Graduation Cake Ideas

graduation cake ideas help you decide which graduation cakes to make

If you know someone who is celebrating a graduation, how about baking them a special graduation cake? This article is full of graduation cake ideas that will turn a special occasion into an extra special one. Graduation is always a special time - a time to celebrate and rejoice. And you can give your graduate a sweet ending to a day of celebration with themed graduation cake and candy ideas.

Graduation is not just a time to celebrate the achievements of the past but also a time to look forward to the future. If you know someone who is about the graduate and you are set on planning a special graduation party then you will really appreciate some good graduation cake ideas. They will add the cream to your graduation gift ideas and your graduation party ideas.

Graduations are wonderful causes for celebration. Graduation marks academic advancement and it deserves recognition, celebration and support. Graduation parties are also fun events, not only for the graduate, but for family and friends too. And graduation cakes are not just for senior students either! Why not cook up a great creation for younger graduates too?

If you are planning a graduation celebration, the first thing you must decide is whether to buy a graduation cake or make it yourself. Professionally baked graduation cakes can come in all shapes and sizes and can be tailored to suit the character of the person graduating. They can feature animals or faces and be fashioned in the shape of mortar boards, scrolls or other interesting objects. Cakes shaped like graduation scrolls, books or even graduation cap and gown are very popular.

Buying a graduation cake

But if you decide to buy it is best to avoid some of the pitfalls. First be sure to plan ahead. Order your graduation cake or graduation cap cake well in advance as bakeries can often be busy at graduation time. Other families too may have the same idea and some months of the academic year are more popular for graduations than others, be sure to contact your chosen confectioner as soon as you have decided on a party date. It is also a good idea to pick up some recommendations from friends an family, especially if you don't have a particular baker in mind. Many people will be happy to make a recommendation.

Make sure the cake will be big enough. Estimate the numbers coming to the party then add a little more as you will be certain to get last minute changes and unplanned for arrivals at the party. People always have friends or relations that have dropped by and will want to bring them along. Remember, graduation cake ideas do not have to all be about the actual baking of the cake. One great idea would be to bake two incase hundreds of extra people turn up at your door!

In choosing colours for the cake it is often a good idea to incorporate the school or college colours. It show just how much more thought has been given to the event. Colours can easily be incorporated into icing and other cake decoration. Remember also to ask the confectioner to include the graduate's name as well as the graduation date.

For that extra special touch why not include a photo of the graduate on the cake? Many modern confectioners and bakeries have the capability to transfer a photograph directly onto the cake in frosting. A graduation photo would be a great or, as an alternative, choose a childhood photo.

Baking your own graduation cake

Many choose to make their own cake. This may be time consuming but it is far less expensive and you can easily add that little personal touch and bring your own artistic flair to bear on your graduation cake ideas.

Also, when you buy a graduation cake the design is only part of the process. The cake may very well look great but the taste may not measure up to the looks. When you are baking your own you can be sure that only the freshest and best ingredients are used and the result is that the cake will taste every bit as good as it looks.

Graduation cake decorations

There is absolutely no end to the creativity that you can call upon to realise your graduation cake ideas. Personalizing the cake with the name of the person, the graduation date and the name of the school, college or university will add a great personal touch to create a great graduation cake.

Not every graduation cake has to have a mortar board and tassel on it, although this is the classic way of recognizing the graduate's achievements. Many might prefer say, a fun pattern of polka dots and stars or a basket weave design. For a younger child's graduation celebration try a train design or scenes of country life. The options for your graduation cake design are as wide as your imagination.

Also in baking your own cake you can add features that make it extra special. If the graduate has career plans, why not decorate the cake to reflect this choice. In addition there is nothing like a short quotation to add a touch of class. What about some Latin? Or a school motto?

Displaying your graduation cake

Whether you choose to bake of buy always remember that display is everything. Don't hide the cake away on a corner table - make it the centrepiece of the room. Maybe you could drape a graduation gown on the serving table. And don't forget, although cakes are traditional, some party planners now choose to serve decorated candies, biscuits or cupcakes instead. And whatever you choose try to buy some graduation themed napkins and paper plates for that extra flourish.

Graduation Cake Ideas
Did you know?
  • Once you get into cake designing, don't stop with your graduation cake, custom birthday and christening cakes can be really popular
  • Try not to use too much marzipan and icing sugar on the top, it can become sickly
  • You can buy icing sugar figures and objects from good baking stores, so don't feel you have to make everything from scratch
  • It's best to keep your design simple, it is hard for beginners to get an intricate design onto the top of a cake
  • It is always advisable to make two cakes in case you burn one or the topping goes seriously wrong
  • If you get really good at cake decorating, remember there's a lot of money to be made in wedding cake design
  • A giraffe can easily clean its ears with a 20 inch long toungue

graduation cake ideas help you decide which graduation cakes to make

Copyright © August, 2008 Russet Moose Brian Horn - Cheshire, UK

Graduation Cake Ideas is W3C compliant