Description
Celebrate any occasion with this patriotic American Flag Cake, featuring layers of moist vanilla cake decorated with fresh raspberries and blueberries to resemble the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag. The cake is beautifully layered with a smooth cream cheese frosting, making it as delightful to taste as it is to behold.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup shortening or softened butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups whole or 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- 5 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup red raspberries
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3 tbsp cream or milk
- 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Decoration
- 32 oz red raspberries (approximately 83 berries)
- 12 oz blueberries (approximately 48 berries)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a separate large bowl, cream the shortening (or softened butter) with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the milk and vanilla extract alternately with the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined. Finally, gently fold in the egg whites until the batter is smooth and well blended.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into two greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool completely on wire racks before removing them from the pans.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the cream or milk and vanilla extract until the frosting has a spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top. Arrange a layer of blueberries and red raspberries on the frosting if desired for internal decoration. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting evenly.
- Decorate the Cake to Look Like the American Flag: Using fresh red raspberries, create the red stripes of the flag by arranging them in rows on the cake’s top surface and sides. Next, arrange the blueberries in the top left corner (canton) of the cake to represent the stars section of the flag. Make sure the berries are spaced closely together to mimic the flag’s iconic look.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients help create a lighter, fluffier cake.
- Use fresh, firm berries for the best appearance and taste.
- The number of berries may vary depending on their size; adjust accordingly.
- For a more vibrant color, opt for clear vanilla extract instead of imitation vanilla.
- Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.