American Flag Cake

There’s something truly special about celebrating our nation with a slice of American Flag Cake. Picture a sunny summer day, the aroma of freshly baked cake wafting through the air, and family and friends gathering for a festive barbecue. This delightful dessert is not just visually stunning, with its vibrant layers of red strawberries and blue blueberries, but it also brings a sense of joy and unity. I remember the first time I made a American Flag Cake for a Fourth of July celebration; everyone was so excited to see a cake that paid homage to our flag! It quickly became a staple at our summer gatherings, with each bite evoking the spirit of celebration and community.

What Goes Into American Flag Cake

The ingredients for the American Flag Cake play a crucial role in creating its delightful flavor and texture. Each component works harmoniously to produce a cake that’s not only visually appealing but also tantalizingly delicious. The key players include fresh fruits, which add a burst of flavor, and a rich cream cheese frosting that brings everything together beautifully.

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the cake, providing structure and a light texture.
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder: Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda: Works together with the baking powder to ensure the cake is light.
• ¾ teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• 3 egg whites: Contributes to the cake’s lightness and structure.
• ¾ cup unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
• 2 cups sugar, divided: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb.
• 1 whole egg: Adds moisture and richness.
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Provides a lovely depth of flavor.
• 1½ cups buttermilk: Ensures the cake is moist and tender.
• 1½ cups unsalted butter: Used in the frosting for creaminess.
• 1 lb cream cheese: Key ingredient for a rich and smooth frosting.
• ¾ lb powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting, giving it that lovely creamy texture.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds flavor to the frosting.
• ½ pint fresh blueberries: Adds a burst of flavor and beautiful color.
• 1 pint fresh strawberries: Provides a sweet and refreshing contrast to the blueberries.

American Flag Cake Instructions

Making the American Flag Cake is an enjoyable and rewarding process. You’ll love how simple it is to whip up this festive treat! Let’s dive into the steps that will lead you to this gorgeous cake.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. This is crucial for a properly baked cake, so don’t skip this step! It helps the cake rise perfectly.
2. Grease a 19×13 cake pan with butter. After greasing, sprinkle a little flour all over the pan, shaking it gently to remove any excess. This will help the cake release easily once it’s baked.
3. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that everything is well combined and prevents lumps in your batter.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with 1 cup of sugar until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you can turn the bowl upside down and nothing falls out!
5. In another mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, beat the butter with the remaining cup of sugar on medium speed until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides a couple of times to ensure everything is well mixed.
6. Add in the whole egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
7. Turn the mixer to medium-low and gradually add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour. Beat until just combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
8. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a spatula. Be careful not to over-mix; you want to maintain those lovely airy peaks!
9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack and allow it to cool completely.
10. While the cake cools, make the frosting by combining the softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth and creamy.
11. Once the cake is completely cool, use an offset spatula to ice the top and sides with your cream cheese frosting. Be generous! It’s the best part.
12. Now comes the fun part! Arrange the fresh blueberries in the top left corner of the cake to create a rectangle. Then, make four rows of “stripes” with the sliced strawberries across the top of the cake. Use the large star tip to pipe frosting between the strawberry stripes.
13. For added flair, use the small star tip to pipe 3 to 4 rows of stars across the top of the blueberries. This will give your cake that classic flag look and impress your guests!

Tips for Success

To ensure your American Flag Cake turns out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips:

• Storage: Leftover cake should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If the fruit starts to spoil, remove it before storing.
• Freezing: The cake (without frosting) can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to wrap it tightly. Thaw completely before frosting and decorating.
• Decoration Timing: For best results, add the fruit and decorative icing just before serving to maintain freshness.
• Serving Size: This recipe makes a large cake, perfect for gatherings. Consider dividing it into smaller portions if serving a smaller crowd.
• Experiment with Fruit: Feel free to use other fruits like raspberries or blackberries to create your unique version!

