Description
Diploma Dreams Layer Cake is an elegant and festive dessert perfect for graduations and celebrations. This customizable cake features 2-3 layers of tender cake, smoothly frosted with luscious buttercream for a professional finish. A whimsical handmade fondant diploma, tied with colorful ribbon, crowns the cake, creating a show-stopping centerpiece ideal for milestone moments.
Ingredients
- 2–3 cake layers (8-inch, any flavor of choice, baked and cooled)
- 1 batch buttercream frosting (enough to frost 2–3 layers, about 4–5 cups)
- 1 small package white fondant
- 1 thin ribbon (for tying diploma, in school colors)
- Optional: edible pearl dust (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare and completely cool 2-3 cake layers in advance.
- Using a cake turntable or lazy Susan, stack the cake layers with buttercream frosting between each.
- Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting, chill for 20 minutes, then add a smooth outer coat using a straight spatula or a ruler wrapped in plastic wrap.
- For a flawless finish, press plastic wrap gently against the frosting, smoothing out any imperfections.
- Roll out white fondant to about 1/8-inch thickness and cut into a small rectangle (about 4×6 inches).
- Gently roll up the fondant to resemble a diploma scroll.
- Tie the scroll with a thin ribbon in school colors to secure it.
- Place the fondant diploma off-center on top of the cake.
- Optional: Lightly dust the cake with edible pearl dust for an elegant shimmer.
- Chill until ready to serve. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Substitute store-bought cake or frosting if short on time. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and non-dairy frosting. Fondant can be made ahead: shape and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep cake chilled but allow to sit at room temp 30 min before serving for best texture. If fondant sticks, dust with powdered sugar. If frosting smudges, smooth again with plastic wrap. Decorations can be personalized.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Assembling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 cake)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg