Simple Vanilla Sheet Cake Buttercream (Printable Version)

Moist vanilla sheet cake with creamy buttercream and decorative piped flowers, ideal for special occasions.

# What You Need:

→ For the Sheet Cake

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 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

→ For the Buttercream

09 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 1/4 cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 - Food coloring in pink, yellow, and green

# How To Make It:

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.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, beating until smooth and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
10 - Divide buttercream into bowls and tint portions with food coloring for flowers and leaves.
11 - Spread a generous layer of plain buttercream over cooled cake as the base.
12 - Fill piping bags fitted with flower and leaf tips with colored buttercream. Pipe flowers and leaves decoratively across the cake, focusing on corners or along the edges.
13 - Optionally, pipe a cross or add First Communion text with a small round tip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect for religious celebrations with its elegant, reverent appearance
  • Feeds a crowd of 20, ideal for post-ceremony gatherings
  • Beautiful buttercream flowers create a handmade, heartfelt touch
  • Moist, tender vanilla cake that appeals to all ages
  • Customizable decorating allows you to match party colors or themes
02 -
  • Make the cake a day ahead and store covered at room temperature—it actually becomes more moist overnight
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant, non-runny buttercream hues that won't dilute your frosting
  • Invest in quality piping tips (petal, leaf, and small round) for professional-looking floral designs
  • Chill the frosted cake for 15 minutes before piping flowers to create a stable base layer
  • Keep a damp cloth nearby while decorating to wipe your piping tips clean between colors
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