Perfect Pairings for American Flag Cake

When it comes to serving your American Flag Cake, think about pairing it with complementary dishes and drinks. Here are some ideas:

• Summer BBQs: This cake is a fantastic addition to any summer barbecue. Serve it alongside grilled burgers and hot dogs for a delightful meal.
• Picnic Treat: Pack slices of American Flag Cake for a picnic in the park. It’s easy to transport and sure to impress your fellow picnickers!
• Ice Cream: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
• Fresh Fruit Salad: Pair it with a refreshing fruit salad made with seasonal fruits to balance the sweetness of the cake.
• Drinks: Consider serving lemonade or iced tea. The refreshing drinks will enhance the cake’s flavors and keep everyone cool.
• Celebratory Events: This cake is perfect for birthdays and family gatherings. It adds a festive touch to any table!

FAQ

Conclusion

The American Flag Cake is a delightful way to celebrate our heritage while enjoying a delicious treat. Its vibrant design and rich flavors make it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. I encourage you to try making this cake for your next celebration. It’s a wonderful way to bring family and friends together, creating lasting memories around the dinner table.

American Flag Cake

Get ready for the ultimate summer delight with this American Flag Cake! Rich layers of buttery cake topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, make this dessert a perfect centerpiece for your celebrations. Impress your guests with this easy, eye-catching treat that’ll have them coming back for seconds!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2¾ cups All-Purpose Flour plus extra for dusting the pan
• 2½ teaspoons Baking Powder
• ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda
• ¾ teaspoon Salt
• 3 large Egg Whites
• ¾ cup Unsalted Butter room temperature
• 2 cups Sugar divided
• 1 large Whole Egg
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 1½ cups Buttermilk
• 1½ cups Unsalted Butter 3 sticks, room temperature
• 1 pound Cream Cheese room temperature
• ¾ pound Powdered Sugar about 3 cups
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• ½ pint Blueberries fresh
• 1 pint Strawberries fresh, stemmed and sliced

Equipment

• 19x13 cake pan or 2 9-inch cake rounds
• Piping bags
• Large star tip
• Small star tip

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. This is crucial for a properly baked cake, so don't skip this step! It helps the cake rise perfectly.
2. Grease a 19x13 cake pan with butter. After greasing, sprinkle a little flour all over the pan, shaking it gently to remove any excess. This will help the cake release easily once it’s baked.
3. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that everything is well combined and prevents lumps in your batter.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with 1 cup of sugar until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. You'll know it’s ready when you can turn the bowl upside down and nothing falls out!
5. In another mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, beat the butter with the remaining cup of sugar on medium speed until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides a couple of times to ensure everything is well mixed.
6. Add in the whole egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
7. Turn the mixer to medium-low and gradually add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour. Beat until just combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
8. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a spatula. Be careful not to over-mix; you want to maintain those lovely airy peaks!
9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack and allow it to cool completely.
10. While the cake cools, make the frosting by combining the softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth and creamy.
11. Once the cake is completely cool, use an offset spatula to ice the top and sides with your cream cheese frosting. Be generous! It’s the best part.
12. Now comes the fun part! Arrange the fresh blueberries in the top left corner of the cake to create a rectangle. Then, make four rows of “stripes” with the sliced strawberries across the top of the cake. Use the large star tip to pipe frosting between the strawberry stripes.
13. For added flair, use the small star tip to pipe 3 to 4 rows of stars across the top of the blueberries. This will give your cake that classic flag look and impress your guests!

Notes

• Tip 1: The cake can be made and iced (the base icing) up to 24 hours in advance of serving. If possible, cover the cake with an inverted roasting pan to keep it from drying.
• Tip 2: Leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. The fruit will spoil faster than the cake. You may need to remove the fruit if kept in the fridge for more than several days.
• Tip 3: The cake (pre-iced) can also be frozen for up to several months. Let thaw completely before icing and decorating.

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Meet Isla Banks

We eat with our eyes first, so I strive to make every dish look as bountiful as it tastes. I work on every stage of the process, from sourcing the freshest ingredients to styling the final shot. I tested this recipe repeatedly to provide you with the visual inspiration and reliability you need to cook with confidence.