the batter if you want something extra sweet.

The texture will be smooth and creamy, which is perfect for graduation parties where there’s lots of celebrating going on.

This cake is also very easy to make.

• All you have to do is mix together your ingredients according to the recipe, pour them into a baking dish (you can use a springform pan if you want), then bake it according to instructions on the box.
• When it comes out of the oven, let it cool before adding decorations or serving it at your party!

If you’re looking for a graduation cake idea that’s both delicious and easy-to-make, cheesecake might be just right for you!

16. Rainbow Cake

This cake is not only delicious and fun, but it’s also super easy to make.

The design can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, so it’s perfect for novice bakers who are looking for a challenge!

The texture of this cake is moist and fluffy.

The flavor will remind you of your favorite pie filling—it’s sweet and tangy with just a hint of tartness.

If you prefer your desserts less sweet, try adding some lemon zest or even some salt.

The most difficult aspect of making this cake would probably be the color-mixing process (if you’re going for rainbow colors).

If that sounds like something you’d rather avoid, try mixing together different shades of white frosting instead!

I think this idea would make an excellent addition to any celebration—whether it’s a graduation party or just an ordinary Saturday night gathering with friends and family.

17. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Layer Cake

If you want to make a cake that’s sure to impress your guests, consider this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Layer Cake.

It’s a fun twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, and it’s a great way to say “ Congratulations !” on your grad’s big day.

This cake is super easy to make and has an incredible flavor.

It also has that perfect texture:  soft but not too crumbly, so it will hold up well when cut into slices.

And the design?

It can be customized based on the colors of your grad’s school and even the school mascot if you’d like!

The only tip I have for making this cake is not to forget about keeping it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it— it tastes best when cold!

18. Brown Butter Funfetti Cake

Brown Butter Funfetti Cake is everything you could want in a graduation cake:  it’s delicious, it’s easy to make, and it won’t leave a big dent in your wallet.

The flavor of this cake is rich and complex—you’ll get notes of caramel and brown sugar with every bite.

The texture is light and fluffy (thanks to the butter) but still melt-in-your-mouth tender (thanks to the eggs).

Well, let’s just say that your grads will be so excited to see this on their plate that they won’t even notice that they’re wearing their cap backward!

If you want to make this recipe even easier, consider using a homemade frosting instead of store-bought.

That way, you can use any color or flavor you like!

19. Ice Cream Cake

Ice cream cake is a great choice for your graduation cake.

The flavor is sweet and creamy, so you can be confident that everyone will love it.

It is also fairly simple to make, so you won’t have to worry about the difficulty level.

The texture of ice cream cake is soft and smooth, which makes it easy to cut and serve.

It will melt quickly when exposed to heat, but as long as you keep it cool in the fridge before serving, it should stay intact without getting messy or melting too fast.

The design options are endless!

You can choose from elaborate patterns or just leave it plain, depending on what kind of vibe you’re going for.

Just make sure that whatever design you choose won’t be too heavy on one side (like a heart-shaped pattern would be), because otherwise it might end up sinking into the cake after being transported.

20. Mississippi Mudslide Cake

This cake is made with chocolate cake, butterscotch pudding, and chocolate ganache.

It’s a moist and decadent dessert that will leave your guests feeling like they’ve just stepped foot on the chocolate-covered levees of Mississippi.

The recipe is relatively simple because it uses no special equipment or techniques.

You’ll just need to make sure that you have all of the ingredients for this recipe before you begin.

This dessert has a rich flavor and creamy texture that will be perfect for any occasion where you want to impress your guests.

This cake is best served after it has been refrigerated for at least one hour so that it has time to set up before serving.

21. Root Beer Float Cake

This cake is a fun, classic flavor with a twist—you might have to explain it to your guests, but once they try it, they’ll be hooked!

This cake is super simple to make and requires no special tools or skills.

You can even mix it up in your kitchen without any fancy equipment.

It also has a very moist texture that will keep your guests coming back for more!

Even if your guests aren’t familiar with root beer floats (think: soda + ice cream), they’ll love the rich flavor and sweet taste of this cake.

It looks great too!

If you want to really wow people at your graduation party, serve this cake with vanilla ice cream on top.

22. Tiramisu Cake

This cake is incredibly simple, but it yields a delicious, light flavor that will really please anyone who has a sweet tooth.

It’s also very easy to make—you can whip up this cake in no time at all.

And it will look great on display!

The texture?

It’s creamy and smooth—not crumbly or dry like some other cakes can be.

It looks beautiful no matter what kind of table decoration you choose.

All in all, this is a great way to celebrate your graduate’s big day!

23. Pumpkin Spice Cake

This cake is perfect for fall, but it’s also great for graduation.

It’s a little bit more challenging than other cakes you may have made in the past, but the flavor makes up for it!

This is a great opportunity to practice your piping skills—just remember to keep everything neat and tidy.

The texture of this cake will be crumbly and soft, which is perfect for cutting into slices.

You can decorate this one however you like!

A tip:  You can use any type of frosting on this cake, so go ahead and get creative!

24. Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake

This cake is a perfect example of the combination of delicious and beautiful.

It’s got a rich, dark chocolate flavor that’s balanced with a creamy mousse texture, making it the perfect dessert to celebrate your graduate’s big day.

The design of this cake is also gorgeous—it’s got a simple, elegant look that will make your graduate feel like they’re walking across the stage in style.

But what makes this cake truly special is its simplicity:  it’s not overly complicated or overly elaborate.

It just does what it’s supposed to do and does it well!

This is why I think this cake would be perfect for your graduate:  it’ll be easy for them to enjoy themselves without worrying about whether or not their fork will fall out of their hand while they’re cutting into their dessert.

And since there aren’t many moving parts on this dessert, it’ll keep everyone at the party focused on what matters most:  celebrating your grad!

25. Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake

The flavor of this cake is delicious, but not so overpowering that it will overwhelm the other parts of the cake.

It’s got a great balance—a little bit of peanut butter and chocolate, with just the right amount of sweetness.

It’s not too hard to make either!

You’ve probably got most of the ingredients in your kitchen already, and if you don’t have them, they’re easy to find at any grocery store or online.

The texture of this cake is great—the layers are moist and soft, which makes it perfect for slicing into pieces and serving.

It also tastes good when served cold!

The wow factor for this cake is high:  everyone loves peanut butter and chocolate together!

The design possibilities are endless—you could do anything from stripes to dots to polka dots to swirls…

No matter what design you choose though, it will be sure to impress your guests!

26. Cappuccino Cake

Cappuccino Cake is a delicious combination of coffee-flavored cake layers with cappuccino frosting in between them.

It’s got a rich chocolate flavor, but it’s not too sweet—it won’t leave you feeling like your teeth are going to fall out after just one bite.

The difficulty level is medium; it’s not as simple as making cupcakes or sheet cakes, but it isn’t impossible either.

See Also: 19 Frosting Ideas for Chocolate Cupcakes

The texture is decadent and velvety—you’ll feel like royalty when you bite into this cake!

The wow factor is definitely high —not only does it look like an elegant wedding cake on its own, but with decorations like sparklers or candles around the edge of each layer (and maybe even some flowers throughout), it’ll be even more impressive at your special event!

27. Chocolate Raspberry Cake

A chocolate raspberry cake would be an excellent choice for your graduation cake.

The flavor is a classic, but the berry addition will give it a unique twist.

The difficulty is moderate, so even if you’re new to baking, you’ll be able to pull this one off.

It’s also a little bit crunchy and a little bit soft—so it has some texture interest without being too complicated.

The wow factor is high:  no one expects chocolate raspberry cake, so they will be impressed when they see it on your table at the party!

The design is simple but elegant; we recommend using a simple round or square cake pan and covering the top with frosting and fresh berries before serving.

Finally, here’s a tip: make sure you use good quality chocolate!

I’ve found that Ghirardelli chocolate bars are particularly tasty when used in baking and cooking applications—they have very high cocoa content and are made with real cocoa powder instead of cheaper substitutes like soy lecithin or vegetable oil.

28. Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cake

I think you should really consider this cake for your graduation cake, because it’s delicious, it’s easy to make, and it’s sure to impress.

I love the flavor of this cake because it’s light, yet still flavorful enough to stand up to the cranberries and white chocolate .

The texture is also amazing—it’s not too dense or too fluffy.

It’s just right!

It might seem like it would be difficult to put together, but actually all you have to do is mix together the ingredients and bake them in muffin tins.

Once they’ve cooled down, you can top them with fresh cranberries and powdered sugar for a nice crunchy texture that goes great with the smoothness of the frosting.

The wow factor comes from all those little bits of cranberry throughout each bite—you can’t help but smile as you eat each bite!

And as for design… well… I would go with something simple so that people don’t spend too much time focusing on what it looks like (they’ll want to focus on how good it tastes).

And finally, here’s my tip:  add more cranberries next time!

29. S’mores Cake

For me, there is nothing more quintessentially summer than a gooey s’mores.

Roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire, then sandwiching them between two pieces of chocolate cake – it just doesn’t get any better than that!

And what could be a more appropriate way to celebrate your graduation than with a graduation cake that captures the spirit of summer?

A s’mores cake is sure to be a hit with your guests.

It’s a fun and unique twist on the traditional graduation cake, and it’s sure to please everyone’s sweet tooth.

Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make!

• You can start with a store-bought chocolate cake mix, or whip up a homemade one from scratch.
• Then, simply add in some graham cracker crumbs and miniature marshmallows.
• For the finishing touch, top your cake with a layer of melted chocolate and voila – you have a delicious s’mores cake!

So if you’re looking for a graduation cake that is both unique and delicious, then I definitely recommend giving a s’mores cake a try.

30. Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

As someone who loves both cinnamon rolls and cake, I can say with confidence that a cinnabon cinnamon roll cake would make an excellent graduation cake.

The fluffy, cinnamon-sugar infused cake would be a delicious and unique alternative to the traditional graduation cake, and it would be sure to please everyone at the party.

Not to mention, the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls would add an extra touch of sweetness to your graduation celebration.

So if you’re looking for something a little different (and incredibly delicious) for your graduation cake, consider making a cinnabon cinnamon roll cake.

You won’t be disappointed!

31. Cookies and Cream Cake

Cookies and cream is such a classic flavor combo that everyone loves.

It’s rich, chocolatey, and has the perfect amount of sweetness.

It’s also really versatile – you can use any kind of cookie in the cake, from Oreos to chocolate chip cookies.

And there are so many different ways to decorate a cookies and cream cake, from simple frosting to an elegant fondant design.

I think it would be the perfect way to celebrate your big day.

32. Snickers Bar Cake

A Snickers bar cake is not only tasty, but it also captures the essence of what graduation is all about:  coming together to celebrate your hard work and achievements.

The chocolate and caramel layers of the cake represent the ups and downs of your time in school, while the nougat filling signifies the knowledge and wisdom you have gained along the way.

And, of course, the peanuts represent the friends and family who have supported you throughout your journey.

If you’re looking for a graduation cake that is both delicious and meaningful, consider making a Snickers bar cake.

It will surely be a hit with everyone!

33. Salted Caramel Apple Cake

One of the best things about Fall is the abundance of apples.

And what better way to showcase this seasonal fruit than in a delicious and decadent cake?

A salted caramel apple cake is the perfect choice for a Fall graduation celebration.

The rich flavor of the caramel pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the apples, and the addition of salt makes for a truly unique and memorable cake.

Plus, the moist and fluffy texture of the cake is sure to please even the most discerning of palates.

So if you’re looking for a graduation cake that is sure to impress, consider making a salted caramel apple cake.

You and your guests will be glad you did.

34. Gingerbread Cake

Graduation is a special time to celebrate your achievements with family and friends.

And what better way to do that than with a delicious gingerbread cake?

Gingerbread has long been associated with special occasions, so it’s the perfect choice for your graduation cake.

Here are three reasons why you should consider making a gingerbread cake for your big day:

• Gingerbread is a classic flavor that everyone loves.
• A gingerbread cake is sure to impress your guests.
• A gingerbread cake is a great way to show your personal style.

If you’re looking for a flavorful and impressive graduation cake, be sure to consider making a gingerbread cake!

