Plan a Diploma-Worthy Celebration With These Graduation Cake Ideas
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Graduation—whether it’s from high school, college, or even middle school—is a moment worth celebrating. And we’ve never attended a celebration that didn’t have cake! So, if your loved one is putting on a cap and gown to commemorate all their hard work, then you might want to show them just how proud you are by baking one of these special graduation cakes. Ahead, you'll find all different types of cake for any style of graduation party. There are colorful cakes, spring cakes, and no-bake desserts to keep things easy, but there are also plenty of show-stopping layer cakes on this list, too. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with a sprinkle-topped chocolate bundt cake to satisfy any new grad’s sweet tooth.
Hosting a backyard barbecue? Try a fun and refreshing ice cream cake or a piña colada cake with cherries on top. How about a cake that's fit for a crowd? Ree Drummond's chocolate sheet cake will take care of that. Of course, there are over-the-top trifles, decadent cheesecakes, and plenty of cakes that younger kids will love, too. You can even get creative in decorating your cake with frosting in your school's colors. Serve it up alongside Ree's graduation cap brownie bites and an array of graduation party foods, and you'll have diploma-worthy celebration that's as memorable as it is sweet.
Oreo Icebox Cake
This no-bake cake layers fluffy whipped cream with Oreo cookies and fresh fruit. But the best part is—you can make it in advance for easy party planning! In fact, the cake needs to refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours so it has time to set.
Get the Oreo Icebox Cake recipe.
Lemon Raspberry Cake
This sweet-tart cake is as pretty as it is delicious! The pink raspberry frosting and lemony cake layers even have a special filling made with raspberry jam. It’ll make any spring get-together feel like a special occasion.
Get the Lemon Raspberry Cake recipe.
Sprinkle Ice Cream Cake
Though this cake was originally created for a birthday celebration, it’s just as wonderful for a graduation party, too. The sprinkle-filled cake layers and strawberry sprinkle ice cream will have everyone screaming, “hip, hip, hooray!”
Get the Sprinkle Ice Cream Cake recipe.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Bring some retro vibes to your graduation party with a classic pineapple upside-down cake. To bring the nostalgic dessert into the modern day, it’s made in a 9x13-inch baking pan so it feeds a crowd.
Get the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Eclair Cake
This cake is made with a creamy filling, graham crackers, and a chocolate ganache. It tastes just like a classic French pastry, but without all the hard work. (No baking required!)
Get the Eclair Cake recipe.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
Now that school’s out for summer, you’re going to want a summer dessert. Enter: this beautiful and bright cake bursting with blueberries and fresh lemon flavor. There’s even a lemony cream cheese frosting on top!
Get the Lemon Blueberry Cake recipe.
Key Lime Cheesecake
This twist on key lime pie is just as tart and zesty, but it also has that creamy decadence that makes it perfect for a special occasion. Top it off with a big pile of whipped cream and lime zest to impress everyone at the graduation party.
Get the Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.
Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake
This recipe starts off with a super simple chocolate cake, but it becomes more and more delicious from there. Add a layer of rich Nutella, swoops of fresh whipped cream, and a juicy pile of strawberries for the ultimate layer cake.
Get Ree’s Chocolate Strawberry Nutella Cake recipe.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
It doesn’t get easier than this 4-ingredient cake! The classic ice cream sandwiches act as the top and bottom layer with a minty filling that’s loaded with mint-flavored Oreos! Of course, you can always switch up the flavor based on your grad’s preferences. (Caramel ice cream with chopped up candy bars would be another hit!)
Get the Ice Cream Sandwich Cake recipe.
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
This beautiful cheesecake is full of sweet spring flavor thanks to both fresh berries and strawberry Jell-O. The creamy and fluffy filling is perfectly balanced with the buttery graham cracker crust.
Get the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.
Piña Colada Cake
Now that school's out, it's time for a vacation—even if it's just in your own backyard! And this cake will bring all the tropical vibes with its fruity pineapple and coconut flavor. Top it off with some cherries, lime zest, and coconut chips. The mini umbrellas are optional but fun for decorating!
Get the Piña Colada Cake recipe.
Strawberry Icebox Cake
This no-bake cake can be made the night before and served straight from the fridge, so you'll have more time to spend with your favorite grad before they move on to the next phase in life. (Cue the tears!) It's cool, creamy, and loaded with berries.
Get the Strawberry Icebox Cake recipe.
Cookie Cake
This cake-sized chocolate chip cookie is big enough for all your guests. Top it with fluffy chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles, or get creative with your grad's school colors. Either way, it's sure to be a hit!
