# What You Need:
→ Vanilla sheet cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
→ Sage green buttercream
09 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of fine salt
14 - Sage green gel food coloring, as needed
→ Gold accents
15 - 1/2 cup reserved buttercream
16 - Edible gold luster dust
17 - 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract or vodka (optional, to mix with dust)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 12×18-inch sheet pan and line it with parchment, leaving edges to lift the cake out after baking.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - In a large bowl using a stand or hand mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
04 - Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
05 - Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour; mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the surface, and bake 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the sheet to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
07 - Beat the butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, then beat in the vanilla and salt. Add heavy cream or milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the buttercream reaches a spreadable consistency.
08 - Tint most of the buttercream with sage green gel coloring to the desired shade. Reserve 1/2 cup of plain buttercream for gold details.
09 - Spread the sage green buttercream evenly over the cooled sheet, using an offset spatula for a smooth finish.
10 - Mix gold luster dust with a few drops of clear vanilla or vodka to form a paint, or blend the dust into the reserved buttercream for a marbled effect. Apply with a food-safe brush or pipe details and paint them gold.
11 - Add graduation motifs, gold sprinkles, or piped borders as desired. Chill briefly to set the buttercream before slicing into neat squares.
