Graduation season is here again and that means it’s time to celebrate! I’ve partnered up with Cakes.com to bring you inspiration for a cap-tossing graduation party plus a graduation cake tutorial. After years of homework, studying and tests, our graduates have earned a diploma and an incredible party!
It all starts with a modern black and white color scheme, bold stripes, rainbow sprinkles and some cheers for the graduate. YAY! Hip Hip Hooray! Today is your day! That’s what this party is all about. Literally!
This cake says it all! I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found it challenging to write on a cake. No matter how much time I spend trying to make it perfect, it never looks quite right. For this dessert table, I used Custom PhotoCake® Edible Cake Images to create a message with ease. In no time at all, I had perfect lettering in a trendy font – and it’s completely edible!
PhotoCake® Edible Cake Images are the same exact products used in professional bakeries. You’ve probably seen these printable icing sheets in action as a photo, logo or licensed character on a cake. They are easy-to-use, high quality products trusted by the pros — and they’re now available to everyone online. Choose from an assortment of graduation products or simply upload your own photo on Cakes.com. The printed product is shipped directly to you. It arrives at your door in a sealed package, ready for you to place on a cake, cupcake or even a cookie.
I wanted to use these edible icing sheets in a new way for this project — personalized with custom graphics that I created. While you can use any JPG, GIF or PNG file of your own, I’m also hooking you up with my files as a free download. These work interchangeably for the 7.5″ cake images and the 2″ cupcake images as well. Find the “Today is your Day” file HERE. The “YAY” file is HERE. And the “Hip Hip Hooray” file is HERE. Just save them to your computer and upload at Cakes.com when you order!
What I love about this cake is that it falls into the “beginner” category for skill level, yet it looks professional and polished. That is what I call a win for everyone! If you’re the proud mother of a graduate, you can totally pull off this cake at home. If you’re a bakery gearing up for graduation season, this is a great ready-to-go case cake that still feels custom made. And these cupcakes are super quick as well! Just swirl on your icing as usual, top with one of the PhotoCake® Edible Cake Images, sized for cupcakes, and then add sprinkles all around! YAY for quick and easy decorating!
While the PhotoCake® Edible Cake Images are stiff when you pull them off the packing sheet, they soften and meld to your cake after application. When it came time to cut the cake, my knife sliced right through the edible image and the icing. Giving me a clean cut, just as usual.
If you’ve never visited Cakes.com before, definitely check it out! You’ll find cake decorating tools and supplies just like the pros use, from brands like DecoPac, Kee-Seal, Ateco and more. Plus graduation ideas and step-by-step projects for every occasion. You know how we love a good tutorial! Speaking of tutorials, let’s get started with this cake project!
TODAY IS YOUR DAY CAKE
a DIY by Carrie Sellman
Supplies
8″ Round Layer Cake
Swiss Meringue Buttercream Icing
Jimmie Sprinkles in Assorted Colors
7.5″ Custom PhotoCake® Edible Cake Image
Free “Today Is Your Day” Template
PREP WORK : Download the free template and order your Custom PhotoCake® Edible Cake Image at least one week in advance for standard shipping.
Stack and fill a cake of your choosing. Coat exterior with a thin layer of frosting to lock in the crumbs. Refrigerate 10 minutes or until firm.
Add 1/2 cup of assorted jimmies to a batch of Swiss Meringue Buttercream frosting. Fold jimmies into frosting until completely combined.
Frost the cake and smooth icing to your liking. The top does not have to be perfect, but try to make it flat.
Remove PhotoCake® Edible Cake Image from the backing and apply to the top of the cake. If icing has begun to dry, mist with a little water before adding the image.
Sprinkle additional jimmies around outside edge of frosting.
Stand back in amazement of how easy that was — your cake is complete! Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Slice, serve and give our best to the graduate!
Cakes.com is offering our readers Free Shipping on any order!
Use code: CAKEBLOG at checkout.
(Free Shipping valid on Standard Shipping only to the 48 contiguous United States. Offer not valid in Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Cannot be combined with any other offer.)
