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Perfect July 4th Flag Cake Recipe Easy Vibrant Patriotic Dessert Tutorial

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A vibrant and easy-to-make July 4th flag cake featuring even layers and patriotic colors, perfect for summer celebrations and crowd-pleasing dessert tables.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups (315g), sifted
  • Baking powder – 2 ½ teaspoons
  • Salt – ½ teaspoon
  • Unsalted butter – 1 cup (227g), softened (plus 1 cup for frosting)
  • Granulated sugar – 2 cups (400g)
  • Large eggs – 4, room temperature
  • Pure vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons (plus 1 teaspoon for frosting)
  • Whole milk – 1 cup (240ml), room temperature (can substitute almond milk)
  • Gel food coloring – red and blue
  • Powdered sugar – 4 cups (480g), sifted
  • Heavy cream – 2 to 3 tablespoons (30-45ml)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Fresh strawberries – sliced (for decoration)
  • Blueberries – fresh (for decoration)
  • White chocolate stars or edible star decorations (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 8-inch cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  3. Cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one, blue to another, and leave one plain for the white layer.
  7. Pour each colored batter into prepared pans (about 1 1/3 cups per pan). Tap pans gently to remove air bubbles.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking if needed.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks. Remove parchment and cool completely.
  10. Prepare frosting by beating 1 cup softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until fluffy and adjust consistency as needed.
  11. Level cakes if domed. Assemble cake by placing red layer on plate, spreading thin frosting layer. Repeat with white and blue layers. Smooth top and sides with offset spatula.
  12. Decorate top with sliced strawberries in stripes, leave some frosting white, cluster blueberries in corner, and add white chocolate or edible stars if desired.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning batter. Add color gradually. Chill frosting if too soft for easier spreading. Level domed cakes with serrated knife for even layers. Bake layers in parallel if possible to save time. Store leftovers wrapped tightly in refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: July 4th cake, flag cake, patriotic dessert, layered cake, easy cake recipe, vibrant cake, summer dessert

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