# What You Need:
→ Cake
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
05 - 6 large eggs, room temperature
06 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
07 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 8 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Food coloring gel, as needed
→ Decorations
14 - Edible gold or silver pearls (optional)
15 - Fondant or white chocolate for diploma and ribbon (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 12x18-inch sheet pan with parchment paper.
02 - Use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
03 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and gently smooth the top with an offset spatula.
07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter until creamy with an electric mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, mixing until fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional milk or sugar if necessary.
10 - Divide buttercream into bowls and tint with gel food coloring for desired rose and leaf colors. Leave some white for cake coating.
11 - Coat the cooled cake with a smooth layer of white buttercream using an offset spatula.
12 - Using a piping bag fitted with a rose tip, pipe roses in desired colors. Pipe green leaves with a leaf tip.
13 - Shape a scroll from fondant or white chocolate, tie with a colored ribbon of fondant, and place on cake.
14 - Decorate with edible pearls and additional accents as desired.
