# 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
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)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, then blend in vanilla extract.
02 - Alternately add dry mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
03 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely before assembling.
04 - Beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract. Add heavy cream or milk until the buttercream reaches a spreadable consistency. Tint most of the buttercream teal, reserving a portion uncolored for crumb coating.
05 - Mix rock sugar crystals with a few drops of teal gel food coloring until evenly coated. If damp, allow crystals to dry on parchment paper.
06 - Level cake layers as needed. Optionally brush layers with simple syrup for added moisture. Stack layers with a thin coat of buttercream between each. Apply crumb coat with uncolored buttercream, then chill cake for 20 minutes.
07 - Cover the entire cake with teal buttercream. Smooth sides and top using an offset spatula.
08 - Carve a wedge or slice into one side of the cake using a serrated cake knife. Spread a thin layer of buttercream in the cut-out area. Carefully press teal sugar crystals into the buttercream, layering lighter crystals toward the center, deeper teal on the edges.
09 - Paint the edge of the geode using edible gold leaf or gold luster dust mixed with clear alcohol to achieve an elegant metallic gold finish.
10 - Embellish with additional gold accents as desired. Add graduation-themed topper for celebration.