Cakes.com is your online resource for high quality cake decorating products trusted and preferred by cake decorating professionals and bakeries across the continent. Cakes.com offers over 1,500 products from cake and cupcake toppers to fondant, gum paste and decorating tools. Whatever you’re creating, Cakes.com has what you need to make it memorable.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Cakes.com. The opinions expressed are 100% mine. Tutorial, styling and photography by Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com.
Rebecca says
I absolutely love this! And I think I could actually do this myself. Thank you!
Carrie Sellman says
Wonderful Rebecca! I hope you like it!
Cat says
Hi! I love this! What font did you use in your ‘today is your day’ template? I would like to do something similar but for a 30th birthday cake. Thanks!
Carrie Sellman says
This would be great for a 30th birthday! The font is called Redbird.
Tomika says
Would you think this is done with 8×3 pans.
Carrie Sellman says
I baked the cake in three 8″ round pans.
Tomika says
I guess what I’m wondering is the depth of the pans is it a normal 8 inch round pan or like the 8×3 deeper round cake pan? also they want the cool whip icing would that work for this cake?
Carrie Sellman says
I used normal 8 inch round pans. As for the cool whip icing, I have not tried the sprinkle technique using a whipped cream icing, so you’d have to experiment to make sure the sprinkles don’t dissolve too much. Good luck!
AppetiteDeluxe says
Definitely using this for my son’s birthday!! Thanks
Carrie Sellman says
Yay! That’s the nice thing about this cake – it works for almost any special occasion! Hope your son loves it.
littlemissblogger says
Now that my blog is a little more established, I would love it if you could have a look!
littlemiss-blogger.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks xx
Carrie Sellman says
Great site – keep up the good blogging! And thanks for reading The Cake Blog!
Amber @ The Bewitched Baker says
I love the cake sheets you used – I’d much rather have a homemade cake to make and eat for a party (they taste so much better) but the pictures are impossible at home without special equipment, and of course you’re right – the text is rough. This spread looks great!
Carrie Sellman says
I agree completely Amber! Being able to custom order an edible image is super convenient for home bakers and small bakeries!
Anu says
Wow… Really beautiful, I would love to try it out myself….
Carrie Sellman says
Thanks Anu! Happy cake making!
Tomika says
love the confetti cake!!! The cake pans are they the 8×2 pans?
Carrie Sellman says
Thanks Tomika! Yes, I used three 8″ round pans to bake the cake.
Kim @ The Celebration Shoppe says
This is so perfect Carrie! Every grad… everyone… would LOVE this cake. So pretty! Let’s face it, life is better with sprinkles. 😉
Carrie Sellman says
Thanks Kim! Totally agree – life is better with sprinkles!
Heather says
how long do these keep? What if i ordered it a week before i needed it? Will it keep in the fridge?
Carrie Sellman says
Sure, the edible image comes sealed up and will keep just fine. No refrigeration needed.
Debbie Parrish says
How long will they keep? I am wanting to get one for my grandson next year.
Yvonne says
Thank you for allowing to your copyright note on cake. Love it. My daughter gonna love it
Carrie Sellman says
Enjoy Yvonne! Best wishes to your daughter!
Robin @thebakingexchange says
I love the little line of sprinkles all around the top edge. Details Details!! 🙂
Carrie Sellman says
Thank you Robin!
Matt says
I hate writing on cakes and this would be perfect!!! Thank you for this!! BTW is there a recipe for that delicious looking cake? OMG it’s made be want a slice LOL
Carrie Sellman says
This totally removes the anxious writing-on-cake jitters! I have not posted this cake recipe on the blog yet, but maybe I should! Will put it on the to-do list. Thanks Matt!
Jaime says
I ordered a custom cake image and followed this tutorial, sprinkles in the buttercream and everything, and I loved it! I know this is an older post, but I was wondering if these edible images would adhere to other things as well other than buttercreams/frostings. Ganache or chocolate for example? I would love to try these on white chocolate dipped Oreos instead of using transfer sheets if that would work. The 2″ ones might be a little big, but I could always trim them. I know this is an older post already but maybe someone has some thoughts on this. Thnks as always for such great ideas!
