Galaxy Graduation Cake Stars (Printable Version)

A stunning celestial cake with galaxy buttercream and edible stars, perfect for special celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
06 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

→ Galaxy Buttercream

09 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ¼ cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - Black gel food coloring
14 - Navy blue gel food coloring
15 - Purple gel food coloring
16 - Pink gel food coloring
17 - Teal gel food coloring

→ Decoration

18 - Edible gold star sprinkles
19 - Edible silver star sprinkles
20 - Edible glitter or luster dust
21 - White gel food coloring

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
04 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
06 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
08 - Divide buttercream into four or five bowls. Tint each with a different galaxy color using gel food coloring: black, navy blue, purple, pink, and teal.
09 - Place random spoonfuls of each color onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Roll up to form a log. Snip one end and transfer the log to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
10 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of galaxy buttercream. Repeat with remaining layers.
11 - Apply a generous crumb coat all over the cake. Chill for 20 minutes.
12 - Pipe and spread galaxy buttercream over the cake, swirling gently with an offset spatula to create a marbled galaxy effect.
13 - Use white gel food coloring and a food-safe paintbrush or splatter tool to flick on stars across the cake surface.
14 - Decorate with edible gold and silver star sprinkles and a sprinkle of edible glitter or luster dust.
15 - Add a graduation cap cake topper for a festive touch if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Visually stunning galaxy buttercream creates a unique centerpiece.
  • Layered with fluffy, moist vanilla cake for balanced flavors.
  • Decorated with edible stars and glitter for a magical finish.
  • Perfect for graduations or any special celestial-themed celebration.
  • Vegetarian-friendly with simple, classic American ingredients.
02 -
  • Use high-quality gel food coloring for vibrant, lasting galaxy hues without thinning the buttercream.
  • Allow the cake layers to fully cool before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Chill the cake after applying the crumb coat to make decorating easier and cleaner.
  • When creating stars, use a stiff-bristled brush or splatter tool for better control.
  • Check star sprinkle packaging for allergen information due to possible nut traces.
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