Get the Cookie Cake recipe.
Coca-Cola Cake
This rich, chocolaty cake gets a little extra rise and a subtle caramel flavor from the addition of coca-cola. The chocolate glaze is the perfect canvas for adding any color sprinkles or decoration.
Get the Coca-Cola Cake recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Trifle
A trifle is the perfect type of cake for effortless entertaining. It looks impressive, but it's really just layers of store-bought pound cake, berries, and whipped cream!
Get the Red, White, and Blue Trifle recipe.
Lemon Cake
This bright, lemony cake just screams springtime! A few drops of yellow food coloring in the lemon cream cheese frosting will help guests know what they're getting.
Get the Lemon Cake recipe.
German Chocolate Cake
If you're looking to earn top honors from your friends and family, just make this extra-special German chocolate cake! The creamy coconut-pecan filling, chocolate cake layers, and chocolate Swiss buttercream are all worthy of straight A's.
Get the German Chocolate Cake recipe.
Ice Cream Cake
Now that the weather is heating up, you can skip turning on the oven by making an ice cream cake that's worthy of a celebration! You can even customize each layer with your grad's favorite ice cream flavors.
Get the Ice Cream Cake recipe.
Hummingbird Cake
This classic cake is sweet and comforting with its warm cinnamon spice and chopped pecans for crunch. Plus, the cream cheese frosting is always a hit!
Get the Hummingbird Cake recipe.
Chocolate Sheet Cake
No Drummond family celebration would be complete with this chocolate cake that's fit for a crowd. Ree says it's "absolutely, without a doubt, the best chocolate sheet cake ever."
Get Ree's Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe.
Carrot Cake Trifle
This is a fun idea for taking a nostalgic, childhood favorite cake and turning it into something totally brand new! You'll love the swoops of whipped cream cheese topping, decadent pudding, and crushed speculoos cookies along with the cubes of spiced carrot cake.
Get the Carrot Cake Trifle recipe.
Blackberry Cobbler Cake
Even more intimate gatherings deserve to be celebrated with cake! This blackberry cake with a crunchy, sugar-coated topping is a simple way to say, "congrats!"
Get the Blackberry Cobbler Cake recipe.
Coffee-Toffee Crunch Cake
Instant coffee in both the cake and the frosting make this beautiful dessert buzzing with flavor (and caffeine). If that weren't enough, crushed chocolate-covered toffee bars give the cake a fun, sweet crunch.
Get Ree's Coffee-Toffee Crunch Cake cake.
Jello Cake
This retro dessert is making a comeback and it's easy to see why! The cake itself is super moist and pretty with its swirls of color. Plus, the white chocolate whipped cream is the perfect finishing touch.
Get the Jello Cake recipe.
Chocolate Bundt Cake
Dress up a simple chocolate bundt cake by adding a devilishly decadent chocolate glaze along with fun silver and gold sprinkles. It looks and tastes like a celebration!
Get the Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe.
Blueberry Cheesecake
This creamy cheesecake starts with a buttery graham cracker crust and ends with a juicy layer of blueberry sauce. Sprinkled throughout are pops of fresh blueberries!
Get the Blueberry Cheesecake recipe.
Mini Bundt Cakes
These adorable mini cakes will have everyone reaching for seconds! There are three different glazes to make the assortment more fun: blackberry, dark chocolate-sea salt, and maple-whiskey.
Get the Mini Bundt Cakes recipe.
Ice Cream Icebox Cake
This slice-able cake is a great way to doctor up store-bought vanilla ice cream. It's swirled with blackberry preserves and homemade lemon curd, then layered with crushed gingersnaps to form a beautiful cake.
Get the Ice Cream Icebox Cake recipe.
Coconut Layer Cake
This recipe isn't shy with the coconut flavor. It's evident in both the cake layers and the frosting. Not to mention the sweetened shredded coconut for decoration!
Get Ree's Coconut Layer Cake recipe.
Key Lime Cakes in a Jar
Whether you're celebrating with a picnic in the park or a neighborhood potluck, these adorable jarred cakes are just as impressive as any big cake recipe. They're packed with key lime flavor and macadamia nuts for crunch.
Get Ree's Key Lime Cakes in a Jar recipe.
Confetti Snack Cake
This sprinkle-filled cake will bring back a flood of memories from those funfetti cakes you know and love. The homemade version is surprisingly easy and the perfect pop of color for any celebration.
Get the Confetti Snack Cake recipe.
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