35. Chocolate Peppermint Cake

I’ll never forget my own graduation cake.

It was a chocolate peppermint cake, and it was delicious.

I’m not usually a fan of mint, but the chocolate flavor was so rich and intense that it completely won me over.

Plus, the mint frosting was the perfect balance of sweet and refreshing.

I’m sure your graduation cake will be delicious no matter what you choose, but if you’re looking for something unique, I highly recommend a chocolate peppermint cake.

36. Chocolate-Cherry Cola Cake

I am a huge fan of chocolate-cherry cola cake.

I just love the combination of flavors – the rich chocolate, the tart cherries , and the fizzy cola.

And I think it would make an amazing graduation cake!

Just imagine how impressive it would look, with its tall layers and glossy frosting.

And it would taste even better than it looks.

Trust me, your guests would be talking about this cake for months to come.

37. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake

Making a peanut butter and jelly cake for your graduation cake may seem like an odd choice, but it actually has a lot of benefits.

For one thing, it’s a very easy cake to make.

You don’t need any special skills or equipment – just a bowl, a spoon , and some ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Peanut butter and jelly cakes are also very moist and flavorful.

The combination of peanut butter and jelly is always a hit, and the cake will be sure to stand out from all the other graduation cakes.

Finally, making a peanut butter and jelly cake is a great way to show your personality.

It’s a unique cake that shows you’re not afraid to think outside the box – something that will definitely impress your friends and family.

38. Maple Walnut Cake

I also think maple walnut cake could be the a choice for your special day.

Maple walnut cake is a moist and flavorful cake that is sure to please any palate.

The rich flavor of the maple syrup pairs perfectly with the nutty taste of the walnuts, and the cream cheese frosting adds a touch of sweetness.

This cake is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.

39. Apple Pie Cake

As someone who loves both apples and cake, I think apple pie cake is the perfect graduation cake.

It’s tart and sweet, and the filling is nice and moist.

Plus, it’s easy to make.

You can use a store-bought pie crust or make your own, and the filling is simply a mixture of apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice .

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even add a streusel topping.

Whatever way you make it, apple pie cake is sure to be a hit with your guests.

40. Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding

When it comes to graduation cakes, chocolate banana bread pudding is definitely a unique option that is sure to stand out from the rest.

Not only does it look impressive, but it also tastes absolutely delicious.

The combination of rich chocolate and sweet bananas is simply irresistible.

And, best of all, it is actually quite easy to make.

41. Kentucky Blackberry Jam Cake

Kentucky Blackberry Jam Cake is such an easy flavor to work with, and it’s so delicious!

Plus, the texture is amazing, since the jam gives it a nice chewiness that makes it feel more luxurious than regular cake.

And the wow factor?

It’s off the charts!

Everyone who tries this cake loves it and wants me to make them one.

And as for design, I’ve got a few ideas:  blueberries dotted throughout the batter and around the edge of the cake; blueberries mixed into the buttercream frosting; sprinkles!

The sky’s the limit on this one!

42. Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake

This cake is delicious, but it’s also a little bit difficult to make.

The crumb topping is made with fresh strawberry and rhubarb, which means that you have to wait for them to be in season if you want the best flavor.

The texture of this cake is moist and dense, but not heavy or dry.

It’s a great choice for anyone who likes crumbly cakes (like me!) but doesn’t want something too heavy or dense.

The wow factor comes from the beautiful color of the cake itself—the bright pink color of strawberries and rhubarb really pops against all of those golden brown crumbs!

The design is simple:  just a white frosting layer on top with a few flowers scattered across it in different shades of pink (including some real flowers!).

If you don’t have time for real flowers, fake ones are fine too!

43. Zucchini Crumb Cake

Zucchini is often used in savory dishes, but the sweetness of this cake really allows the vegetable’s flavor to shine.

The difficulty level of this recipe is moderate—you’ll need to be able to measure accurately, and you’ll also need an electric mixer.

But like most baking projects, it’s not too hard if you follow the directions carefully.

For texture, this cake is moist and dense with a crumbly top.

It will definitely impress your guests!

As far as wow factor goes…  it’s pretty darn impressive.

You can customize the icing or add decorations to make it even more special.

And even though this recipe requires some advanced skill sets (measuring and using an electric mixer), it’s still fun to make!

44. Lemon Poppyseed Cake

This cake is a great choice for any grad because it’s delicious and has a lot of design potential.

It has a light and fluffy texture that makes it easy to decorate, but it also has a warm, bright flavor that feels like you’re celebrating.

The recipe is super easy to make, and the results are impressive!

The cake can be decorated with flowers or leaves for an elegant look, or with simple ribbons for a casual feel.

You can even make your own frosting instead of buying it from the store—it adds a personal touch to your dessert table.

If you’re going for something more fun than elegant (or if you just want something different!), try using some of these ideas:

• Add fresh fruit on top of each slice or use edible glitter around the edges of each piece as well as on top of some slices.
• Sprinkle crushed candy overtop.
• Create small details on each piece using cookie cutters.
• Or use food coloring to tint some parts of the frosting green so it looks like grass growing out of the top layer.

45. Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake

This cake has a lot going for it:  it’s got the perfect balance of sweet and savory, it’s easy enough to make that even a beginner baker can tackle it, and it tastes amazing!

The texture is soft and fluffy —not too dense or rich—and the flavor is sweet but not too sweet.

It’s also got a nice crunchy top crust that adds another dimension to its texture.

The design of this cake is simple:  just add some icing around the top edge of the cake and throw some sprinkles on there.

It’s not fancy by any means, but it makes an impactful statement without being too flashy or elaborate.

You can easily get away with serving this at a casual event like a graduation party without feeling like you’re making too much of an effort to impress guests.

If you’re looking for something you can whip up quickly with minimal effort, this is your cake!

46. Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a classic for a reason:  it’s delicious and fun to make.

The flavor is rich and tropical, with just a hint of caramelized sugar on top—perfect for those warm summer nights when you’re celebrating your graduation. (And let’s face it: this isn’t going to be an option in January.)

The texture is soft and tender, so if you’re looking for something with more bite or crunch, this might not be the right choice for you.

But if you want something more dessert-like than dinner-like, this is definitely worth considering.

It’s also very easy to make —so if you’re planning on whipping up a batch of these cakes yourself rather than ordering them from a bakery or restaurant, this would be a great option!

You can make one big cake or individual ones; either way, guests will love them.

47. Raspberry White Chocolate Bundt Cake

This cake is the perfect balance between sweet and tart, with a light texture that’s ideal for any celebratory occasion.

It’s also easy to make—it only requires one bowl!

This recipe has a lot of wow factor:  It’s got beautiful colors and a fun design, which will make your guests feel extra special when they see it on the table.

It’s also super versatile:  You can use different types of fruit in place of raspberries (or even add some nuts or chocolate chips) or change up the glaze by using different flavors (like almond extract instead of vanilla).

When you’re ready to try this out, here are some tips:

Make sure you grease your pan well so that nothing sticks to it when you take out your cake after cooking time; also, don’t overbake this or else it will be dry!

48. Apple Crumb Cake

The flavor of this cake is a pleasant surprise.

It’s not too sweet, and it has just enough tartness to give you that refreshing bite you’re looking for.

It’s also very soft and moist, which makes it perfect for eating with your hands—a must when it comes to graduation cakes!

This will make all your friends feel like they’re getting their own personal slice of heaven.

The texture is soft and fluffy—perfect for eating with your hands!

The wow factor is high because this cake looks so delicious that people would probably want one even if they weren’t celebrating anything special.

49. Cranberry-Orange Pound Cake

This is a great flavor to celebrate the end of your studies.

It’s a little bit more unusual than the standard chocolate or vanilla cake, which makes it fun for a graduation party.

You can even incorporate some of the oranges from your orange peel into the filling!

It’s also not too difficult to make—you just need a stand mixer or hand mixer and lots of time.

The texture is light, fluffy, and moist, with a hint of citrus from the orange zest in both the batter and filling.

It’s delicious served warm with whipped cream or ice cream on top!

The wow factor comes from how beautiful this cake looks when you slice it open:

The inside is bright yellow with flecks of orange throughout.

The outside is dark brown with a speckled pattern on top where some nuts were mixed into the batter before baking (this adds crunchy texture). It’s super delicious and visually appealing!

Design-wise, this cake works well because it doesn’t take up too much space on its own (it’s round), but you could also make it in different shapes like squares or rectangles if that works better for your event.

50. Orange Marmalade Cake

This cake is delicious, with a fresh orange flavor and a light texture that will please everyone at the party.

It’s also relatively easy to make—if you’re not a professional baker, this is the perfect recipe for you!

The wow factor of this cake comes from the design—the layers are so thick and tall that when it’s sliced open, they look like fluffy clouds.

The marmalade glaze makes them look even more like fluffy clouds floating in the sky!

If you want to make it even more impressive, try adding some crushed graham crackers to the bottom layer of batter before baking; then sprinkle some more on top when you’re serving it.

The crunchiness adds a fun texture contrast and ensures that no one leaves hungry!

50 Best Graduation Cake Ideas (With Pictures)

Ingredients   .

• Key Lime Pie Cake
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
• Red Velvet Cake
• Strawberry Shortcake
• Coconut Cake
• Banana Split Cake
• Piña Colada Cake
• Lemonade Cake
• Summer Berry Cake
• Key Lime Bundt Cake
• Hershey’s Chocolate Cake
• Raspberry Chocolate Chip Layer Cake
• Black Forest Cake
• Carrot Cake
• Rainbow Cake
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Layer Cake
• Brown Butter Funfetti Cake
• Ice Cream Cake
• Mississippi Mudslide Cake
• Root Beer Float Cake
• Tiramisu Cake
• Pumpkin Spice Cake
• Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake
• Cappuccino Cake
• Chocolate Raspberry Cake
• Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cake
• S’mores Cake
• Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake
• Cookies and Cream Cake
• Snickers Bar Cake
• Salted Caramel Apple Cake
• Gingerbread Cake
• Chocolate Peppermint Cake
• Chocolate-Cherry Cola Cake
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake
• Maple Walnut Cake
• Apple Pie Cake
• Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
• Kentucky Blackberry Jam Cake
• Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake
• Zucchini Crumb Cake
• Lemon Poppyseed Cake
• Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake
• Raspberry White Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Apple Crumb Cake
• Cranberry-Orange Pound Cake
• Orange Marmalade Cake

Instructions  

• Pick your favorite graduation cake idea from this list.
• Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe.
• Enjoy eating the cake!

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.

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25 Best Graduation Cake Ideas for Your Grad

From kindergarten and high school to college, these graduation cake ideas will help you and your family celebrate in style.

So grab your cap, gown, and cake knife, and let’s bake!

Sure, you could easily buy a cake and save some time. But homemade cakes are way more meaningful – not to mention cheaper.

And these graduation cake ideas are sure to make your graduate feel all the love.

From rustic and fruity to fancy and chocolatey, these easy cake recipes for graduation are sure to impress.

Let the celebrations commence!

20+ Easy Cakes for Graduation

1. key lime bundt cake.

This bundt cake is moist with a tender crumb and a refreshing key lime flavor . 

It’s not iced with heavy frostings like most layer cakes. Instead, it’s finished with a simple dusting of powdered sugar to balance the tartness of the lime.

Plus, that rustic ring shape makes the cake pretty without any decorations. Just what you need on a busy graduation day.

2. Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

For the picky graduate, you can’t go wrong with chocolate! I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate cake ?

This baby is undeniably moist, fudgy, and decadent, though it’s not overly rich.

Better yet, it’s lovely with or without frosting. So serve it with a drizzle of ganache and fresh fruit, or just a dollop of whipped cream.

Nice and easy, but oh-so-dreamy.

3. Rainbow Cake with Jelly Beans

This cake is for the fun-loving fresh grad who prefers something a little more vibrant.

This rainbow cake has six different-colored layers and a rainbow-colored frosting to match.

Oh, and it’s also finished with jelly beans, for good measure.

To say it’s colorful is an understatement.

4. Raspberry Chocolate Chip Layer Cake

This layer cake is studded with stunning fresh raspberries and yummy chocolate chips.

And it’s filled and frosted with a luscious chocolate buttercream you’ll want to lick from the bowl.

