# What You 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, assorted colors
16 - Edible black food marker or black fondant
17 - Cornstarch for rolling fondant
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
04 - Mix in vanilla extract. Alternately add the dry flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Smooth the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake completely in the pan.
06 - Beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
07 - Once cooled, carefully remove the cake from the pan. Using a serrated knife, carve it into the shape of a sports jersey, forming curves at the shoulders and indentations for armholes.
08 - Cover the entire cake with a thin layer of buttercream frosting to seal in crumbs. Chill the cake for 30 minutes.
09 - Tint the fondant with desired team colors using food coloring gel. Roll it out on a cornstarch-dusted surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.
10 - Drape the fondant over the chilled cake, smoothing over the surface and trimming any excess.
11 - Decorate the cake by adding jersey details with colored fondant or edible markers, such as collar, numbers, name, stripes, and graduation year.
12 - Transfer the decorated cake to a serving board for display and celebration.
