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Perfect Class of 2026 Sheet Cake with Edible Photo Decoration

class of 2026 sheet cake - featured image
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A moist and buttery sheet cake topped with a personalized edible photo, perfect for celebrations like graduations and birthdays. Easy to make with simple ingredients and impressive results.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
  • ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tbsp (30–45 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • 1 edible frosting sheet, pre-printed with photo
  • Light corn syrup or piping gel (to adhere photo)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan and line with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  3. Beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
  5. With mixer on low, alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk in thirds, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Slowly pour in hot water and mix gently until batter is smooth and thin.
  7. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes, then invert onto rack to cool completely (about 1 hour).
  9. Beat softened butter for frosting until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream, until spreadable consistency is reached. Stir in vanilla and salt.
  10. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting to the cake and chill for 15 minutes.
  11. Apply a thicker final layer of frosting, smoothing it for the edible photo.
  12. Brush a thin layer of light corn syrup or piping gel onto frosting where the photo will be placed.
  13. Carefully position the edible photo sheet on top, smoothing out bubbles or wrinkles gently.
  14. Chill the cake to set the photo before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix batter to avoid tough cake. Chill crumb coat before final frosting to prevent crumbs mixing in. Handle edible photo gently and keep cake chilled to avoid wrinkling. Frosting consistency can be adjusted with heavy cream. For vegan or gluten-free versions, substitute ingredients accordingly. Freeze cake without photo and apply after thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet cake, edible photo cake, graduation cake, easy cake recipe, chocolate sheet cake, celebration cake, buttercream frosting

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/perfect-class-of-2026-sheet-cake-recipe-easy-edible-photo-decoration-tutorial/