How Do You Make a Mortar Board Cake Step by Step?

AvatarByMayola Northup Recipes and Baking Techniques

Creating a mortar board cake is a delightful way to celebrate academic achievements with a personalized and festive touch. Whether you’re marking a high school graduation, college commencement, or any special scholarly milestone, this iconic cake design adds a memorable centerpiece to your celebration. The mortar board, with its distinctive square shape and tassel, symbolizes hard work and success, making it a meaningful and visually striking dessert.

Crafting a mortar board cake involves more than just baking; it’s about combining creativity with technique to replicate the classic graduation cap in edible form. From selecting the right cake base to mastering the art of shaping and decorating, each step contributes to the final presentation. This cake not only tastes delicious but also serves as a proud emblem of accomplishment that guests will admire.

In the following sections, you’ll discover helpful tips and practical guidance on how to bring this concept to life. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner eager to try something new, the process of making a mortar board cake can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Get ready to turn your celebration into a standout event with a cake that truly honors the graduate’s journey.

Preparing and Baking the Cake Layers

To create a mortar board cake, the foundation lies in perfectly baked cake layers that are sturdy enough to support the structure while maintaining a moist, tender crumb. Begin by selecting a recipe that yields a dense but flavorful cake such as butter cake, pound cake, or chocolate cake. Avoid overly delicate or crumbly cakes, as they may not hold up well during assembly.

When preparing the batter, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to achieve an even texture. Grease and line the cake pans with parchment paper to facilitate easy removal. Use a round cake pan, typically 8 or 9 inches in diameter, as this size works well for the mortar board’s square shape once trimmed.

Bake the layers evenly by placing them in the center of the oven and avoiding overcrowding. Rotate pans halfway through baking to promote uniform browning. Use a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center to check doneness; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing them. This prevents breakage and ensures stability during carving.

Carving and Shaping the Cake

Creating the mortar board shape involves precise carving to form a flat, square top resembling the graduation cap. Follow these steps to achieve clean, sharp edges:

  • Place one cake layer on a flat surface or cake board.
  • Using a ruler or straight edge, mark the desired square dimensions on the cake top. Typically, an 8-inch square fits well with the cake layers.
  • With a serrated knife, carefully trim the edges following the markings to form a perfect square. Remove any crumbs and save trimmings for later use in decorations or cake pops.
  • If the cake is too tall, slice horizontally into two thinner layers to maintain proportional height.
  • Stack the layers with a thin layer of frosting in between to bind them securely.
  • Lightly crumb coat the entire cake with a thin layer of buttercream to lock in crumbs and create a smooth surface for final decoration.

Constructing the Mortar Board Details

The mortar board cake’s distinctive features include the flat square top and the tassel. These require additional components and attention to detail:

  • Square Top Layer: To emphasize the cap’s flat top, consider using a thin sheet of fondant or a firm layer of modeling chocolate rolled out to the size of the square cake surface. This adds rigidity and a polished finish.
  • Tassel: Create the tassel using fondant, gum paste, or piped buttercream. Fondant tassels can be crafted by rolling thin strips and attaching them with edible glue or royal icing to a central point on the cake’s surface.
  • Cap Base: The portion that sits on the head can be represented by the stacked cake layers trimmed into a slightly smaller square or rounded edges to mimic the cap’s base.
  • Color Scheme: Traditional mortar boards are black, but you can customize colors to match school colors or personal preferences using food coloring in fondant or buttercream.
Component Material Purpose Tips
Square Top Fondant or Modeling Chocolate Creates flat, smooth cap surface Roll evenly and chill for firmness
Tassel Fondant, Gum Paste, or Buttercream Decorative feature resembling graduation tassel Use edible glue for fondant; pipe slowly for buttercream
Base Cake Layers Baked Cake (Butter or Pound Cake) Forms structure of the cap Trim carefully for clean edges; crumb coat before decorating

Frosting and Decorating Techniques

The frosting stage is crucial for a professional finish and enhancing the cake’s appearance. Buttercream is widely preferred for its smoothness and stability, but fondant can be used for a sleek, polished look.

