Graduation Sports Jersey Cake (Printable)

Eye-catching sports jersey cake with buttercream and fondant. Great for graduation parties and customization.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Buttercream Frosting

09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Decoration

14 - 2 pounds white fondant
15 - Food coloring gel (blue, red, green, or team colors of choice)
16 - Edible black food marker or black fondant
17 - Cornstarch (for rolling fondant)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
03 - Beat softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
04 - Blend in vanilla extract. Alternately add the flour mixture and whole milk, starting and ending with flour, mixing gently until just combined.
05 - Transfer batter to the prepared pan, smooth the surface and bake for 35–40 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Cool completely in the pan.
06 - Beat butter until smooth. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk, beating until frosting is light and easily spreadable.
07 - Once cooled, remove cake from the pan. With a serrated knife, carve into a jersey shape, creating curved shoulders and indentations for armholes.
08 - Apply a thin layer of buttercream over the carved cake and chill for 30 minutes.
09 - Tint white fondant to desired team colors using food coloring gel. Roll fondant to 1/8-inch thickness on a cornstarch-dusted surface.
10 - Drape fondant over the chilled cake, smooth the surface, and trim any excess.
11 - Create jersey accents such as collar, numbers, name, stripes, and graduation year using colored fondant or edible markers.
12 - Carefully transfer cake to a serving board for display.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This cake doubles as a centerpiece, sparking genuine smiles before the first slice is ever served.
  • Personalizing your own jersey design and colors makes you feel like both artist and baker.
02 -
  • If you rush into fondant without chilling the buttercream, it turns sticky and sags awkwardly.
  • Carving the cake slowly before the crumb coat is the trick that gives crisp jersey outlines, not crumbly edges.
03 -
  • If fondant starts sticking, use cornstarch instead of flour—it prevents flavor loss and stickiness.
  • Mark numbers and letters lightly first, then press gently to avoid mistakes.
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