# Components:
→ Cake Layers
01 - 3 1/4 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 vanilla extract
08 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
09 - Gel food coloring in graduation theme colors
→ Swiss Meringue Buttercream
10 - 6 large egg whites
11 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
12 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened and cubed
13 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
14 - Gel food coloring to match cake layers
→ Decoration
15 - Edible gold or silver pearls
16 - Graduation cap or diploma cake topper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line four 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
06 - Divide batter evenly into four bowls. Tint each bowl with increasing amounts of gel food coloring to achieve a gradient ombre effect.
07 - Pour each colored batter into prepared pans and smooth the tops evenly.
08 - Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Combine egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 160°F, approximately 8-10 minutes.
10 - Transfer mixture to a stand mixer and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form and mixture is completely cool, approximately 10 minutes.
11 - Gradually add softened butter, a few cubes at a time, mixing well between additions. Add vanilla extract and tint portions with gel food coloring if desired.
12 - Trim cake layers if necessary. Place the darkest layer on a cake stand, spread with buttercream, and repeat with remaining layers in order from darkest to lightest.
13 - Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream over the entire cake and chill for 20 minutes.
14 - Frost with a final layer of buttercream, blending colors for an ombre effect if desired. Decorate with edible pearls and cake topper.
15 - Chill cake until buttercream is set. Bring to room temperature before serving.
