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Perfect Red White Blue Flag Cake Recipe with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

red white blue flag cake - featured image
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A festive and easy-to-make red, white, and blue layered cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for patriotic celebrations and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or dairy-free milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
  • 1 tablespoon blue gel food coloring
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: fresh strawberries or blueberries for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Stir red gel food coloring into one, blue gel into another, and leave the third plain.
  7. Pour blue batter into one pan, white batter into second, and red batter into third. Tap pans gently to release air bubbles.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking at 25 minutes with a toothpick for doneness.
  9. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  10. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low until incorporated. Add vanilla and salt, then beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
  11. Assemble cake by placing blue layer on serving plate, spreading about ½ cup frosting on top. Repeat with white layer and frosting, then top with red layer.
  12. Apply a thin crumb coat over entire cake and chill for 20 minutes.
  13. Finish frosting with a smooth, even layer.
  14. Optionally, decorate with fresh blueberries on the blue layer and sliced strawberries on the red layer.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to keep batter thick and vibrant. Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. Chill crumb coat before final frosting for easier decorating. For gluten-free or vegan versions, substitute ingredients as noted. Fresh berries for decoration are optional but recommended for a festive touch.

Nutrition

Keywords: red white blue cake, patriotic cake, cream cheese frosting, July 4th dessert, layered cake, easy cake recipe, summer cake

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/perfect-red-white-blue-flag-cake-recipe-with-easy-cream-cheese-frosting/