I have to do a graduation sheet cake for a friend's graduation. I think brown background on a cake looks ugly. Is there any way to make the cake look attractive? My friend also said I could do flowers instead of a graduation theme if that looks better. Any thoughts?

painting with such a broad brush saying that 'brown background cakes are ugly' tends to either reflect bad on  everyone who ever did one or it reflects badly on yours --

so putting it that way makes it difficult to respond because one of us potentially could be insulted -- although I am not insulted --

all you have to do is make it prettier -- even chocolate scrolls on chocolate cake I mean seriously beauty is in the eye of the beholder -- you've identified your problem that's half the battle right?

for example in the winter one person sees unappealing leafless naked trees another person sees the awesome work of  God's freeform lacework in all the entangling/entagleded branches --

if you can be more specific maybe i can help

best to you in all the colors even in brown

I have done brown chocolate icing and did colorful buttercream flowers with green leaves. Everyone loved the cake. I think it will come out better than you think!! Be sure to post a picture!! You can never go wrong with flower cakes!! Have fun!! I love doing cakes with flowers!!

Here's a look at some beauties. Not sheet cakes but the styles can be applied. Just to get those creative juices going.......

Hey where did the pics go......oh well let me try again

One more..........last one I promise

I really love the second and last picture!!! They look lovely!!!

I love the second picture too. I'm just not sure how to do a graduation theme. Black graduation caps probably won't show up well on a brown bakcground. She said I could do flowers if it would look better. Any thoughts on a graduation theme?

You could go with the diploma and school colors as accents.  You could have the diploma rolled with flowers or confetti and the cap resting on the side.  Or you could have the unrolled diploma in fondant with the cap lying on it.  The whole thing could be removed if the client is a "I hate fondant!" person.

Hmmmm.

@carolinecakes 

 That's a great cake but it's a pretty far cry from a sheet cake!

@Pastrybaglady  

Oh yes I agree, wanted her to see how the black hat looks on the brown cake.

@marya92  

When I'm in need of inspiration. I take a look at Pinterest , you can search for exactly what you are looking for and the CC gallery. I find Pinterest easier to navigate but that's just me. Let us see your finished product. Good luck.

She's graduting from Ohio State and the school colors are red and grey- not a fabulous contrast to brown :(

You definitely have some challenges!  Does the cake have to be chocolate buttercream?  If so, can it be covered in a different color fondant so you have more options?

pipe a little white cloud to set it on or whatever color to create a contrast or pipe a tiny border like a snail trail around it in the contrasting color you like --

Maybe a brown cap instead of black..like this:

Or a white cap with flowers like this:

I like this one too:

I just googled to get these examples.  There are others, that you could do and provide a beautiful cake. :)

Or like this:

or this:

So lots of ways to honor the request and provide a lovely cake.

@Singerssoul 

I was just looking at those......

There you go, lots of ideas to work with, think yummy chocolate, celebration graduation, CAKE.

I love the second to last one that says "Congratulations Rena." It looks like ganache. Anyone have any idea how they got such a smooth coat?

The one with the photo  is my favorite!!

@marya92   It looks like a glaze, to me. I've done something similar in the past by ganaching the whole cake smooth, then melting my excess and pouring it over for that glossy finish.