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An American Flag Cake decorated with blueberries and star-shaped icing for the stars, and rows of sliced strawberries for the stripes. A corner piece is missing. Small US flags and blueberries are nearby on the table.
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5 from 1 vote

American Flag Cake

This beautiful red, white, and blue American flag cake is the perfect dessert for any Memorial Day or 4th of July gathering.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time16 minutes
Total Time41 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: American Flag Cake Recipe
Servings: 16
Calories: 417kcal
Author: Stephanie Keeping

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Frosting

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, very cold
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 6.8 ounces instant vanilla pudding (two 3.4-ounce boxes)
  • 16 ounces whipped topping, thawed (two 8-ounce containers)

Toppings

  • 48 large fresh blueberries
  • 26 to 28 fresh strawberries, halved

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 12x17x1-inch half sheet pan with non-stick baker’s spray and set aside.
  • Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
    A metal sifter holding flour and baking powder is positioned over a clear glass mixing bowl on a white marble surface, prepping ingredients for an American Flag Cake Recipe.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the granulated sugar and unsalted butter on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes or until very light and fluffy.
  • Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Be sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding the next. Scrape the bowl and paddle as needed to ensure even mixing of the ingredients.
  • Add the sour cream and vegetable oil. Mix on low speed just until fully combined.
  • With the mixer on low, add a third of the flour mixture, followed by ½ cup of the buttermilk, another third of the flour mixture, the remaining ½ cup buttermilk, and the final third of the flour mixture. Be sure to allow each addition to fully incorporate into the batter before adding the next. Scrape the bowl and paddle as needed to ensure the batter is evenly combined.
  • Spread the batter into an even layer in the prepared pan.
    A hand is using an offset spatula to evenly spread batter for an American Flag Cake onto a rectangular metal baking sheet on a white marble surface.
  • Bake for 16-18 minutes or just until the edges are very lightly browned and the center springs back when lightly pressed. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before adding the frosting and berries.
    A rectangular sheet pan filled with a layer of plain yellow cake, ready to be transformed into a festive American Flag Cake on a white marble surface.

Frosting

  • Using a large mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on low speed, add the cold milk and powdered sugar. Beat for 15-30 seconds or until the powdered sugar is fully dissolved into the milk.
  • Add the vanilla instant pudding mix and beat for 1 to 1 ½ minutes or just until thickened. Set aside for 2-3 minutes to fully set.
    A hand stirs a creamy white mixture with a spatula in a glass bowl on a white marble surface, preparing the base for an American Flag Cake Recipe.
  • Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until thoroughly combined.
  • Spread about two-thirds of the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
    A hand uses an offset spatula to spread white frosting over a rectangular sheet cake on a metal baking tray, preparing the base for an American Flag Cake, set on a marble surface.
  • Transfer the remaining frosting to a large piping bag fitted with a large decorative piping tip.
  • Top the cake with the fresh blueberries and strawberry halves in the pattern of the American flag. In the upper left hand corner place 6 rows, with 8 blueberries in each row, to create the blue area where the stars go.
    A hand places blueberries in neat rows on the top left corner of a large rectangular tray filled with creamy white dessert, set on a marble surface—perfect for an American Flag Cake.
  • Then place the halved strawberries in rows across the rest of the frosted cake (representing the red strips of the flag), being sure to leave some white space between rows of strawberries.
    An American Flag Cake sits on a marble surface, decorated with blueberries for the blue corner and rows of halved strawberries as red stripes atop white frosting—a perfect treat for your next American Flag Cake Recipe celebration.
  • Pipe the remaining frosting in straight lines in the space between the strawberry rows to represent the white strips of the flag.
    A festive American Flag Cake decorated with sliced strawberries for red stripes, piped white frosting for white stripes, and blueberries with frosted stars creating the blue field—perfect for any patriotic celebration.

Notes

  • Don’t forget to properly thaw your frozen whipped topping before adding to the pudding mix for the frosting. This will ensure the proper consistency when mixed.

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 449IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1mg
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