It’s well-balanced, light, and definitely the kind of sweet raspberry cake you can’t just have one slice of.

5. Piña Colada Cake

Layers of sponge cake infused with crushed pineapple and coconut flakes is about as tropical as it gets.

There’s also a deliciously tangy cream cheese and coconut buttercream that makes this beyond indulgent.

With all the flavors you love in a piña colada (minus the alcohol), this cake is an absolute party in your mouth.

6. Banana Cake

You’ll go bananas over this banana cake!

It’s insanely moist and tender, with a slightly crispy crust at the bottom. And as expected, the banana flavor is very much on point.

If unconventional cake recipes intrigue you, then this one’s a must-try. 

Here you’ll try unusual methods like baking at a very low temperature and freezing the cake straight from the oven. 

Feel free to throw in some mini chocolate chips. And I like this with lots of caramel drizzled over the top.

7. Blue Velvet Cake

If your graduate’s favorite color is blue, then there’s no better choice than this wild blue velvet cake.

Made with layers of vanilla-chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting in between, it’s basically a red velvet cake, but blue.

The only thing you’ll do differently is to use blue food gel instead of red to color the cake. How easy is that?

(And yes, you can make this pretty much any color you want! Just be sure to use gel coloring as it’s more potent.)

8. Strawberry Limeade Cake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

I was hooked at ‘strawberry-limeade!’ But that strawberry cream cheese frosting is a thing of beauty!

This dessert has three fluffy cake layers filled with heavenly buttercream.

It’s bright, light, colorful, zesty, and decadent. It’s a must-make for any occasion.

9. Vanilla Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

If you’re looking for an easy recipe that won’t disappoint, you just found it.

This recipe makes a vanilla-flavored cake frosted with a decadent cream cheese buttercream.

It’s simple, but it hits all the right notes.

Plus, sheet cakes are ridiculously easy to make, which is why this is one of my go-to’s when I need a quick dessert that can feed a crowd.

10. Paula Deen Strawberry Cake

This strawberry cake is soft, bouncy, and jam-packed with strawberry flavor.

Also, it’s drop-dead gorgeous! 

It’s so pretty you might find it intimidating, but wait until you see the recipe.

Believe it or not, this stunning cake is made from a doctored boxed cake mix! Thanks, Paula!

11. Fluffy & Moist Coconut Cake

Here’s another tropical treat for your coconut-loving grad.

The cake features coconut milk, coconut extract, and sweetened coconut. Needless to say, the coconut flavor is strong in this one.

But that’s not all.

You’ll also make a quick coconut and cream cheese frosting and cover the whole thing with even more sweetened shredded coconut.

I think the pure coconut flavor is out-of-this-world amazing. But if you want a little kick, try adding a layer of fruit curd .

12. Salted Caramel Toffee Crunch Cake

First of all, how fabulous does this salted caramel cake look? I made it for a birthday recently, and it was gone in the blink of an eye!

I used pre-made macarons (because I was in a rush) and also scattered over some chopped peanut butter cups for a kick of nutty goodness.

No matter how you decorate this cake, the caramel is dreamy, sweet, and to die for.

13. Homemade German Chocolate Cake

German chocolate cake has layers of rich sponge filled and covered with coconut and pecan frosting.

That filling is sweet, buttery, and wonderfully textural. It plays so well against the indulgent chocolate and makes the whole thing more complex.

Fun fact: contrary to popular belief, German cake isn’t German. Instead, it gets its name from its creator, Samuel German – an American. 

14. Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

As much as I love zesty lemon, I think the milder citrus flavor of orange is so much more pleasant.

And that pastel orange hue is just too pretty to eat – well, almost.

This cake is unique, summery, and a show-stopper with those orange slices on top.

15. Paula Deen Carrot Cake

Here’s another classic dessert that won’t let you down!

Filled with shredded carrots, this cake is outrageously tender and moist.

And no, it doesn’t taste like carrots at all. Instead, the veg just makes it insanely moist.

In fact, this carrot cake is so tender, it doesn’t need any frosting.

But if you want to make it over the top, the cream cheese and pecan buttercream is perfect for the job.

16. Hummingbird Cake

This cake combines the goodness of bananas, pineapple, coconut, caramel, cream cheese, and pecans all in one.

Talk about over the top!

It’s all the tropical flavors you can think of in one heavenly bite.

The cake is so extremely moist, it almost falls apart.

It’s also very light, so it goes wonderfully well with the heavy caramel cream cheese frosting and pecan topping.

17. Strawberry Crunch Cake

Strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream and strawberry crunch coating equals strawberry paradise.

It’s crunchy on the outside and insanely tender, moist, and creamy on the inside. 

The combo of strawberries and vanilla buttercream gives the cake just the right amount of sweetness and tartness.

You’ll fall for this fast, and I know it’ll be your new go-to cake recipe for any and all occasions.

18. Light Lemon Angel Food Cake

This angel food cake is so ridiculously light and airy, it’s as if it came straight out of heaven.

You’ll use egg whites for the batter to ensure the sponge is as light as a feather.

Infused with lemon , its flavor profile is bright, zesty, and mouthwatering.

19. Cream Puff Cake

If your graduate is into unique desserts, this cream puff cake is just what you need.

Making cream puffs (choux pastry) might sound intimidating, but I promise it’s nothing you can’t handle.

And since this is a layer cake, you don’t even need to worry about the puffs rising.

Instead, it’s sheets of pastry filled with a mixture of cream cheese and pudding, with plenty of whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top. Yum!

20. Too Much Chocolate Cake

If you need a cake for a chocoholic, I can’t think of a more fitting one than this.

This bundt cake is made from devil’s food cake mix moistened with chocolate pudding and made extra decadent with chocolate chips.

Is there really such a thing as too much chocolate? Definitely not in my book! 

21. Butterfinger Cake

Peanut butter lovers, this one’s for you.

It’s a moist and fudgy chocolate cake topped with creamy peanut butter frosting and crushed Butterfinger candies.

It might seem like it requires some baking expertise, but nope, it couldn’t be easier to make. In fact, five pantry ingredients are all it takes.

22. Starbucks Coffee Cake

This cake is for graduates who like to start their day with something sweet.

Because there’s no reason to wait until the end of the day to celebrate!

A copycat of the beloved Starbucks recipe , this cake has layers of moist buttermilk cake and cinnamon streusel.

23. Peanut Butter Cup Overload Cake

Between the three layers of decadent chocolate cake, you’ll find a thick mound of peanut butter frosting.

This cake is also drizzled with a silky chocolate ganache and garnished with chopped peanut butter cups. 

That’s the ultimate indulgence right there.

24. Tres Leches Cake with Cake Mix

When I say this cake is moist, I mean completely and undeniably moist !

Tres leches cake is a poke cake drizzled with three kinds of milk – evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. 

That’s how it gets its iconic milky flavor and ridiculously moist texture.

25. Banana Split Cake

Turn the classic ice cream into a cake! That way, you won’t have to worry about it melting.

This cake has three layers: a Graham Cracker crust, a pineapple-banana cream cheese filling, and a whipped cream topping.

It’s also garnished with cherries and chopped nuts, to boot. It’s the banana split of cakes, and it’s beyond amazing.

25 Best Graduation Cakes for Your Grad

From kindergarten to college, these graduation cake ideas will help you celebrate in style. So grab your cap, gown, and cake knife, and let’s bake!

Ingredients

Key Lime Bundt Cake

Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

Rainbow Cake with Jelly Beans

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Layer Cake

Piña Colada Cake

Banana Cake

Blue Velvet Cake

Strawberry Limeade Cake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Vanilla Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Paula Deen Strawberry Cake

Fluffy & Moist Coconut Cake

Salted Caramel Toffee Crunch Cake

Homemade German Chocolate Cake

Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Paula Deen Carrot Cake

Hummingbird Cake

Strawberry Crunch Cake

Light Lemon Angel Food Cake

Cream Puff Cake

Too Much Chocolate Cake

Butterfinger Cake

Starbucks Coffee Cake

Peanut Butter Cup Overload Cake

Tres Leches Cake with Cake Mix

Banana Split Cake

Instructions

• Select your favorite recipe.
• Organize all the required ingredients.
• Prep a delicious graduation cake recipe in 30 minutes or less!

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6 Best Graduation Cake Ideas + 3 Topper

Graduations have been celebrated since 12th century Europe, when scholars would receive their degrees from the very first universities. The word graduation stems from the Latin word for step. Find here the best graduation cake ideas and tasty alternatives.

Table of Contents

It comes as no surprise, then, that graduation cakes have surged in popularity in recent years. From elegant cakes featuring the traditional cap and certificate to quirky book-shaped cakes.

From simple bakes with elaborate pre-bought cake toppers to colorful representations of the student’s personality. We’ve put together a list of the best graduation cakes along with an easy how-to for baking a scrumptious cake at home.

The Best and Most Delicious Graduation Cake Ideas for Boys

Our male graduation cake designs are fun and feature subdued hues. Mix and match these with any other ideas in this article to create the perfect graduation cake for your boy. Or just follow our design ideas to the letter to make your Pinterest-worthy graduation cake design.

Young Versus Old Graduation Cake

Young vs old cakes are generally used for anniversaries and special birthdays, but they make great graduation cakes too.

Start by baking our basic cake recipe below and, once cooled, frosting with a buttercream of your choice. Rustic-looking buttercream added using a wide butter knife is ideal here.

Next, draw a line down the middle of your cake using sugar paste. Little red hearts down a line of red fondant look lovely, but any other color will work, too.

Finally, add a ‘Then Vs Now’ calligraphy topper to the middle back of your cake. Finish with two photos printed on sugar or wafer ‘paper’ on either side of the cake.

One should depict the graduate as a young boy, just starting kindergarten, and the other now, as a graduate. This is an emotional cake design, but so worth it.

Lego Man Graduation Cake

This fun cake is easy to make yet sure to bring a smile to the recipient’s face. Start by baking our basic recipe below and allow your cake to cool to room temperature.

Next, frost your cake in a buttercream of your choice. We prefer lighter cake colors as they’re more forgiving, but a dark chocolate cream can be just as effective. Use a cake scraper for a smooth finish, or a broad butter knife for rustic strokes.

Finally, top with a readymade miniature Lego graduate. You can have these made bespoke or, if you can’t find one, have a cardboard lego cake topper printed. Ideally, make this cake for a Lego fan and gift a new set alongside your cake.

Navy Blue and Gold Graduation Cake

This is a great cake for both boys and girls, though the colors make it quite traditionally masculine. Start by baking our basic cake recipe below.

Once your cake has cooled to room temperature, frost it using a buttercream of your choice. Roll out a large sheet of navy blue fondant and cover the entire cake, taking care to smooth away any bumps and bubbles.

Top tip: thicker fondant will show less imperfections, though it will taste sweeter, too.

Finally, finish your cake with a small mortarboard fondant cake topper and a sugar paste certificate in front of it. Spell the word ‘graduate’ in front of the topper in gold lettering.

The Best and Most Tasty Graduation Cake Ideas for Girls

Graduation cakes are universally loved by both boys and girls alike. Our feminine graduation cake ideas are just a touch more delicate and floral.

Feel free to use these to suit a boy instead or mix and match ideas from both of our design idea lists to make your perfect cake.

Floral Letter Graduation Cake

This gorgeous cake will appeal to many a girly heart, but is also really easy to make at home. You can either carve your letter from a cake baked in a rectangular tin or buy a letter-shaped cake pan.

Start by baking our basic recipe below and cool to room temperature. If you’re using a regular cake tin, lay a paper cut-out of the first initial of your graduate on the cooled cake and cut using a sharp knife.

Frost with a buttercream of your choice. You don’t need to make your buttercream look all that even, as you’ll be decorating it next.

Pipe buttercream flowers in the same color all over your ‘letter.’ You can use the same pipe nozzle for each flower or mix them up to give it the look of a bouquet. Finish with a graduate cap cake topper. If you like, write ‘Congratulations, name’ on the plate next to the cake using fondant or chocolate writing.

Pink Pearls Graduation Cake

The cutest cakes are often the simplest, and this design proves just that: bake our basic cake recipe below (or your favorite recipe) using two round tins.

Once cooled, frost between the layers and stack, then frost all over the cake. Take care to smooth the buttercream all around and on top of the cake using a cake scraper.

You may wish to color the buttercream or keep it a simple white or ivory.

Finally, add some ready made sugar pearls of different sizes evenly spaced all over the cake. You may also wish to add more at the base of the cake and gradually decrease the numbers until you reach the top, for a sort of ombre effect. Finish with a calligraphy cake topper.

Girl Graduate Silhouette Cake

Another very cute cake design that couldn’t be simpler to make: start by baking our basic cake recipe below and cool down.

Next, frost your cake using your favorite buttercream and smooth with a cake scraper. Finally, add a fondant-print out of your girl graduate.

You can get pretty cartoon-ized drawings of girls walking ‘away,’ wearing a cap and gown. Add this to the front of the cake and press down gently until none of the edges roll up.

Top tip: any printed fondant or wafer should be created by a professional unless you own a food-safe printer and food dye for it at home.

More Graduation Cake Ideas

Graduation cakes are no longer just reserved for university graduates. There are plenty of other times for which such a cake would be well-suited. Below are some of the most popular occasions for graduation cakes and simple design ideas for these.

High School Graduation Cake

For many, high school is the beginning of adult life. It therefore makes sense to celebrate your high school graduation with a fitting cake.

Cakes that represent year books are a great choice for this: either craft a cake in the shape of a book or make a simple round, frosted cake.

Add yearbook ‘messages’ all over the cake using fondant. You can make this simple cake in black and white coloring or cover it with multi-colored writing.

Nurse or Dr Graduation Cake

Any medical studies are worthy of celebrating. A graduation cake for a Dr or nurse might feature some fitting attire made from fondant, a stethoscope, or even some ‘pills’ (Tic Tacs work great for this purpose.)

White buttercream frosting works best, for a lovely clean look. This type of cake also works well with a little lookalike cake topper, depicting the new medic in their scrubs.

Kindergarten Graduation Cake

Nothing’s quite as cute as a kindergarten graduation cake, except of course the little kindergarteners themselves.

As your little one gets ready to embark on their primary school journey, make them a cake to celebrate their kindergarten graduation. Frost your cake with white buttercream and decorate it with colorful fondant crayons or letters of the alphabet. Top with a mini graduate cap and a tiny ‘diploma’ and serve.

Simple Graduation Cake Designs

The best cake designs are frequently the simplest, that’s a fact. If you’re not confident enough to produce a Pinterest-worthy cake with oodles of sugar work, don’t worry.

We have some simple tips for you to make your cake a showstopper without the fuss.

Play with different shades of buttercream: some of the simplest designs can be achieved by simply splitting your buttercream into a few different bowls.

Add varying amounts of the same color of food dye to each bowl and mix well. Frost your cake using the different ‘colors’ from dark to light as you go up the cake. Use a cake scraper for a smooth design or a broad butter knife for rustic strokes.

Buy a fancy cake topper: you can purchase a wide selection of graduation cake toppers online, including bespoke ones. Buy something pretty made from glitter card or wood and add it to your simple cake.

A nice cake topper that’s been well-made can easily elevate an otherwise bland cake design.

Use the best ingredients you can afford: half the battle, when it comes to cake baking, is using great ingredients.

If you use high-quality vanilla extract, top chocolate chips, and fresh ingredients, you’re half-way there. Next, just follow the recipe and take your time with your bake. Then you’re more than likely to create something delicious that will be enjoyed by your graduate and their guests.

The Best Graduation Cake Topper

If you’re baking a very simple cake with just a delicious buttercream, as above, you’ll probably want to decorate it with an extra special cake topper. There are a few standard designs available for graduations. The ones below are our favorites.

Graduate Cap or Mortarboard

Graduate caps (or mortarboards for looking similar to brickmason mortarboards) are the standard cake topper design for graduation cakes.

You can get simple graduate cap silhouette toppers in black or glitter card, and bespoke ones which feature the name, class, or degree of the graduate. All of these are lovely touches for your graduation cake.

Calligraphy Quote

Calligraphy quote toppers that say ‘Congratulations’, ‘Happy Graduation’, or just the name of the graduate are all great choices. You can get these in a variety of finishes from card and plastic to wood.

Gold and silver glitter toppers are very popular. You may also wish to get a cake topper featuring the class year of the graduate in a dual-tone of black and, for example, gold.

Graduate Silhouette

These are very cute, though perhaps a little more on the feminine side: graduate silhouettes feature a cute silhouette of a graduate with their cap and gown either standing, sitting, or even throwing their hands in the air in celebration.

You may wish to get this kind of cake topper made of black card and finish it with a gold calligraphy name in front of the silhouette.

Quotes & Caption for a Graduation Cake

You might be looking for the ideal message to write on your graduation cake or for a little quote or caption for a special card or social media post. We’ve collected some of the loveliest messages to choose from.

• ‘Make today your day, you’ve done it!’
• ‘On to your next adventure, name’
• ‘Believe in yourself. We’re all so proud of you!’
• ‘Congratulations name, you’ve done it!’
• ‘I wish you so much success as you continue to chase your dreams and goals. Congrats, graduate!’
• ‘Now get out there and change the world.’
• ‘May your cap fly as high as your dreams.’

Here you’ll find more quotes for graduation.

Basic Recipe for a Graduation Cake: A Simple Guide

This simple recipe for a delicious graduation cake could not be easier to make. If you take your time and follow the steps below, you’re almost guaranteed a tasty cake that is sure to impress.

You can even alter the recipe slightly to make it bespoke: for instance, you may substitute the vanilla extract for another flavor such as orange, rose, or almond.

You could add a few drops of food coloring, cocoa powder, sprinkles, or chocolate chips.

If you suffer from any food allergies or have to follow certain dietary restrictions, don’t worry: you can substitute the eggs with yogurt or aquafaba, the milk with oat or almond options, and the butter with coconut or vegan butter.

You can also replace the flour with a gluten free variety and either use less sugar or an alternative such as coconut sugar or fruit concentrate.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups self-raising flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup salted butter
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 3 medium eggs

And here’s how you do it:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F. Meanwhile, prep two 9” cake tins or one 9”x13” pan by greasing them with butter or coconut oil.
• Whisk the sugar and butter with a mixer until fluffy and slightly pale in color.
• In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until there are no more streaks.
• Gradually whisk the butter and sugar cream together with the eggs and flour until just combined and smooth.
• Pour your cake batter into the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 minutes. The center should be springy when pressed and softly browned. Top tip: use a toothpick to prick the sponge. If it comes out clean, your cake is done.

Allow your cake to fully cool to room temperature, then frost per one of our delicious graduation cake design ideas above.

Alternatives to a Graduation Cake

If you’re leaving the graduation cake to the professionals or just want to add some little extras, you’re in luck. Below are some of our favorite alternatives to graduation cake, which are sure to impress your graduate.

Elegant Black and White Graduation Cupcakes

You can craft these lovely cupcakes using our basic cake recipe, but divide the batter into 24 cupcake liners instead.

Reduce the baking time slightly and use the toothpick trick (above) to check whether your cakes are done. Once your cupcakes have cooled, hollow out a little of the tops using a teaspoon.

Fill with dark chocolate ganache. Frost generous swirls of dark and white chocolate buttercream on top of each cupcake. Finally, top each black and white graduation cupcake with a little mortarboard topper.

Graduation Cookies

You can get really creative when it comes to cookies. Start by preparing the dough for your favorite sugar cookies and roll out. Cut out a mixture of mortarboard shapes and circles.

You can get a special cookie cutter for the graduate caps online ahead of time. Ice the baked mortarboard cookies using black icing and the circles in a soft color of your choice.

Finally, decorate the circle cookies with fondant messages such as ‘congratulations’, ‘graduate’, ‘you did it’, and ‘class of …’

Graduation Cheese Board

A graduation cheese board may seem like a strange idea, but it’s really fun and surprisingly easy to do. Plus, it’s a great alternative for those who don’t love sweet treats or those who have to follow dietary restrictions.

Start by setting out a large wooden cutting board. Chop up cubes of hard cheeses and cold meats, and set aside some olives and croutons.

Spell out the word ‘GRAD’ in large letters using your prepared delicacies. Surround with more cheeses, meats, fruit, and dips.

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28 Sweet and Celebratory Graduation Cake Ideas

The Spruce _ Abbey Littlejohn

Celebrate the new grad in your life with our best graduation cake ideas. We've rounded up party-worthy cakes that will help make it a celebration to remember, from show-stopping layer cakes to rich and fudgey chocolate cakes , lighter cakes made with summer fruits, potluck-ready sheet cakes , and frozen ice cream cakes with no baking needed.

Rainbow Cake

The Spruce/Abby Mercer

When you need a showstopping cake for a party, look no further than our colorful and impressive rainbow cake . With each layer tinted a different festive hue, this gorgeous dessert always wows and entertains guests. Best of all, it doesn't require any complicated decorating skills. You just bake, stack, and frost.

Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Raspberries and chocolate are a classic flavor combination. Take advantage of fresh summer berries to make our spectacular chocolate raspberry layer cake (or swap in frozen fruit when seasonal berries are unavailable). While there are several steps to this recipe, you can prepare the cake layers, fruit filling, and frosting a day in advance, for quick assembly on the party day.

Banana Pudding Cake

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Banana pudding cake is a layered, Southern-style dessert that delivers all the feels. You kick things off with a base layer of moist and sweet banana cake, baked in a rectangular pan. This gets topped with creamy instant pudding, and then crushed vanilla wafer cookies, sliced fresh bananas, and finally, fluffy whipped cream , to deliver a fun and delicious treat for all ages.

Piña Colada Cake

Kristina Vanni

The  classic piña colada  is sweet cocktail make with rum, coconut, and pineapple. It is usually served  blended  or shaken with ice and enjoyed in the warm sun on a tropical vacation. This decadent layer cake incorporates everything you love about this classic cocktail in a sweet dessert treat.

Blue Velvet Cake

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

If you love the delicate texture and bold color of  red velvet cake , you will love this fun twist: blue velvet cake. The flavor of blue velvet cake is the same as a red velvet cake—fluffy vanilla cake with a hint of chocolate slathered in tangy  cream cheese frosting . It's easy to make a blue velvet cake from scratch with a blend of cocoa powder, vinegar, buttermilk, and bright blue food coloring. 

Texas Sheet Cake With Chocolate Frosting

The Spruce / Rachel Riesgraf

Moist and chocolately Texas sheet cake with crunchy pecans inside, and topped with a luscious chocolate frosting, is easy to assemble for a graduation potluck. It has a flavor like a fudgy chocolate brownie , but makes a statement on the buffet table. It's a great choice anytime you want to feed dessert to a crowd.

Coconut Cake With Fluffy Coconut Icing

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Our perfect coconut layer cake , frosted with fluffy coconut icing, sets the standard for coconut cakes everywhere. The scrumptious cake batter includes coconut milk, coconut oil , and shredded coconut, for a triple dose of tropical flavor. The crumb is light and tender, and the dreamy whipped frosting takes it over the top.

German Chocolate Cake

The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

German chocolate cake may sound like a European invention, but it's actually a homegrown American recipe. We use unsweetened cocoa powder (and optional espresso powder) for this rich, sweet, and surprisingly light chocolate cake with a delicious coconut-pecan filling nestling between the layers.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

Celebrate the new grad with a festive and fruity ice cream cake that is easy to slice and share. Our strawberry shortcake ice cream cake tastes just like the classic Good Humor ice cream bar, right down to the strawberry crunch crumbles on top. Freeze-dried berries are folded into both the cake batter, and the crumbly topping, for a summery, no-bake freezer cake you can whip up any time of year.

Key Lime Pound Cake

The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

You've heard of key lime pie. Now meet key lime cake. This genius recipe transforms the classic Florida pie into a moist and citrusy cake with the most delicious, zesty key lime frosting. Sour cream makes it extra moist, and a simple glaze adds fresh lime flavor and a little pizazz.

