Simple Vanilla Sheet Cake (Printable)

Moist vanilla sheet cake with creamy buttercream and piped floral decorations. Perfect for festive occasions.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sheet Cake

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature

→ Buttercream Frosting

09 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ¼ cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Food coloring in pink, yellow, and green

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Add flour mixture in three portions, alternating with milk and beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
06 - Transfer batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even thickness.
07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake.
08 - Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, alternating with milk, beating until smooth and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
10 - Divide buttercream into separate bowls and tint portions with gel food coloring to desired flower and leaf shades.
11 - Spread a generous layer of plain buttercream over the cooled cake as the foundation for decoration.
12 - Fill piping bags fitted with flower and leaf tips with colored buttercream. Pipe decorative flowers and leaves across the cake, concentrating on corners and edges for traditional appearance.
13 - Using a small round piping tip, optionally pipe a cross or First Communion text as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cake stays moist for days, which means less stress about timing on celebration day.
  • Buttercream piping feels intimidating until you realize flowers don't need to be perfect to look stunning.
  • One rectangular pan means one bake, minimal cleanup, and maximum time for the things that matter.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients—especially eggs and milk—make the difference between a tender cake and a dense one because they incorporate smoothly into the batter.
  • Stop mixing the moment everything is combined; overmixing develops gluten and creates a tough, crumbly texture that feels nothing like celebration cake.
03 -
  • Check eggs and milk are truly room temperature by letting them sit on the counter for 20 minutes; this simple step prevents curdling and ensures smooth incorporation.
  • Use an offset spatula for spreading buttercream rather than a standard knife, which gives you better control and a smoother finish without dragging up cake crumbs.
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