Carrie Sellman says
That’s great, thanks for the feedback Jaime! While I have not tested these edible images with ganache or chocolate, my guess is that it would work similarly. The moisture in the frosting is what helps the image adhere to the cake.
One thing to keep in mind is that a dark chocolate or ganache may show through the image. You typically see these sheets placed on white frosting.
Let us know if you give it a try!
Rosalyn says
I have jst seen this cake. I was just wondering from the other comments. Can you jst order its your day and I put on my own cake or do I have to order the whole cake and I am sure the answer is here I just over looked it. If not how do I make it. How long will that last
Carrie Sellman says
Sure, you can order just the “Today Is Your Day” edible cake image. Then you’ll place it on your own cake, as shown in the tutorial above.
Michelle Bailey says
This is so simple yet to effective. Well done.
Carrie Sellman says
Thank you Michelle!
Jennifer says
Can you help me with your font choice? I tried downloading the three files you offered and cakes.com just sent me an email saying it shows up totally black. My daughter wants this cake and cupcakes for her graduation.
Carrie Sellman says
I’m not sure why the files are not working for you Jennifer. Perhaps something happened to them during your download. I just sent you an email with the files attached – hoping that resolves any issues for you!
Congrats to your graduate!
Heather Hutchinson says
This is awesome!
Do you happen to remember how long did it take for cakes.com to ship your edible image to you?
Carrie Sellman says
It takes around 4-7 business days to for standard shipping. There are also faster shipping options if you’re in a rush.
Minn Campano says
How much is the edible writing & how long it will last?
Carrie Sellman says
The edible cake image is $4.49 plus shipping. The cupcake images are also $4.49 for a sheet of 12. They come sealed up and seem like they’d last for quite a while, if stored properly. Exactly how long though, I’m not aware.
Alfreda says
I know this post is a year old and I’m hoping you actually review comments as they pop up but could you give some insight as to the type of balloons used for this food staging photo? I’m hosting a grad party using similar colors with a pop of red and wanted to know what type of balloons those are as they would be a perfect touch to the dessert table.
Carrie Sellman says
Sure thing Alfreda. These balloons were XXL! I purchased the balloons here on Amazon, had them filled with helium at my local grocery store (they charged extra because of the super large size) and then tied these tassels in clumps onto the string.
Hope that helps! Congrats to your graduate!
Karla says
Hiii, love this cake.. I have a question? Can you use any brand or type of sprinkles for the frosting.? How do you do it so the spinkles color doesn’t mix with the white color por the frosting!!??
Thankyou..
Carrie Sellman says
I used sprinkles from Cakes.com for this post (link in supply list above) but any brand of jimmie like sprinkles should work just fine.
ada says
342
jason says
oh the cake is so beautiful ,Thank you for allowing to your copyright note on cake. Love it
Neal says
Hi I know this is a old blog, but if you could tell me how did you decorate the table? Are the black stripes fabric or ribbons and what size and length did you used
Carrie Sellman says
Sure Neal – the black and white stripes are fabric. I had to hunt to find something that bold and actually found a remnant at a local fabric store. I just cut it so that it would drape over the center of the table. There is a white tablecloth underneath it that you can see on the outer sides. Hope that helps!
LISHA says
NICE
Mary says
Please post the cake recipe. I’m looking for a delicious vanilla layer cake. Bet you have one. I have made your Candied Lemon Cream Cheese and it is WONDERFUL! Next I want to try your Buckeye Cake. Thank you!
Carrie Sellman says
Thanks Mary – so glad you enjoyed the lemon cake! Hope you enjoy the buckeye cake as well. I’ll work on getting a standard vanilla layer cake recipe posted soon. 😃
Naomi says
I love this cake! I want it for my upcoming graduation party. Do you know of bakeries that will make the image in person? As in a same-day order?
Carrie Sellman says
Some cake supply stores that will print out images in person. You’ll want to check around your local area to see if there are any nearby you. Congrats on the graduation!