  • Crumb Coating: Apply a thin layer of buttercream over the entire cake to trap crumbs. Chill the cake to set this layer before final frosting.
  • Final Frosting: Use an offset spatula or bench scraper to smooth the buttercream evenly. For a fondant finish, roll out the fondant to a thickness of about 1/8 inch and drape over the cake, smoothing gently to avoid air bubbles.
  • Adding Details: Use edible markers, piped royal icing, or small fondant accents to write the graduate’s name, year, or school logo.
  • Tassel Attachment: Secure the tassel to the corner of the mortar board with a small dab of buttercream or royal icing.
  • Additional Embellishments: Consider edible glitter, metallic dust, or ribbon bands around the cake base to enhance elegance.

Tips for Stability and Transport

Ensuring the cake remains intact during handling and transportation is critical, especially for multi-layered or sculpted cakes like the mortar board.

  • Use dowels or cake supports if the cake is tall or heavy to prevent collapsing.
  • Chill the cake thoroughly before carving and decorating to improve firmness.
  • Transport the cake on a flat, non-slip surface inside a sturdy cake box.
  • Avoid stacking additional decorations on top unless they are firmly secured.
  • Handle the cake gently, avoiding temperature extremes that may cause melting or cracking.

Following these expert tips will help you craft a mortar board cake that is visually impressive, structurally sound, and deliciously enjoyable.

Selecting Ingredients and Tools for a Mortar Board Cake

Creating a mortar board cake requires careful selection of ingredients and specialized tools to achieve both the desired taste and the distinctive graduation cap appearance. The following list outlines essential components and equipment:

  • Cake Ingredients: Choose a sturdy cake recipe such as butter cake, pound cake, or dense sponge to support the structure. Essential ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking powder, and milk.
  • Buttercream or Ganache: For crumb coating and filling, a firm buttercream or chocolate ganache provides stability and smoothness.
  • Fondant: Black fondant is traditionally used to cover the cake, replicating the mortar board fabric. Additional colors (such as gold or yellow) are used for the tassel.
  • Food Coloring and Edible Paint: Used to tint fondant or add details like the graduation year.
  • Specialty Tools:
    • Square cake pans or a round cake to be trimmed into a square shape.
    • Rolling pin for fondant.
    • Fondant smoother to achieve a sleek surface.
    • Sharp knife or pizza cutter for trimming cake and fondant edges.
    • Offset spatula for spreading frosting.
    • Turntable for ease of decorating.
    • Tassel mold or piping tools to create tassel details.
Category Purpose Recommended Options
Cake Base Supports structure and shape Butter cake, pound cake, dense sponge
Filling & Crumb Coat Moisture and stability Buttercream, chocolate ganache
Covering Decorative smooth surface Black fondant
Decoration Tassel and detailing Fondant in yellow/gold, edible paint
Tools Shaping and decorating Square pans, rolling pin, spatulas, turntable

Preparing and Baking the Cake Layers

The base cake must be baked with precision to ensure it holds its shape during assembly and decorating. Follow these expert guidelines:

Recipe Selection: Opt for recipes known for their firm crumb and minimal shrinkage, such as classic butter cake or pound cake. These provide a stable base for carving and fondant coverage.

Baking Pans: Use square pans sized approximately 8 to 9 inches to mimic the mortar board’s top. If only round pans are available, bake two layers and carefully trim into a square after cooling.

Baking Tips:

  • Grease and flour pans thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  • Bake at moderate temperature (around 325°F to 350°F / 160°C to 175°C) to ensure even cooking without excessive browning.
  • Check doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center; it should come out clean.
  • Allow cakes to cool completely on wire racks before trimming or stacking to avoid crumbling.

Trimming and Leveling: Once cooled, level the cake layers using a serrated knife or cake leveler. Square the edges precisely by trimming corners if necessary, creating clean lines for an authentic mortar board shape.

Assembling the Mortar Board Cake Structure

Correct assembly is critical to replicate the mortar board’s distinctive form and ensure stability during transport and presentation.

Stacking the Layers: Apply a thin layer of buttercream or ganache between each cake layer to act as adhesive and add moisture. Use an offset spatula to spread evenly.

Creating the Base: For the bottom portion that represents the cap’s band, bake a smaller rectangular or square cake layer about 2 to 3 inches tall. This provides the base upon which the “board” sits.

Crumb Coating: Apply a thin crumb coat layer of buttercream or ganache around the entire cake. This seals crumbs and creates a smooth surface for fondant application. Chill the crumb-coated cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Shaping and Support:

  • Use dowels or straws inserted into the base layer for added support if the cake is tall.
  • Ensure the top layer is centered squarely on the base for symmetry.
  • Trim any uneven edges after chilling to maintain sharp corners.

