The Ultimate Stars and Stripes Flag Cake: A Dazzling Patriotic Recipe for Your 4th of July Celebration

A patriotic red, white, and blue cake, perfectly adorned with fresh berries, ideal for any national holiday celebration!

As the 4th of July approaches, anticipation builds for a day filled with sunshine, gatherings, and delicious food. Our nation’s Independence Day in the U.S.A. calls for a truly spectacular dessert, and what could be more fitting than a show-stopping U.S.A. Stars and Stripes Flag Cake? This year, I embarked on a mission to bake a version of this beloved patriotic dessert, taking inspiration from the classic recipe by Ina Garten and adding a few personal touches to make it truly unforgettable. This cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a vibrant centerpiece that captures the spirit of freedom and celebration, making it an absolute must-have for your holiday feast.

This particular flag cake recipe yields a confection that is truly HUGE and utterly AMAZING! Its impressive size and incredible flavor guarantee it will be the undisputed highlight of any party or get-together. It’s designed to feed a crowd, ensuring that every guest gets to enjoy a generous slice of this patriotic delight. My husband, ever the honest critic, enthusiastically declared, “Yes, that’s truly a good cake!” – and coming from him, that’s high praise indeed. Prepare for an abundance of compliments and requests for the recipe!

Now, let’s be upfront: this cake is a delightful indulgence, a true diet-buster in the best possible way. Loaded with rich, creamy frosting and moist cake layers, it’s a treat meant for celebration, not for counting calories. Consider this your friendly warning! While I, with great restraint, managed to only enjoy a few bites, like a truly good girl, I fully encourage you to savor every single crumb without guilt. After all, special occasions call for extraordinary desserts, and this American flag cake certainly qualifies. It’s the perfect excuse to let loose and indulge in something truly special with your loved ones.

Luscious cream cheese icing serves as the perfect canvas for fresh, vibrant raspberries and blueberries, bringing the American flag to life.

The visual appeal of this flag cake is just as captivating as its taste. Adorned with plump, juicy blueberries to represent the stars and bright, ripe raspberries arranged in perfect stripes, it’s a culinary masterpiece that embodies the spirit of patriotism. The contrast of the sweet berries against the creamy white frosting creates an irresistible invitation to dive in. It’s not just a dessert; it’s an edible work of art that will make your celebration table truly stand out. Whether it’s for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, or any occasion that calls for a touch of American pride, this cake delivers on all fronts.

A Beautiful and Delicious Celebration Cake: Your Go-To Patriotic Dessert!

Creating this stunning Stars and Stripes Flag Cake is a rewarding experience, yielding a dessert that is both visually magnificent and incredibly delicious. This recipe, adapted from a beloved classic, ensures a moist cake base topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting and decorated with fresh berries that burst with flavor. It’s a versatile recipe, perfect for home bakers of all skill levels, and allows for minor adjustments to suit your preferences, as I’ve noted in my modifications. The key to its success lies in using quality ingredients and allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting, ensuring a smooth, picture-perfect finish.

Stars and Stripes Flag Cake

Ingredients for a Stunning American Flag Cake

To achieve the perfect balance of flavor and texture for this patriotic flag cake, using high-quality ingredients at the correct temperatures is crucial. This recipe calls for fresh dairy, premium vanilla, and vibrant berries to ensure a truly exceptional dessert.

For the Cake

2-¼ sticks of butter, room temperature (essential for a smooth batter)
3 cups of granulated sugar (for perfect sweetness)
6 jumbo eggs, room temperature (helps with emulsification and cake texture)
1 cup sour cream, room temperature (adds moisture and tenderness)
2 tsps. pure vanilla extract (I increased this from 1-½ tsp. for a richer aroma and flavor)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup corn starch (contributes to a softer, more tender crumb)
½ tsp. salt (balances the sweetness)
1 tsp. baking soda (for leavening)

For the Cream Cheese Icing

4 sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature (forms the base of the creamy frosting)
1-½ lbs. cream cheese (I used mascarpone cheese because it is sweeter and creates an incredibly smooth frosting)
1 lb. + 1 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar (I added the extra cup for a sweeter, firmer icing)
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I increased this from 1-½ tsp. for enhanced flavor)

For Decoration and Garnish

1 pint of fresh blueberries (for the “stars” section of your flag)
3 – 4 pints of fresh raspberries (for the vibrant “stripes”)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Patriotic Flag Cake

Follow these detailed steps to bake and decorate your magnificent Stars and Stripes Flag Cake. Precision and patience are key to achieving a beautifully presented and delicious dessert that will impress everyone.

Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees (175 C). Ensure the oven is fully preheated for even baking.
Prepare your baking pan: Butter and flour an 18 x 13 x 1-½” sheet pan. If you don’t have this exact size, a 17 x 11″ baking pan works well, but note that it will require a slightly longer baking time.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This incorporates air, making your cake tender.
Reduce mixer speed to medium. Add the jumbo eggs two at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This ensures the eggs are fully incorporated without curdling the batter.
Stir in the room temperature sour cream and pure vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until just combined, taking care to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl to ensure all ingredients are well blended.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, corn starch, salt, and baking soda. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter mixture on low speed. Mix until just well blended; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
Carefully pour the prepared cake batter into your buttered and floured baking pan.
Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the cake batter evenly across the pan to ensure uniform thickness and baking.
Bake in the center of the preheated oven. If using the smaller 17×11″ pan, bake for approximately 40 – 50 minutes. For a larger sheet pan (18×13″), baking time will be shorter, typically 20 – 30 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a critical step; frosting a warm cake will cause the icing to melt!

Prepare the Creamy Icing

In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, cream cheese (or mascarpone), confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract.
Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together until the icing is completely smooth, light, and fluffy. This may take several minutes.

Decorate the Cake with Patriotic Flair

Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the prepared cream cheese icing evenly all over the top of the cake, creating a smooth, white surface.
Carefully arrange the fresh blueberries in the upper-left corner of the cake to form the “stars” portion of the American flag. Create a rectangular blue field.
Arrange the fresh raspberries in straight, horizontal lines across the remaining white icing to represent the “stripes” portion of the flag. Alternate between raspberry stripes and visible white icing stripes for the best effect.

Helpful Notes and Tips for Your Flag Cake

Here are some additional tips to ensure your Stars and Stripes Flag Cake is a resounding success:

*Note: Due to the generous amount of butter and cream cheese in the luscious icing, this cake is best stored refrigerated if not served immediately. The frosting can soften considerably at room temperature. For optimal serving, remove the cake from the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before serving to allow it to come to a perfect, tender room temperature.
This recipe is thoughtfully based on Ina Garten’s well-loved flag cake, with several enhancements and changes indicated in parentheses. My adjustments aim to make the cake even more moist, the frosting richer, and the overall flavor profile more robust. Feel free to experiment with these tweaks or follow the original as you prefer!
For the freshest taste, decorate the cake with berries shortly before serving. While the berries hold up well, they look their best when fresh.
Consider outlining your “blue field” for the stars with a light scoring in the frosting before placing blueberries, to help maintain a crisp edge.
If you prefer a less sweet frosting, you can slightly reduce the amount of confectioners’ sugar, but be mindful that this might alter the consistency.

This patriotic flag cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a statement piece that brings joy and festive cheer to any gathering. Its vibrant colors, delightful flavors, and impressive presentation make it truly special. Enjoy the process of baking and sharing this wonderful treat!

Looking for more patriotic dessert ideas for your holiday spread?

You may also enjoy the beloved patriotic fruit pizza that I prepared last year. It’s an old recipe that consistently proves to be a winner, delighting everyone with its fresh flavors and festive appeal! This light and refreshing option offers a fantastic alternative or complement to the rich flag cake, perfect for rounding out your celebratory dessert table.

A delightful sugar cookie-crusted red, white, and blue fruit pizza, another perfect dessert for patriotic celebrations!

Click this link for the full post and recipe for the Red, White and Blue Fruit Pizza! This vibrant dessert, with its sweet glaze and fresh fruit topping, is another fantastic way to showcase your patriotic spirit.