Patriotic Blueberry-Raspberry Flag Cake
Celebrate your next gathering with this stunning Patriotic Blueberry-Raspberry Flag Cake! Inspired by the elegance of American desserts, this sheet cake is a show-stopper. Moist and buttery, the vanilla-flavored base pairs perfectly with a creamy frosting made from rich cream cheese and butter. The cake is beautifully adorned with fresh blueberries and vibrant raspberries, creating the illusion of the American flag. Ideal for summer barbecues, Fourth of July festivities, or any occasion where you want to impress. Serve it directly from the pan for casual gatherings, or transfer it to a decorative board for a more elegant presentation.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
18 (at room temperature)
sugar
3 cups
extra-large eggs
6 (at room temperature)
sour cream
1 cup (at room temperature)
pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons
flour
3 cups
cornstarch
1/3 cup
kosher salt
1 teaspoon
baking soda
1 teaspoon
unsalted butter
1 lb (at room temperature)
cream cheese
1 1/2 lbs (at room temperature)
confectioners' sugar
1 lb (sifted)
pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons
blueberries
1 pint
raspberries
1 1/2 pints
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 18 by 13 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan, ensuring an even coat to prevent sticking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and sugar together with an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
3
Reduce the mixer speed to medium and add the eggs gradually, two at a time, allowing for full incorporation. Follow by adding the sour cream and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well blended.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the cake tender.
5
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula. Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan to room temperature on a wire rack.
7
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In the bowl of the electric mixer, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, cream cheese, sifted confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until well combined, then increase to medium speed until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
8
Spread approximately three-fourths of the frosting evenly over the top of the cooled cake.
9
Outline the American flag design on the frosted surface using a toothpick to create guidelines. Fill the upper left corner with fresh blueberries, and arrange two rows of raspberries horizontally across the top of the cake to represent the red stripes.
10
Use the remaining frosting, placed in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, to pipe alternating rows of white stripes below the raspberry topping. Continue the zigzag pattern until the flag design is complete.
11
For a final touch, pipe stars on top of the blueberries to emulate the stars of the flag.
12
Slice the cake directly in the pan as a relaxed serving option, or use parchment paper to turn it out for a more formal serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the theme of the Patriotic Blueberry-Raspberry Flag Cake?
The cake is designed to resemble the American flag, making it perfect for patriotic celebrations like the Fourth of July.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
What size pan is required for this recipe?
An 18 by 13 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan is needed for this cake.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Grease and flour the pan to ensure an even coat and prevent the cake from sticking.
How long should I cream the butter and sugar?
Beat them on high speed for about 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
What mixer attachment is recommended?
An electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment is recommended for the best results.
How should eggs be added to the batter?
Add the extra-large eggs gradually, two at a time, allowing for full incorporation after each addition.
What ingredient provides the tangy moisture in the cake base?
The cake uses 1 cup of sour cream at room temperature for moisture and flavor.
What dry ingredients are sifted together?
You should sift together flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and baking soda.
Why is cornstarch used in the cake recipe?
Cornstarch is added to the flour mixture to help create a tender and soft cake crumb.
How do I avoid a tough cake texture?
Add the flour mixture on low speed and mix until just combined; do not overmix.
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cake typically bakes for 20 to 30 minutes.
How can I tell when the cake is done?
The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Where should the cake cool after baking?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan to room temperature on a wire rack.
What are the main components of the frosting?
The frosting is made from unsalted butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract.
How should the confectioners' sugar be prepared for the frosting?
The confectioners' sugar should be sifted to ensure the frosting is smooth and free of lumps.
How much frosting is spread initially over the cake?
Spread approximately three-fourths of the frosting evenly over the top of the cooled cake.
How do I create the flag design guidelines?
Use a toothpick to lightly outline the American flag design on the frosted surface.
Which fruit is used to represent the stars of the flag?
Fresh blueberries are used to fill the upper left corner to represent the stars.
Which fruit is used for the red stripes?
Fresh raspberries are arranged horizontally across the cake to represent the red stripes.
How are the white stripes created?
The remaining frosting is placed in a pastry bag with a star tip to pipe zigzag white stripes.
How do I add the 'stars' on the blueberries?
Use the pastry bag and star tip to pipe small frosting stars directly on top of the blueberries.
Can I serve the cake directly from the pan?
Yes, slicing the cake directly in the pan is a great option for casual gatherings.
How can I transfer the cake to a decorative board?
Use parchment paper when baking to help turn the cake out for a more formal presentation.
What type of butter is best for this recipe?
Unsalted butter at room temperature is recommended for both the cake and the frosting.
How many raspberries are needed for the decoration?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 pints of fresh raspberries.
Is the vanilla flavor prominent in this cake?
Yes, the recipe uses pure vanilla extract in both the cake batter and the cream cheese frosting.
How many eggs are required?
This recipe requires 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
What is the total amount of cream cheese used?
The frosting requires 1 1/2 lbs of room temperature cream cheese.