# What You'll Need:
→ Vanilla Cake
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
08 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
12 - 3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
13 - Teal gel food coloring
→ Geode Decoration
14 - 2 cups rock sugar crystals (clear or white)
15 - Teal gel food coloring
16 - Edible gold leaf or gold luster dust
17 - Clear alcohol (such as vodka), for painting
→ Assembly
18 - Simple syrup (optional, for moistening cake layers)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - Using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
04 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract thoroughly.
05 - Alternate adding dry mixture and milk, beginning and ending with dry mixture. Mix gently to avoid overbeating.
06 - Distribute batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then blend in vanilla extract. Add heavy cream or milk until desired consistency is achieved.
09 - Tint the majority of the buttercream with teal gel food coloring, leaving a portion uncolored for crumb coating.
10 - Place rock sugar crystals in a bowl. Mix in a few drops of teal gel food coloring, and stir gently until coloring is evenly distributed. Allow crystals to dry if moist.
11 - Level cake layers if needed. Brush layers with simple syrup if desired. Stack layers with a thin spread of buttercream between each.
12 - Apply a thin layer of uncolored buttercream around the cake to seal in crumbs. Chill for 20 minutes.
13 - Cover the entire cake with teal buttercream, smoothing the top and sides using an offset spatula.
14 - Using a serrated knife, carve a wedge or slice into one side of the cake to expose an interior section.
15 - Apply a thin coat of buttercream inside the carved area. Press teal-colored sugar crystals into buttercream, arranging lighter crystals in the center and darker on the edges.
16 - Paint the perimeter of the geode area with edible gold leaf or brush with gold luster dust mixed with clear alcohol to achieve a metallic finish.
17 - Add further gold accents as desired and place a graduation-themed topper top the cake for a celebratory presentation.