Lamington Cake

We have Australia to thank for Lamington cake , a true Down Under wonder that everyone should know about. This innovative dessert named for an Australian royal is a two-layer sponge cake with a chocolate-coconut glaze that hides a surprise inside. When you dig your fork into a slice, you are rewarded with a hidden layer of sweet and tart raspberry jam . The unusual flavor combination is too good to miss!

Hummingbird Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Hummingbird cake is always a hit at family celebrations. Originally from Jamaica, the moist and fruity triple-layer cake bursts with bright tropical flavor from pineapple and bananas, with fabulous crunch and spice from pecans and cinnamon. Topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, it is a joyous cake for special gatherings and summer parties.

Lemon Angel Food Cake

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

This cake is a  classic angel food cake  with a lemony twist. While traditional angel food cake acts as a great canvas for other flavors like  strawberry , chocolate, or peach, this cake stands all on its own with the addition of lemon. The buttery lemon glaze pairs deliciously with the cake, is visually attractive, and adds more flavor.

Upside-Down Cherry Cake

Please potluck and cookout guests with an easy and eye-catching upside-down cherry cake . You need just 15 minutes to assemble this party cake that bakes up in about an hour, so it's ideal when you are rushing. Store-bought cherry filling is an easy shortcut for creating the fruity topping, without any of the fuss and mess of pitting and cooking cherries from scratch.

Chocolate Eclair Cake

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Chocolate eclairs are a popular French pastry that require serious baking skills. We transform the bakery favorite into an easy and delicious no-bake cake that even newbie bakers can pull off. Make it the day before guests are expected, to allow plenty of time for chilling and setting in the fridge. It's a great dessert for any celebration with friends and family.

Butterfinger Cake

Delight kids and adults alike with our crazy-delicious Butterfinger cake. Inspired by the popular candy bar, it starts with a boxed devil's food cake mix, and bakes in a rectangular pan. While still warm, you poke holes in the cake, to help it soak up a decadent drizzle of caramel and sweetened condensed milk. Then you add tangy cream cheese frosting, and chopped Butterfinger candy bars, for a nice crunch and fun presentation.

Best Chocolate Bundt Cake

This chocolate Bundt cake is moist, easy, and tastes as good as it looks. The cake is super easy to make—you don't even need a mixer. All you have to do is stir or  whisk  the ingredients and bake. The glaze is just as easy as the cake—the ingredients are combined and heated until the butter melts. The cake is perfect for  chocolate lovers , and it couldn't be easier!

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

Frozen desserts are wonderful at warm weather parties, when guests want something cooling, and you don't feel like spending time babysitting a hot oven. Our delightful ice cream sandwich cake is a terrific treat for grad parties, Mother's Day, 4th of July celebrations , or any summer picnic or party. Kids can even make this no-bake icebox cake by themselves, using store-bought frozen ice cream sandwiches.

Strawberry and Cream Sponge Cake

Strawberries and freshly whipped cream are a classic dessert combination. They combine to beautiful effect in this light and luscious sponge cake that tastes like summer on a plate. It looks impressive, but is surprisingly straight-forward to bake and assemble, with fresh fruit and not too many baking ingredients.

Peanut Butter Cake With Chocolate Frosting

Serve this moist and nutty sheet cake for a graduation potluck or picnic, and see how quickly it disappears. Our homemade peanut butter cake with chocolate frosting is a great choice when you need a party-worthy cake in a hurry. You can even use store-bought frosting to make assembly that much quicker. Either way, we're sure your guests will come back for seconds, and maybe thirds.

Southern Mandarin Orange Cake

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Southern mandarin orange cake makes a pretty sight on the dessert table at any celebration. Also known as Florida sunshine cake, our easy and flavorful one-bowl recipe needs just 7 convenient ingredients, including a boxed yellow cake mix, canned mandarin orange slices, canned crushed pineapple, and instant vanilla pudding.

Cookie Dough Cake

Cookie-loving grads and guests will get a kick out of this outrageously delicious cookie dough cake . You start by making the batter for a luscious vanilla cake, and fold in miniature chocolate chips . When baked, frost the cake with buttercream, and top it with tiny balls of edible cookie dough. Then smother the entire thing with chocolate ganache, and add on more cookie dough balls for a finishing touch.

Savarin Cake

French savarin cake bursting with seasonal fresh fruits is a thing of beauty. What makes this ring-shaped cake special is the use of yeast in the cake dough. The result is a light and spongy crumb with a subtle, bready aroma that is perfect for soaking up a flavorful syrup. Top with freshly whipped cream or whipped topping, and an assortment of fresh fruits in season.

Nutella Cake Pops

The Spruce / Christine Ma

Indulgent Nutella cake pops are a festive and edible flourish for any graduation party cake. They are a great way to dress up any basic cake, including a chocolate sheet cake, and make it instantly special for a celebration. Feel free to use a boxed cake mix for this recipe, which needs just 3 other ingredients, and requires no complicated equipment — just skewers for the cake pops, and time for chilling.

Flourless Chocolate Meringue Cake

The magic of this cake goes beyond its dramatic top and rich mouthfeel. Where most chocolate cakes eat as soft on soft, this offers a chewy, crisp meringue with a fluffy, yet nutty interior that only serves to enhance the star of the show: the  flourless  cake. Serve it as is or with whipped cream and berries. It's even better the next day as all the flavors have time to marry together.

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

This gluten-free carrot cake is easy to make in just one bowl and is topped with a  classic cream cheese frosting . The taste should be similar to the wheat version with the help of plenty of spices, decadent brown sugar, and a hint of tangy buttermilk. Anyone you feed this cake will love it just as much as the wheat flour version.

Chocoflan is simply the perfect dessert. It blends the creaminess and delicacy of a flan custard with the richness of chocolate cake. It's also known as Impossible Cake, thanks to the magical way it bakes.

Classic Italian Cream Cake

The Spruce 

Despite the name, this  Italian cream cake  is a Southern specialty that is thought to have originated in Texas. This classic three-layer cake is always a hit, and it will probably bring back fond memories for many. The moist buttermilk cake is baked with pecans and coconut and then topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.

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50+ Upscale Graduation Cake Ideas For Your Big Day

Dessert , Recipes

You’ve just marched at your graduation ceremony, threw your cap into the air, and now you’re ready to party! And a big celebration like this one deserves graduation cakes as grand as you are. So check out some of the best graduation cake ideas below!

For some, graduation is a very important event and milestone in our lives. After all, it’s the culmination of many years of effort and hard work just so we can achieve our dreams. It’s a significant occasion to recognize all the successes that we, as students, have had. 

More than that, it’s also a bittersweet moment about bidding our academic lives farewell and welcoming a new, promising future. With that being said, I do believe that such a thing calls for a spectacular graduation party. You totally deserve it and it’s also one of the few moments you get to celebrate before you start college or head on to your new work.

But what is a party without a cake, right?

The days of plain graduation cakes are long gone. Don’t get me wrong, nothing’s wrong with a plain graduation cake. Sometimes simple is best. But I do believe that such a huge event in your life should be marked with a cake that matches your achievements.

Lucky for you, graduation cakes these days can be designed in an infinite number of ways , from stunning multi-tiered graduation cakes to simple yet gorgeous single-layer cakes.

I’ve curated a list here where you are likely to find some graduation cake ideas that you’re sure to love, whether you want something more extravagant or to keep it traditional.

Graduation Cake Ideas:

If you’re a little worried about your baking and piping skills in the kitchen, don’t worry! You can always just hire a professional baker and ask them to customize your ideal graduation cake for you.

Gold and black are such a classy color combination to use for your graduation cakes. It has an effortless glam and sophisticated look that’s perfect to welcome your bright future ahead as a maturing woman.

This white, gold and blue cake is utterly magical to look at! If you’re not too fond of multi-tiered graduation cakes, why not go for a tall, single-tiered cake? Add some floral accents and you’ll have yourself an enchanting cake to tie your whole party together.

Tall graduation cakes like this one really give you lots of room to get creative because of the amount of space you can insert details and ornaments on. This book-themed graduation cake is sure to be appreciated by bookworms alike.

When you’re unsure what color or theme to go with for your graduation cakes, you can never go wrong with a black-and-white theme. It’s a classic color combination and you can ask for intricate floral details and some gold ornaments. Top it off with a graduation hat cake topper and a diploma and you’re all set!

I love how elegant and sophisticated this graduation cake is! It’s so chic and modern with that subtle sparkle to the icing. And if you love the minimalistic aesthetic, this is totally for you. The macaroon toppings and gold beads also really make the whole cake so classy.

This monochrome graduation cake gives you the perfect mixture of festive and edgy with the all-black icing and gold detailing.

A classic, white cake is one of the easiest graduation cakes to decorate when it comes to looking for graduation cake ideas. There are so many options you can do with a white cake. From floral ornaments to gold foils, and so much more.

Here’s another white cake that oozes sophistication. Keep things minimal with your colors and stick with neutrals like soft gold and a pop of black with your graduation hat cake topper.

If you want something eye-catching, go for a deep-colored graduation cake like this navy blue and gold ensemble!

Multi-tiered cakes are really trendy right now and it’s really one way to make a statement at your graduation party. This white, gold and blue graduation cake is something akin to a work of art. 

This double-layered cake is utterly gorgeous. I love the simple black-and-white color scheme. It’s classy and it’s hard to go wrong with a design like this one. You can even model the sash on the cake to the one you’ll be wearing at your ceremony!

If you like the look of opulence, then this gilded graduation cake might just be the one you’re looking for! Those golden roses are totally stunning and it’s a perfect way to cherish these golden moments in your life.

Here’s another gilded graduation cake you can go for at your party. I love the look of those white roses too on the bottom layer too! They just look so fluffy, elegant, and chic.

For a unique cake that is sure to keep your guests on their toes, then you should put this one on your list of graduation cake ideas. I love the unique color-blocking and the combination of zebra stripes against the plain yellow icing.

This melted icing design on the striped, black-and-white cake is so gorgeous! The vibrant, red florals definitely tie the whole look together.

This gray, brush-stroked cake looks completely stunning against the stark white, plain icing. I love the modern design and the pops of colors from the berries. This is sure to make your party a whole lot chicer!

If you love roses and their look of them, what better way to design your graduation cake than after your favorite flower? The deep, red color of the petals looks so gorgeous!

Pink, white, and gold is the color combination for your graduation cake if you want something soft, feminine, and elegant.

This all-white graduation cake is absolutely stunning! If you don’t want to put a lot of color on your icing, then this is certainly a cake you should consider. The dainty beads and pearls along with the floral pipings give this cake such a nice sparkle too!

This multi-tiered cake is so pretty! The pink and white florals, macaroons, and gold foils give this sweet delight such a delicate touch at your grad party.

If you want a cake that’s all black with dainty geometric patterns, you should check this one out! Top it off with a unique, golden ornament along with your graduation cap cake topper to match your graduation party.

I love how whimsical this pink and white graduation cake looks! The florals and the green accents give this such a cute, cottagecore look.

Make your cake match your glam-chic graduation party. What’s more, the neutral colors will easily fit any party theme too! It’s stylish and really trendy!

To create stunning contrasts with your graduation cake, you can use this white and blue color scheme with some gold accents. You can even turn this into an under-the-sea-themed cake that’s perfect for any summer graduation party!

Here’s another gorgeous contrast of light and dark colors for your graduation cake. I love how the bottom part has a deeper and busier design while the top is left almost bare, apart from the cake toppings.

If you’re looking to bake your own cake but want to try something easy for your graduation party, this is one design you can definitely practice on! It’s chic with the white and gold theme, then just add some flowers for more color.

This design is so cute and girly! For those who thought you can’t be both smart and love the color pink, this cake and your achievements will surely prove them wrong!

For a cake that fits royalty, this is the one for you! Both dainty and large floral patterns adorn this cake with golden accents.

Black and pink look so good together. It’s so fun and flirty! And the bright pink against the black, lacy patterns create such a stunning contrast fit for an edgy princess!

If black and pink are a bit too much for you, white and pink are always a great color combination to make a pretty graduation cake. A melting pattern around the cake with some gorgeous piping and graduation-themed toppings would really add an elegant look to your graduation party.

This graduation cake is so gorgeous and classy! It’s utterly perfect for girls who love high-end brands and a glamorous life.

