# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 - 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
10 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
12 - 2 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
13 - Gel food coloring in floral shades: green, pink, purple, and yellow
→ Decoration
14 - Edible gold leaf or gold sprinkles, optional
15 - Piping bags and assorted piping tips for petal, leaf, and round designs
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add the flour mixture and milk in three batches, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth the tops.
07 - Bake for 28 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well.
10 - Mix in vanilla and 2 tablespoons heavy cream; add more cream as needed for desired consistency. Beat until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
11 - Divide buttercream into separate bowls and tint each with desired gel food coloring for floral designs.
12 - Level cooled cakes if needed. Place first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of buttercream. Repeat with remaining layers.
13 - Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream to the entire cake and chill for 20 minutes.
14 - Apply a smooth final coat of buttercream over the entire cake.
15 - Using colored buttercream and piping tips, pipe floral designs, leaves, and vines around the cake.
16 - Add the Taurus symbol or graduation cap accent with gold leaf or sprinkles if desired.
17 - Chill until ready to serve. Bring to room temperature before slicing.
