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Perfect Classic American Flag Sheet Cake Recipe for Easy Patriotic Celebrations

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A quick and easy vanilla sheet cake decorated with red, white, and blue frosting to resemble the American flag, perfect for patriotic celebrations like the Fourth of July.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120g) sour cream
  • 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 3–4 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream (for frosting)
  • Red and blue gel food coloring
  • Fresh blueberries (for star decoration)
  • Strawberries or raspberries, sliced (optional, for extra red detail)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch sheet pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a mixer bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and scrape down sides.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add one-third of flour mixture, then half of the milk, another third of flour, sour cream, and remaining flour, mixing just until combined after each addition.
  6. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap pan lightly to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid opening oven early.
  8. Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely before frosting.
  9. For frosting, beat softened butter until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar alternating with milk, beat on medium-high until light and fluffy (4-5 minutes). Stir in vanilla extract.
  10. Divide frosting into three portions. Tint one-third blue and another third red with gel food coloring; leave the rest white.
  11. Spread white frosting over entire cake as base layer.
  12. Using an offset spatula, create a blue square in the top left corner (about one-third width and height). Smooth carefully.
  13. Create about 7 horizontal stripes alternating red and white across the rest of the cake (four red, three white).
  14. Use a small piping tip or toothpick to dot small white frosting stars inside the blue square or place fresh blueberries in rows to represent stars.
  15. Optionally, add sliced strawberries along the red stripes for extra color and flavor.
  16. Chill the cake for 15 minutes before serving to set the frosting.

Notes

Use softened butter (not melted) for best creaming results. Sift flour and powdered sugar for light texture and smooth frosting. Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning frosting. Chill cake after frosting to set and prevent smudging. If frosting softens while decorating, refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.

Nutrition

Keywords: American flag cake, patriotic cake, Fourth of July dessert, sheet cake, vanilla cake, easy cake recipe, red white and blue cake

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/perfect-classic-american-flag-sheet-cake-recipe-for-easy-patriotic-celebrations/