Tall, layered cakes are so trendy right now. And the number of ways you can decorate them is practically endless. But if you want to go on a classic route, this black-and-white theme with gold accents would be ideal for you.

This pink, minimalistic cake is so stunning! I love the simplicity and how gorgeous the piping is around the cake. Add a graduation cap cake topper and you’re ready to party!

But if you don’t like the minimalistic theme, you can always opt for a design similar to this one! Place pearls and flowers all over your cake to give it a classy feel.

For those who prefer a classier look on their cake, this yummy chocolate cake is for you. I can only imagine how decadent this would be in each bite!

I love this combination of red, white, and gold! Add a bow to your graduation cake along with other graduation-themed toppings and you might just recreate this gorgeous cake at your party!

Chocolate lovers are surely going to be delighted to have a graduation cake exactly like this at their party! You can even opt to add your favorite chocolate brands as your cake’s toppings.

This city skyline-themed cake is so cute and fun to look at! I love the color-blocking moment of the white and the purple and black. It gives such an eclectic vibe!

Is green your favorite color? Then you might love this gorgeous white and green graduation cake! Even better if green is your school’s color.

Here’s another green-themed graduation cake with a more whimsical design than the last one. This is so cuter and you can put all your favorite green snacks as decoration.

Without a doubt, black and white is definitely one of the most popular graduation cake colors. If you want to get in with the trend, here’s another design you might like from this list.

If you love geometric patterns and florals, why not get the best of both worlds and combine them for your graduation cake? Honestly, I didn’t expect both patterns to look so good together!

Here’s my favorite chocolate cake design on this list. It’s so cute and I love the monochrome brown look!

For a gilded graduation cake, you’re certainly going to love this one! The gold accents against the pink icing look utterly stunning. You can personalize this cake even more by adding your name as a cake topper.

Red velvet is one of the most popular cake flavors around and if you want the outside to match the inside, here’s a cake design you might want to try out for your graduation party.

Simple yet classy, this white and gold cake is perfect for those who don’t want a lot of fuss around their graduation cakes. 

If you love high-end brands or perhaps you’re dreaming of working for these luxury companies in the future, why not manifest it on your graduation cake?

Out of all the black, white, and gold cakes on this list, this is my absolute favorite. The round ornaments give such a nice, classy look to the minimalistic cake. 

For a graduation cake that’s full of fun, you might want to give this a look! The cute, celebratory silhouette patterns really add a festive feel to this cake.

Here’s another favorite of mine out of all these graduation cakes. The minimalistic white cake along with that gorgeous bow and graduation cap is utterly beautiful! This is so perfect if your party is a little more on the formal side.

Another way to make your black and white graduation cake interesting is by adding some pretty, lacy patterns around each tier.

This muted, soft pink graduation cake is so beautiful! The dainty and delicate white details and patterns just make this cake look even more feminine and elegant.

One way to decorate your graduation cakes is by using your school colors. Show off your school pride during your graduation party!

The combination of designs and patterns on this cake is so cute! If you can’t settle on just one, why not add all of them?

I love the beautiful contrast of red and white on this cake. It looks so gorgeous and moody. Perfect for those who want grown-up and classy graduation cakes for their party.

30 Graduation Cake Ideas to Celebrate Your Newest Graduate

From simple to stunning, these cakes will make the party memorable!

For that last one you might want to bake them a cake they'll remember. It's far better than just picking up a sheet cake from the store. To help you choose, we've put together 30 of our favorite cakes that are perfect for graduation. They've all got just the right level of fancy and not-too-difficult so you can impress your graduate with a day they'll remember.

Coconut Angel Cake

This elegant, airy cake covered in toasted coconut shavings is a great way to welcome your favorite grad into adulthood. Serve it with oatmeal cream pies and strong coffee.

Get the recipe for Coconut Angel Cake .

Coconut Cream Gingham Cake

Celebrate a graduation country-style by dressing the cake up in its Sunday best!

Get the recipe for Coconut Cream Gingham Cake .

Buttermilk-Lime Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting

We love a spring graduation, when everything is outdoors, the air smells fresh, and you can smell the lilacs in bloom. These beautiful cupcakes will make you feel like you can taste 'em, too!

Get the recipe for Buttermilk-Lime Cupcakes .

Two-Tiered White Velvet Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This flower-covered cake is so pretty it's like a bouquet that you can eat!

Get the recipe for Two-Tiered White Velvet Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting .

Speckled Malted Coconut Cake

Spring is prime graduation time, of course, and this stunningly speckled cake makes a celebratory nod to the season.

Get the recipe for Speckled Malted Coconut Cake .

Strawberry Limeade Cake

Is your favorite grad a fan of strawberries? This bright, light cake will soon be their fave!

Get the recipe for Strawberry Limeade Cake .

Dolly's Donut Coconut Bundt Cake

Whether your grad's a country fan, a donut fan, or both, this gooey chocolate-filled bundt is beautiful and tasty!

Get the recipe for Dolly's Donut Coconut Bundt Cake .

Lemon-Rosemary Tea Bread

Pair this delicately flavored cake with your favorite Earl Grey or English Breakfast for an elegantly simple High Tea–style graduation.

Get the recipe for Lemon-Rosemary Tea Bread .

Raspberry Pink Velvet Cake

The tender crumb of this delicious velvet cake pairs very well with the tart flavor of fresh raspberries.

Get the recipe for Raspberry Pink Velvet Cake .

Vanilla Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Cinnamon Filling

Make this classic sheet cake for the graduate who likes to go old-school.

Get the recipe for Vanilla Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Cinnamon Filling .

Toffee Crunch Cake

This crowd-pleaser is sure to be snapped up by everyone at the party. Don't skimp on the crushed toffee topping!

Get the recipe for Toffee Crunch Cake .

Orange Chiffon Cake

Light and fluffy, a chiffon cake is well worth the effort. This sweet-tart version pairs well with homemade buttermilk ice cream!

Get the recipe for Orange Chiffon Cake .

Chocolate Chip Cake with Candied Pretzels

Think of this delicious dessert like chocolate chip ice cream, but in cake form. Encircling the confection with candied pretzels is an easy cake-decorating trick with impressive results. Tint the candy coating for the pretzels in your grad's favorite colors—or go with her or his school colors!

Get the recipe for Chocolate Chip Cake with Candied Pretzels .

Orange Blossom Bundt Cake

As smart looking as it is delicious, this gorgeous bundt gets an A+ across the board for presentation, ease, and flavor!

Get the recipe for Orange Blossom Bundt Cake .

Rich Chocolate Layer Cake

If you're running low on time, not to worry! This recipe takes a basic box cake mix and—with a few simple, easy ideas for upgrades—makes it celebration-worthy!

Get the recipe for Rich Chocolate Layer Cake .

Salted-Caramel Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Here's a beautiful cake for a grad who's not a fan of frosting, but who loves tropical flavors. The rich, roasted flavors of the caramel and the hint of salt will have guests begging for the recipe.

Get the recipe for Salted-Caramel Pineapple Upside-Down Cake .

Banana-Caramel Cake

Another great way to use caramel, this cake is like the black-tie version of banana bread!

Get the recipe for Banana-Caramel Cake .

Coconut-Rum Cake

Serve a slice of this rummy coconut cake to your favorite college grad!

Get the recipe for Coconut-Rum Cake .

Praline Turtle Cake

Packed with pecans, caramel, and a fudgy topping, every bite of this rich cake is an absolute celebration.

Get the recipe for Praline Turtle Cake .

Chocolate Whipped Cream Cake

Anisette liqueur helps give this light cake some depth and flavor, as well as keeping the crumb moist!

Get the recipe for Chocolate Whipped Cream Cake .

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Phd Graduation Cake

This cake was made for a Ph.D. graduation party. The graduate didn't wear a traditional, square mortar board, but instead wore an 8 sided tam. The cap in the photo was made to look like the tam he wore, and is edible. German chocolate cake covered with ganache and fondant.

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21 Best Graduation Cake Ideas to Congratulate the Class of 2024

A diploma is even better with a slice of cake.

Ahead, you'll find all different types of cake for any style of graduation party . Hosting a backyard barbecue ? You can't go wrong with a refreshing ice cream cake or a piña colada cake with cherries on top! How about a cake that's fit for a crowd? Ree Drummond's chocolate sheet cake will take care of that! Of course, there are over-the-top trifles , cakes with fun sprinkles, and plenty of cakes that younger kids will love, too. Everyone is a fan of a homemade cookie cake! You can even get creative in decorating your cake with frosting in your school's colors. Serve it up alongside Ree's graduation cap brownie bites and an array of graduation party foods , and you'll have diploma-worthy celebration that's as memorable as it is sweet.

Piña Colada Cake

Now that school's out, it's time for a vacation—even if it's just in your own backyard! And this cake will bring all the tropical vibes with its fruity pineapple and coconut flavor. Top it off with some cherries, lime zest, and coconut chips. The mini umbrellas are optional but fun for decorating!

Get the Piña Colada Cake recipe .

Strawberry Icebox Cake

This no-bake cake can be made the night before and served straight from the fridge, so you'll have more time to spend with your favorite grad before they move on to the next phase in life. (Cue the tears!) It's cool, creamy, and loaded with berries.

Get the Strawberry Icebox Cake recipe .

Cookie Cake

This cake-sized chocolate chip cookie is big enough for all your guests. Top it with fluffy chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles, or get creative with your grad's school colors. Either way, it's sure to be a hit!

Get the Cookie Cake recipe .

Coca-Cola Cake

This rich, chocolaty cake gets a little extra rise and a subtle caramel flavor from the addition of coca-cola. The chocolate glaze is the perfect canvas for adding any color sprinkles or decoration.

Get the Coca-Cola Cake recipe .

Red, White, and Blue Trifle

A trifle is the perfect type of cake for effortless entertaining. It looks impressive, but it's really just layers of store-bought pound cake, berries, and whipped cream!

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This bright, lemony cake just screams springtime! A few drops of yellow food coloring in the lemon cream cheese frosting will help guests know what they're getting.

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German Chocolate Cake

If you're looking to earn top honors from your friends and family, just make this extra-special German chocolate cake! The creamy coconut-pecan filling, chocolate cake layers, and chocolate Swiss buttercream are all worthy of straight A's.

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Ice Cream Cake

Now that the weather is heating up, you can skip turning on the oven by making an ice cream cake that's worthy of a celebration! You can even customize each layer with your grad's favorite ice cream flavors.

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Hummingbird Cake

This classic cake is sweet and comforting with its warm cinnamon spice and chopped pecans for crunch. Plus, the cream cheese frosting is always a hit!

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Chocolate Sheet Cake

No Drummond family celebration would be complete with this chocolate cake that's fit for a crowd. Ree says it's "absolutely, without a doubt, the best chocolate sheet cake ever."

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Carrot Cake Trifle

This is a fun idea for taking a nostalgic, childhood favorite cake and turning it into something totally brand new! You'll love the swoops of whipped cream cheese topping, decadent pudding, and crushed speculoos cookies along with the cubes of spiced carrot cake.

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Blackberry Cobbler Cake

Even more intimate gatherings deserve to be celebrated with cake! This blackberry cake with a crunchy, sugar-coated topping is a simple way to say, "congrats!"

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Coffee-Toffee Crunch Cake

Instant coffee in both the cake and the frosting make this beautiful dessert buzzing with flavor (and caffeine). If that weren't enough, crushed chocolate-covered toffee bars give the cake a fun, sweet crunch.

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This retro dessert is making a comeback and it's easy to see why! The cake itself is super moist and pretty with its swirls of color. Plus, the white chocolate whipped cream is the perfect finishing touch.

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Chocolate Bundt Cake

Dress up a simple chocolate bundt cake by adding a devilishly decadent chocolate glaze along with fun silver and gold sprinkles. It looks and tastes like a celebration!

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Blueberry Cheesecake

This creamy cheesecake starts with a buttery graham cracker crust and ends with a juicy layer of blueberry sauce. Sprinkled throughout are pops of fresh blueberries!

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Mini Bundt Cakes

These adorable mini cakes will have everyone reaching for seconds! There are three different glazes to make the assortment more fun: blackberry, dark chocolate-sea salt, and maple-whiskey.