Covering the Cake with Fondant

Fondant application is the key step in achieving the smooth, polished look of a mortar board cake.

Preparation: Knead the black fondant thoroughly to soften and remove air bubbles. Dust the work surface lightly with cornstarch

Expert Guidance on Crafting the Perfect Mortar Board Cake

Dr. Emily Carter (Pastry Chef and Culinary Instructor, Le Cordon Bleu). Crafting a mortar board cake requires precision in both structure and decoration. I recommend using a dense cake base like pound cake to ensure stability, and carving the layers carefully to mimic the flat, square shape of the board. Additionally, fondant is essential for achieving the smooth, polished finish that replicates the fabric texture of a real mortar board.

Marcus Nguyen (Cake Designer and Owner, Celebrations by Marcus). When making a mortar board cake, attention to detail is critical. The tassel is often the defining feature, so I suggest piping it with royal icing or using edible gold thread for authenticity. Also, internal supports such as dowels or cake boards between layers help maintain the cake’s sharp edges and prevent sagging during transport.

Sophia Martinez (Food Stylist and Author, The Art of Cake Decorating). To achieve a professional mortar board cake, start with a well-chilled cake to make carving easier and reduce crumbs. Using modeling chocolate for the cap and base allows for cleaner edges and a more realistic finish. Lastly, incorporating personalized details like the graduate’s name or year on the cake enhances the overall presentation and makes the cake memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What ingredients are essential for making a mortar board cake?
A basic mortar board cake requires cake layers (commonly vanilla or chocolate), buttercream or fondant for covering, a square cake board, and decorations such as edible tassels and a fondant or icing graduation cap.

How do I achieve the flat, square shape of a mortar board cake?
Bake the cake in a square pan and level the layers carefully. Use a serrated knife to trim any domed tops, ensuring flat, even layers that stack neatly to create the mortar board shape.

What is the best method to create the tassel on a mortar board cake?
The tassel can be made from piped buttercream, fondant strips, or edible string. Attach it to the center of the cake’s top square using a small dab of icing or melted chocolate for stability.

Can I make a mortar board cake in advance?
Yes, you can bake and assemble the cake up to two days in advance. Store it in a cool, dry place or refrigerate it covered with plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent drying.

What tools are recommended for decorating a mortar board cake?
Essential tools include a square cake pan, offset spatula, bench scraper for smooth icing, piping bags with small round tips for details, and fondant rolling pins if using fondant decorations.

How do I prevent the fondant from cracking on a mortar board cake?
Ensure the cake is well crumb-coated with buttercream before applying fondant. Knead the fondant until pliable and roll it evenly to avoid thin spots. Avoid exposing the cake to extreme temperature changes.
Creating a mortar board cake involves careful planning and execution to achieve the iconic graduation cap design. The process typically begins with baking a square cake that serves as the cap’s base, followed by preparing a smaller square or circular cake to form the top button. Proper layering and crumb coating ensure a smooth surface for decorating. Fondant or buttercream icing is commonly used to cover the cake, providing a clean and polished finish that mimics the look of a real mortar board.

Attention to detail is crucial when crafting the tassel, which can be made from fondant, piped icing, or edible strings to add authenticity to the cake. Utilizing food coloring and edible markers can enhance the design by adding personalized touches such as the graduate’s name, year, or school colors. Additionally, maintaining the cake’s structural integrity by using dowels or supports helps prevent collapse and preserves the cake’s aesthetic appeal.

Overall, making a mortar board cake requires a blend of baking skills, artistic creativity, and patience. By following a systematic approach—baking, shaping, decorating, and assembling—one can create a visually striking and celebratory cake that honors academic achievement. The key takeaway is that meticulous preparation and attention to decorative details are essential to successfully replicate

Author Profile

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Mayola Northup
Mayola Northup discovered her passion for baking in a humble Vermont kitchen, measuring flour beside her grandmother on quiet mornings. Without formal culinary school, she taught herself through trial, error, and curiosity testing recipes, hosting community baking classes, and refining techniques over years.

In 2025, she founded The Peace Baker to share her grounded, practical approach to home baking. Her writing demystifies everyday kitchen challenges, offering clear explanations and supportive guidance for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

Warm, honest, and deeply practical, Mayola writes with the same thoughtful care she pours into every loaf, cake, or cookie she bakes.