If decorating a cake intimidates you, good news for you because the berries here will save the day. They will make our flag cake effortlessly beautiful and extra delicious. Just line up the blueberries and strawberries neatly, and you’re minutes away from enjoying a fancy 4th of July cake. But, of course, a cake is not all about the design. We also need a good cake recipe to guarantee its success. And that’s precisely what I’m going to give you as you read along. 😉 What else could be better than representing its every color with vanilla frosting, blueberries, and strawberries? Aah! Aside from making our cake aesthetically pleasing, you’ll also enjoy the nutrition-packed deliciousness added to our cake. Oh yes!
Recipe Ingredients
A traditional American flag cake recipe always uses a basic vanilla cake base but feel free to choose any cake and flavor you like. But if you’re a first-timer, I recommend sticking to my recipe, and you’ll be fine. 😉
How to Make American Flag Cake
The Cake
Preheat the oven to 350℉/177℃. Then generously grease a 10x15x2-inch sheet pan with baking spray and set aside.Cream – Using a hand mixer, cream the butter, oil, and sugar for about 3 minutes. Then add sour cream and continue mixing until it is fluffy and starts to look white – 2 minutes or more. (Photos 1-2)Dry Ingredients – Add in the eggs one at a time beating well between each addition. Next, add the flour, baking powder, and salt and mix until combined. (Photos 3-4)Add Liquids – Then add the milk and vanilla extract. Continue mixing, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so everything gets mixed in. (Photos 5-6)Bake – Pour batter into the rectangular sheet pan, shake gently back and forth to ensure the batter is evenly distributed, and bake at 350℉/177℃ for 18-20 minutes or until a tester inserted in the cake’s center comes out clean. (Photos 7-8)Cool – Remove the cake from the pan, transfer it to a wire rack, and let it cool completely before frosting.ting with your vanilla frosting.
The Frosting
Combine – Add butter to a medium bowl, then sift in powdered sugar a little at a time. Mix using a wooden spoon or electric mixer. Pour in the vanilla extract.Add Milk – Gently add just enough remaining milk to make the frosting easy to spread. Adjust the thickness of the frosting with more powdered sugar if too thin. If too thick, add more milk.
Assembly
The Fruit – Use a paper towel to wash and dry fruits well. Slice strawberries to the desired shape.Decorate – Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Arrange blueberries in rows in the top left corner to form the “star” portion of the flag. Line the strawberry slices in 5 rows to create the “stripes.” Use the remaining frosting to decorate the “white stripes” as desired. (Photos 9-12)Chill – Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
I prefer baking the cake a day ahead to save time. Just cover it tightly with cling wrap, then store it at room temperature or in the fridge. However, it’s easier to frost the cake when it’s chilled. Just frost the cake on the day of serving to keep the fruits fresh. You can also prepare the frosting a day before and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. And to make it easier to spread, let it come to room temperature before using.
Serving and Storage Instructions
When I’m too lazy to make the buttercream frosting, I use my good buddy Cool Whip to skip the whisking. And surprisingly, it’s stable, too. So, yay! As for the leftover, which is very unlikely to happen, you can store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days or up to 3 months if frozen. You can also wrap it tightly with foil and place it inside a freezer-safe resealable bag before refrigerating or freezing.
What to Serve with Flag Cake
I always enjoy my slice of happiness with a warm cup of tea or coffee. But if you’re not a fan of these two hot beverages, you might want to try these refreshing beverages below.
More Indulgent Cake Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Making a cake representing our beloved flag warms my heart. I get to honor our troops for restoring our independence and enjoy a delicious cake at the same time. What else do you plan on making for Independence Day? Check out my 4th of July Recipes to help you plan your menu this coming holiday. 😉
