Communion Party Sheet Cake (Print View)

Moist sheet cake beautifully adorned with pearl fondant, ideal for celebratory occasions.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sheet Cake

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 2 cups granulated sugar
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk

→ Buttercream

09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Pearl Fondant Decoration

14 - 2 pounds white ready-to-roll fondant
15 - Pearl luster dust, food-safe
16 - Edible pearls or sugar pearls
17 - 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
18 - Water as needed for fondant adhesion

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 12x18-inch sheet pan and line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk in three additions, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Remove cake from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy and smooth.
09 - Once cake is completely cool, spread a thin, even layer of buttercream over the entire surface and sides.
10 - Roll out fondant on a surface dusted with powdered sugar to approximately 1/8-inch thickness. Drape fondant over cake and smooth with your hands or a fondant smoother.
11 - Trim excess fondant. Brush lightly with water where you wish to adhere edible pearls. Dust the surface with pearl luster dust using a dry food-safe brush for shimmer effect.
12 - Lightly brush with a mixture of corn syrup and water if desired for added shine. Arrange edible pearls as desired to create Communion motifs such as cross, chalice, or border designs.
13 - Allow cake to set for 30 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cake itself is buttery and moist—fondant looks fancy, but the cake underneath is what people actually remember.
  • Once you nail the fondant technique here, you'll feel like you can decorate anything, which is an oddly empowering feeling.
  • It's a showstopper that doesn't require professional decorating skills, just patience and a little water.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are not just a suggestion—cold eggs and butter won't incorporate properly and you'll end up with a grainy, dense cake instead of the tender crumb you're after.
  • Fondant absorbs moisture from the air, so humidity is your enemy; if it's a sticky day, keep your work surface cool and dust generously with powdered sugar.
  • Don't skip the buttercream layer under the fondant—it's what makes the fondant stick and gives you a smooth, professional-looking finish.
03 -
  • If your fondant cracks or splits, don't panic—mix a tiny bit of shortening into a small piece of fondant to create a patch, smooth it over the crack with a damp finger, and no one will ever know.
  • Bake the cake a day ahead and wrap it tightly; it stays moister and is easier to frost when it's had time to set overnight.
Go Back