# 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 to 3 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration
14 - 2 pounds white fondant
15 - Food coloring gel (team colors as desired)
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 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
05 - Mix in vanilla extract. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk in batches, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
07 - Beat unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk, beating until the frosting is light and spreadable.
08 - Once cooled, carefully remove cake from the pan. Using a serrated knife, shape the cake into a jersey form by rounding the shoulders and creating indentations for the armholes.
09 - Apply a thin layer of buttercream frosting over the entire surface of the shaped cake to seal in crumbs. Chill for 30 minutes.
10 - Tint white fondant with food coloring gel as desired. Roll fondant out on a cornstarch-dusted surface to approximately 1/8 inch thickness.
11 - Carefully drape the rolled fondant over the chilled cake. Smooth the fondant over the surface and trim any excess.
12 - Use colored fondant or edible black marker to add jersey elements such as collar, stripes, athlete number, name, and graduation year.
13 - Place the finished cake on a serving board and present for celebration.
