Description
Stars and stripes come alive in Ina Garten’s patriotic dessert, a classic American flag cake that celebrates summer gatherings with sweet style. Festive layers of vanilla cake and buttercream create a delightful red, white, and blue masterpiece you’ll proudly serve at any Independence Day celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups sugar
- 1–½ pounds cream cheese
- 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 pound confectioners’ sugar
Dairy and Eggs:
- 6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 18 tablespoons (2–¼ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Flavoring and Berries:
- 1–½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 half-pints blueberries
- 3 half-pints raspberries
Instructions
- Thoroughly grease an 18 x 12 x 1.5-inch (45.7 x 30.5 x 3.8-centimeter) sheet pan with butter, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
- In a stand mixer, vigorously blend softened butter and granulated sugar for approximately 3 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous.
- Incorporate room-temperature eggs one at a time, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
- Fold in sour cream and pure vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
- Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared sheet pan, using a spatula to spread it smoothly.
- Place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and bake for 22-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
- While the cake cools, prepare the frosting by whipping softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla until silky.
- Gradually incorporate confectioners’ sugar, beating until the frosting reaches a spreadable, glossy consistency.
- Once the cake has completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the surface.
- Artfully arrange fresh blueberries and raspberries to create a patriotic flag-inspired design on top of the frosted cake.
Notes
- Celebrate American spirit with this show-stopping dessert that brings families and friends together.
- Create a stunning flag design using fresh berries and vibrant gel food coloring for maximum visual impact.
- Achieve the most tender cake texture by carefully creaming butter and sugar while incorporating room temperature ingredients.
- Prepare ahead with confidence, knowing the cake can be made a day in advance and stored easily.
- Enjoy leftovers for up to 4 days, keeping the patriotic magic alive long after the celebration ends.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 710 kcal
- Sugar: 52 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 82 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg