# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration
14 - 2 pounds white fondant
15 - Food coloring gel (team colors of choice)
16 - Edible black food marker or black fondant
17 - Cornstarch, for rolling fondant
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl; whisk to blend.
03 - Beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
04 - Stir in vanilla extract. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with the flour, blending just until combined.
05 - Pour batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the surface and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Allow cake to cool completely in the pan.
06 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk until the texture is fluffy and spreadable.
07 - Once cooled, remove cake from pan. Using a serrated knife, carve a sports jersey shape by rounding the shoulders and creating indentations for armholes.
08 - Spread a thin layer of buttercream over the cake to seal in crumbs. Chill for 30 minutes until set.
09 - Color fondant using food coloring gel to achieve desired team hues. Roll it out on a cornstarch-dusted surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.
10 - Drape the rolled fondant over the chilled cake, gently smoothing the surface and trimming away excess. Use colored fondant or edible markers to craft jersey features, including collar, numbers, name, stripes, and graduation year.
11 - Place the decorated cake onto a serving board and display for celebration.