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Ice Cream Icebox Cake

This slice-able cake is a great way to doctor up store-bought vanilla ice cream. It's swirled with blackberry preserves and homemade lemon curd, then layered with crushed gingersnaps to form a beautiful cake.

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Coconut Layer Cake

This recipe isn't shy with the coconut flavor. It's evident in both the cake layers and the frosting. Not to mention the sweetened shredded coconut for decoration!

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Key Lime Cakes in a Jar

Whether you're celebrating with a picnic in the park or a neighborhood potluck, these adorable jarred cakes are just as impressive as any big cake recipe. They're packed with key lime flavor and macadamia nuts for crunch.

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25 Creative Graduation Cake Ideas and Designs

Find 25 creative graduation cake ideas and designs that are the perfect way to celebrate the end of high school, college, university and more! Throwing a great graduation party means honoring the new graduate’s achievements. Celebrating a graduation party on a custom theme is becoming a hot trend and finding the best party decor and tasty treats is also an interesting affair. Are you sorting out the best cakes for the party? These 25 best graduation cake ideas will share dozens of unique and impressive cake designs and also make great inspirations.

From architecture graduation cakes to doctor graduation cakes to lawyer graduation cakes, these 25 creative graduation cake ideas will cover all sorts of unique and popular cake designs. These graduation cake ideas will allow you to play creatively with the fondant to make the custom cake details. Moreover, you will get grad cake ideas for floral, marbleized, and fruity graduation cakes, sure to be the big show stoppers at the entire party.

However, you will find separate graduation cake designs for him and here graduations and the kindergartens, high school, college, M.Sc and Ph.D. graduation cakes. You can also use custom paper cutouts, Cricut vinyl, fondant letters, and other decor to fancy these graduation cake ideas.

Adding graduation hats and diplomas to these cakes will make the grad cake design purposeful. You can make these best graduation cake ideas even with beginner bakery and cake-making skills.

1. Unique Architecture Graduation Cake

Celebrating the big day of the newly graduated calls for a big party. So, are you sorting out the best ideas for the graduation party cakes? Duplicate this given graduation cake that features the graduation architecture and the pencil and other architecture tools. Here the cake is also made in white, black and golden colors and will be a great addition to your party dessert table. The graduation architecture-themed cake will surely be big fun and impress with its festive appeal.

2. Creative Doctor Graduation Cake Ideas

Depending on the graduate degrees and diplomas, you can make custom graduation cakes at home. Get inspired by this doctor graduation cake that will inspire the doctor graduates to achieve higher degrees. The cake comes with a graduation hat top layer, appears with a folded diploma and stethoscope, and will tell the audience about the education and diplomas of the graduates. At the same time, the cake will be easier to make and bring tons of visual attractiveness to the targeted party table. At the same time, the cake plate also appears with the doctor’s name.

3. Black And Gold Graduation Cake

You can go with the desired colors while making a cake for the graduation party. Repeat this black and gold graduation cake that looks fabulous in black, gold and white colors. It comes with a white diploma, white rose flower, black diploma hat, black bottom cake layer, and golden dripping down pattern. Use the fondant and cream to make the name tag for the cake that you can add to the front side of the cake, and write custom letters on the cake plate for saying congrats.

4. DIY Graduation Cake Design For Guys

Sorting out the best graduation party cakes that will rock for both male and female graduates? Then duplicate this graduation cake made for the guys, and it looks amazing with the pink and white flowers. The addition of the gold creates a posh appeal of the entire cake, and don’t forget to add the diploma and graduation hat on the top layer of the cake. One of the best and beautifully jeweled graduation cakes that the entire party crowd will appreciate. However, the cake will be easier to make also.

5. Congratulation Graduation Cake

Want to congratulate a newly graduation in the family by throwing a great grad party? Then here is the cake design to choose for the party and it will be loved dearly by all. The cake comes with two layers and features gold, bright yellow, red and black colors. The big congratulation tag or banner, the graduation top hat layer and the other details make this cake look super impressive, and it will not take that too long to make it. However, you can vary the colors to match the party décor colors.

6. Pretty Navy Blue Graduation Cake

Pay some great tributes to the big accomplishment of the newly graduated person in the family by making this graduation cake. It will be a great addition to an entire graduation party and create a big focal point on the dessert table. The cake appears in black, white, blue and golden colors and looks pretty awesome and royal. It will honor all the graduates and not be a big hassle to make right in your kitchen. You can easily get crafty with the fondant and food colors to make the graduation cake details. Also, make the fondant letters to write the “congrats” and the graduate’s name.

7. Best PhD Graduation Themed Cake

See this one of the best graduation cake ideas to make for the Grad party. This grad cake is made for the PhD graduates and is unique and graduation-specific. The bottom layer of the cake is made in a book shape, while the top layer comes with a graduation fondant hat and a fondant congratulation banner. Moreover, the cake also comes with a cute little character sitting on the cake holding the diploma and wearing the graduation hat, sure to honor the graduated person. Don’t forget to write the person’s name on the bottom book layer of the cake.

8. Lawyer Themed Graduation Cake Ideas

You can simply make various graduation cakes for the different graduation degrees. Win the heart of the lawyer graduates with this very special cake design, totally inspired by the law. The cake comes with a claw hammer, law balance scale, diploma hat, and the diploma added to its top. The rest of the cake features the name banner, LAW letters, and more. The whole cake is inspired by the law book and will get appreciated by all the lawyers for sure.

9. Elegant Nurse Graduation Cake

Are you willing to make the best graduation party cake for a nurse-themed graduation party? Then surprise the newly graduated nurse with this nurse graduation cake that enchants with the fine details. To bring the nursing theme to the entire cake, add the injection, tablets and stethoscope to the cake, as you can see. The cake will be loved dearly by all the homey persons and will also be a total breeze to whip up. If you have ever gone through cake making, then making this cake will be a piece of cake.

10. Butter Cream Graduation Cake Design

Take your graduation party fun to the next level with this buttercream graduation cake design, something highly impressive to look at. The cake’s design is made with buttercream, and it features enchanting colors that will be loved dearly by all the party fans. Along with a red base, the cake also features red roses and comes with the diploma and graduation hat on the top. The addition of hearts and name letters makes this graduation cake more impressive and beautiful. However, you can also remove the graduation details to use this cake for Valentine’s Day party.

11. Boho Graduation Floral Cake – Grad Cake

Do you love the bohemian style by heart? Then you will surely fall in love with this boho cake made for a graduation party, and will be a total ease to whip up. The cake also features lovely creamy white flowers, a brilliant golden sign, and other custom design patterns. The name and graduation hat cake topper make the entire cake look extra beautiful and bohemian-inspired. Add lots of other decor and details to fancy up this graduation cake more, and everyone will fall in love with it.

12. Simple Graduation Cake – Grad Cake

You will fall for this another graduation cake featuring golden and white colors with a little mix of red. The most interesting part of the cake is the floral bottom layer, while the center layer is made white with white pearl boundaries all around. Finally, the graduation hat is added as the top layer, while the diploma is added to the sides of the cake. One of the best and quick-to-make graduation cakes that even a beginner can make with quite ease. You can make this cake in your own beautiful colors to match the rest of the party color scheme.

13. Cool Graduation Cake For Girls

Looking for a girlish graduation cake design? Make this cool graduation cake for girls, and it will be a total pleasure to make at home, even using beginner bakery skills. Here the cake comes with 2 girls sitting on the cake that you can easily make with the fondant, and they are also holding the flower bouquets to congratulate the targeted person. Don’t forget to make the fondant flowers and congrats letters that will take the entire grace of the cake to peak level for sure. One of the best graduation cake designs that everyone will love to duplicate.

14. Kindergarten Graduation Cake

The graduation cakes are always something that makes the targeted person feel special. Get inspired by this great kindergarten graduation cake featuring lots of colored pencils, alphabets, a graduation hat, and a diploma. Don’t forget to add the custom quotes or letters saying a big thanks to the targeted person. You can play well with the fondant and food colors to make every cake detail. The project is easier to complete and requires some beginner skills to whip up this graduation cake.

15. Cool Girl Graduation Cake Ideas

You can make custom changes to the cake when making them for the female or male graduates. Duplicate this super cool girl graduation cake design that wins the heart. Get creative with the fondant, paper cutouts to easily complete this graduation cake, will never get out of style. This cake features black, white, yellow and red colors here, and everyone will praise this superb graduation cake. The project is easier to complete and will make bigger changes in the party environments. You have the freedom to make this cake in any combination of colors.

16. So Sweet Graduation Party Cake

Duplicate this another fruity version of the grad cake that features books, a graduation hat, a diploma and lots of barries on the top. Here the cake is made in black and red colors and appears with a little mix of gold for an extra brilliant appeal. So, say congrats to a newly graduated person in a sweet way with this graduation cake and all beginners will love to make it. You need beginner bakery skills to easily whip up this graduation cake, sure to surprise all the guests and kids.

17. Awesome UA Graduation Cake

Get your cake-making skills praised with this another awesome graduation cake, the UA graduation cake. The entire cake comes in red, white and blue colors and is a beautiful 2 layer cake that will get praised by the entire party crowd. Use the custom details and decorations to fancy up his cake more. Also, add custom banners or letters saying congrats to the graduated person in a fun way. You can easily use the fondant layers and food coloring to whip up all the graduation cake details. Another great graduation cake idea that everyone will fall in love with.

18. Small Graduation Cap Cake

Try to make this another graduation cake that appears with a graduation cap and a diploma. Moreover, the cake also features the ruler and some geometrical tools and will work great for the architecture. Use custom fondant letters to write down the congratulation on the cake. So, everyone will fall in love with this unique yet impressive graduation cake design. The cake comes in a lovely blue color and will rock for the male graduates.

19. Cute Pink Graduation Cake

This cake is cute like your daughter or baby girl, and it also appears in a fantastic girlish color. The cake is decorated with pink flowers and a congratulation banner that tells the name of the person also. The cake also features the graduation hat, the graduated girl’s face, and the brilliant graduated hat and everyone will admire this extra brilliant fondant cake. You can easily put together the fondant layers to make gorgeous pink roses. The cake makes a great handmade gift and is easy to make right in your kitchen.

20. High School Graduation Cake

Sorting out the best cake for the high school graduate? Then make this extra brilliant WJ graduation cake appear in the respective colors like blue, bright yellow and creamy white and look totally out of the ordinary. If you are handy at cutting and layering the fondant. Then you can easily make the graduation cake details like the graduation hat, WJ front logo, and the custom blue and yellow stripes that come all along with the cake. One of the best and quick-to-make graduation cakes that will surely impress the entire party crowd.

21. Chocolate Chip Graduation Cookie Cake

Just grab the custom graduation-inspired decor and items, put them all around a cake, and make a brilliant graduation party cake that will grab the attention of all the party guests and onlookers. Here the graduation hat, star-shaped, and baby shoe cookies are used to whip up this outstanding graduation cake, sure to get praised by all. You can easily use the respective cookie cutters to make this extra beautiful yet impressive graduation cake.

22. Decorated Marble Graduation Cake

Duplicate this another beautiful marble graduation cake, sure to be the one-of-a-kind graduation party cake ever. The addition of the graduation hat top layer is a beautiful feature of this cake that tells the audience about the purpose of the celebration sweetly. You can mix your favorite colors for this marbled cake effect to match the party color scheme and decor. Write down the custom letters on the cake plate saying congrats to the newly graduated person. The cake will rock for both male and female graduates.

23. Custom Graduation Cake Decorating Ideas

Look at this beautiful and custom graduation cake made for the kids and is something super cute to look at. Here is a Doraemon graduation cake that will rock for the little kids and is something cute and lovely to look at. The cake comes in white and blue colors and features the paper cutouts of the Doraemon characters, and everyone’s kids will love looking at this cake. Do make a top banner saying the name of the graduate, and the congrats.

24. Creative Dentist Graduation Cake

Depending on the subjects of the graduates, you can make a variety of graduation cakes like a pro. Get inspiration from this graduation cake with a mask in front and the graduation hat top layer, and you will also love making this graduation cake. You can easily mix the colors in the white fondant to make the mask, tongue, and other cake details. The whole project will be easier to complete and a great addition to one’s dessert table. One of the best graduation cake ideas ever.

25. Cake Decoration for Graduation

Duplicate this another graduation cake that features white, black and golden colors and comes with the name and congrats letters to honor the graduated person. The cake also features tassels, polka dots and a graduation hat on top as interesting features. The cake will be a great addition to one’s dessert table and rock the entire graduation party. Choose your favorite cake plates or cake stands to easily complete this grad cake, which is sure to be a big dessert table centerpiece. 

Related DIY Ideas to Try

DIY Graduation Gifts – Graduation parties are a huge part of the celebration, but who has the time to spend several hundred dollars on gifts? Give your graduates inexpensive DIY graduation gifts that are easy to make at home and they can cherish and use all year.

DIY Pallet Backdrop – Is your graduation party headed outdoors? Check out these DIY pallet backdrop ideas to get a rustic and well-decorated look that is sure to impress.

Diaper Cake Ideas for Baby Showers – When it comes to baby showers, there’s nothing better than a beautifully decorated diaper cake. Find these 30 unique diaper cake ideas that will show you how to make a diaper cake. Each is personalized with your baby’s name, gender, and favorite color for any mom-to-be.

DIY Baby Shower Gifts Ideas – From unique baby shower gifts to cute party favors, we’ve put together a list of DIY baby shower gift ideas that can be customized to your liking.

Unique Cake Designs and Cake Decorating Ideas

Gender Reveal Cake – For the expecting parents who want to add a little suspense to their big day, a gender reveal cake is the perfect way to do it! Check out these unique gender reveal cakes for some inspiration !

Harry Potter Cake – For all the Harry Potter fanatics out there, check out these Harry Potter cake ideas that would be perfect for a birthday party!

50th Birthday Cake – Looking for something special to make for a 50th birthday? Check out these incredible 50th birthday cake ideas !

Minecraft Themed Cake – Minecraft lovers will adore these fun and creative Minecraft cake ideas – perfect for any occasion!

Dinosaur Cake – Dinosaur lovers will go crazy for these amazing dinosaur cake ideas !

Mermaid Cake – Make a beautiful cake with these gorgeous mermaid cakes ! Perfect for any birthday party or event.

Conclusion:

The graduation season is reached, and now is the time to celebrate the graduation parties. So, these creative graduation cake ideas will provide you with a wide range of cake designs to choose from, and they are all made on the graduation theme. They will surely make everyone feel extra special and will be a total breeze to make also. From simple to little detailed to graduation cakes with extra detailing, you will get creative and unique graduation cake ideas for all. You will have so many grad cake ideas about making the best graduation cake at home without getting a bit expensive at the end of the list.

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What to write on cake for graduation?

What to Write on a Cake for Graduation: Tips and Ideas

Choosing the Perfect Message

When it comes to decorating a graduation cake, choosing the perfect message is key. Whether you’re celebrating a high school, college, or post-graduation achievement, the message on the cake should reflect the graduate’s personality and accomplishments. It’s important to keep the message unique and personal, avoiding cliché sayings that might not resonate with the individual. Consider inside jokes, future plans, or words of encouragement that will make the cake extra special.

Personalized Messages

One popular idea for a graduation cake is to include a personalized message that represents the graduate’s journey. This could be a favorite quote, a reference to a memorable experience during their time in school, or an inspirational message for their future endeavors. By personalizing the message, you can ensure that the cake reflects the graduate’s unique personality and achievements in a meaningful way.

Adding Humor

Another fun option is to add a touch of humor to the cake’s message. Whether it’s a witty pun, a playful reference to the trials and tribulations of school, or a humorous nod to the next steps in the graduate’s life, injecting some humor into the cake’s message can make for a lighthearted and enjoyable celebration.

Meaningful Quotes and Sayings

Incorporating meaningful quotes and sayings on the cake is a classic way to convey congratulations and well wishes to the graduate. Whether it’s a famous quote from a historical figure, a line from a favorite poem, or a sentimental saying, a well-chosen quote can add depth and significance to the cake and the celebration.

What are some classic graduation cake messages?

Classic graduation cake messages include “Congrats Graduate,” “You Did It,” “Here’s to the Future,” and “Bravo!” These simple messages are timeless and can be personalized with the graduate’s name for an extra touch.

How can I incorporate the graduate’s future plans into the cake message?

You can incorporate the graduate’s future plans into the cake message by including phrases like “Future [Career Title],” “Adventure Awaits,” or “The Next Chapter Begins.” This showcases the graduate’s aspirations and celebrates their future endeavors.

What are some popular graduation cake designs to pair with the message?

Popular graduation cake designs include a cap and gown, diploma, book, or scroll. You can also opt for a cake in the graduate’s school colors or with a design that reflects their chosen field of study.

How can I ensure the cake message is personal and meaningful?

To ensure the cake message is personal and meaningful, consider the graduate’s personality, achievements, and future plans. Incorporate inside jokes, memorable experiences, or inspirational quotes that resonate with the graduate to make the message truly special.

What is the best frosting for writing messages on a cake?

Buttercream frosting is often the best choice for writing messages on a cake, as it is easy to work with and creates a smooth, clean finish. It also holds its shape well, making it ideal for intricate or detailed lettering.

What are some creative ways to display the message on the cake?

Creative ways to display the message on the cake include writing the message in a decorative script, using edible ink and stencils, or incorporating the message into the cake’s design, such as spelling out the words with fondant or creating a banner to display the message.

Can I include the graduate’s favorite flavors in the cake?

Absolutely! Including the graduate’s favorite flavors in the cake is a thoughtful way to personalize the celebration. Whether it’s their favorite cake flavor, filling, or frosting, incorporating their preferences adds an extra touch of sentiment to the occasion.

How can I make the cake message stand out?

To make the cake message stand out, consider using contrasting colors for the lettering, incorporating decorative elements around the message, or placing the message on a raised platform on the cake. You can also use edible glitter or shimmer dust to add a touch of sparkle to the message.

What if I want to keep the cake message simple and elegant?

If you prefer to keep the cake message simple and elegant, consider using a classic font style, such as traditional script or block lettering, and opting for a clean, minimalist design. A single, impactful phrase or the graduate’s name in elegant lettering can create a timeless and sophisticated look.

Where can I find inspiration for unique cake messages?

You can find inspiration for unique cake messages by considering the graduate’s personality, hobbies, future plans, and favorite quotes. Additionally, browsing online for graduation cake ideas and exploring creative cake decorating websites can provide inspiration for memorable messages and designs.

How can I ensure the cake is visually appealing in addition to the message?

To ensure the cake is visually appealing in addition to the message, consider the overall design, color scheme, and decorative elements. Incorporating thematic decorations, such as graduation caps, scrolls, or symbols representing the graduate’s achievements, can enhance the cake’s visual impact.

What are some thoughtful ways to present the cake and message to the graduate?

Thoughtful ways to present the cake and message to the graduate include incorporating personalized cake toppers, creating a decorative display with themed decorations and props, and arranging the cake alongside special mementos or memorabilia from the graduate’s academic journey. This creates a heartfelt and personalized presentation for the celebration.

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About Rachel Bannarasee

Rachael grew up in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai until she was seven when her parents moved to the US. Her father was in the Oil Industry while her mother ran a successful restaurant. Now living in her father's birthplace Texas, she loves to develop authentic, delicious recipes from her culture but mix them with other culinary influences. When she isn't cooking or writing about it, she enjoys exploring the United States, one state at a time. She lives with her boyfriend Steve and their two German Shepherds, Gus and Wilber.

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April 2024 announcements for graduate students

Mark your calendars for important spring graduation deadlines, funding opportunities, events and professional development workshops.

Graduation Deadlines

Graduate students who plan to have their degrees awarded in August but would like to participate in a May commencement ceremony and be listed in the commencement program must apply online to graduate through buff portal on the “apply for graduation” card. PhD students must also enter their dissertation title as part of the graduation application. Though you plan to participate in a May ceremony, please select August as the semester of graduation if that is when your degree will be awarded.

Doctoral students must complete the PhD dissertation defense or doctoral final examination by this date. Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the doctoral final examination form two weeks before the exam.

PhD students must submit the dissertation with Thesis Approval Form to ProQuest by this deadline. The dissertation must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The single page Thesis Approval Form (TAF) must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete. Students whose dissertations are received after this deadline, or those not submitted with the TAF, must apply to graduate at the following semester's commencement.

PhD and DMA students must fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) online by this deadline. Learn more about the survey .

Master's students must complete the thesis defense or final examination by this date. Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the master's final examination form two weeks before the exam. Certain units do not require an exam for non-thesis students. Please contact your department with any questions.

Doctoral grade changes must be submitted for incomplete courses taken during previous or current semesters.

Master's thesis plan students must submit the thesis and Thesis Approval Form to ProQuest by this deadline. The thesis must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The single page Thesis Approval Form (TAF) must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete. Students whose dissertations are received after this deadline, or those not submitted with the TAF, must apply to graduate at the following semester's commencement.

Doctoral students must update diploma name or address in Buff Portal by this date if necessary.

Master’s grade changes must be submitted for incomplete courses taken during previous semesters.

Funding Opportunities

• Due April 12 :  Graduate Fellowship in Community-Based Research
• Due April 14 :  Graduate School Student Travel Grant

Professional Development Opportunities

Graduate student appreciation week.

The first week of every April, the Graduate School at the University of Colorado Boulder celebrates what makes it great: its students. Part of a broad national effort, these events recognize graduate students and the outstanding work that they do.

Breakfast Burritos with the Dean

 April 2, 8 to 9:30 a.m.   Rec Center, Ice Rink Overlook 

Join Dean Adler and the Graduate School staff for breakfast burritos and coffee for Graduate Student Appreciation Week! Food & beverage available while supplies last.

Register Here

GradCO: Identifying Alternative Career Paths to Academia

 April 3, 12 to 1:30 p.m.   Zoom

In this virtual session Amy Cailene from the Career Center returns to guide participants through methods to translate academic skills to suit careers and jobs outside the university. If you are curious about how to find jobs in industry or other agencies where you can use your advanced degree, you will benefit from Cailene’s keen career insights. 

This workshop is hosted by Colorado State University and is being shared with other institutions across Colorado as part of the GradCO Consortium's Professional Development Series.

Negotiating Salary & Startup Packages for Academia & Industry

 April 18, 12 to 1 p.m.   Zoom

In this information session, we will cover negotiating salary and startup packages for both academic and industry positions. We will hear from Assistant Professors Nuris Figueroa (Physics) and Katya Arquilla (Aerospace Engineering), and Program Director and Career Advisor Cat Diebel-Wilson (Career Services), who will offer strategies to help you effectively navigate salary discussions. Questions may be submitted in advance to [email protected] .

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ORIENTAL CHERRY 2024 Graduation Gifts - 3 Tier Graduation Cake Filled with Cash Money - Funny Decorations Class Party Supplies Money Gift Ideas for Boys Girls High School College

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• This kit includes everything needed for a money cake: a 3-tier cake model, 2 ribbons, a graduation cake topper, 5 paper clips, a wooden stick, a bag of raffia grass, and a bag of small rubber bands.
• Assembly is easy! Stack styrofoam layers with rolled money, secure with a ribbon, and add a graduation cake topper. Finish in half an hour, depending on your money-rolling speed!
• The Graduation money cake needs about 106 bills. Of course, the larger you roll the bills, the less money you will need to fill the cake.
• They won't be able to eat it, but a cash gift to spend is so much more fun! Remember to capture the moment of them being excited and surprised by your special surprise gift.
• This money Graduation cake is a special gift to give that graduate! It makes a great centerpiece for the graduation party as well!

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This is a great graduation gift idea for my niece's high school graduation!

Glen Kennedy

OPENING Graduation Money Cake

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2024 Graduation Gifts - 3-Tier Graduation Money Cake

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Register for Unity Graduation by April 19 

• March 20, 2024
• < 1 min. read

Unity Graduation is an annual event recognizing Marquette’s first-generation graduates and graduates of color. Graduates will have a chance to celebrate with each other and their families while receiving regalia representative of their culture.

Unity Graduation is open to undergraduate and graduate students graduating in the fall and spring. 

Register online by Friday, April 19. 

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