Star-Spangled Swirl Cake
Celebrate your next summer gathering with this stunning Star-Spangled Swirl Cake. Inspired by the vibrant colors of our nation's flag, this cake features luscious layers of moist white cake swirled with rich red and blue colors, topped with a delightful drizzled frosting that is both playful and elegant. Perfect for Fourth of July picnics, birthday parties, or any festive occasion, this cake not only looks spectacular but tastes amazing too. Your friends and family will be captivated by its beauty and flavor, making it the highlight of your dessert table. Don't forget to snap a photo before it disappears!
12
Servings
267
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
white cake mix
18.25 ounces (Use Betty Crocker Super Moist white cake mix.)
warm water
1.25 cups (Warm slightly before mixing.)
vegetable oil
1/3 cup (Measure out and have ready.)
egg whites
3 (Separate whites from the yolks.)
red food coloring
as needed (Use to color red batter and frosting.)
blue food coloring
as needed (Use to color blue batter and frosting.)
white frosting
12 ounces (Use Betty Crocker Whipped frosting.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and generously grease a 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with non-stick spray or butter.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, warm water, vegetable oil, and egg whites. Follow the mixing instructions on the cake mix package until well combined and smooth.
3
Divide the batter into three separate bowls: pour 1 cup of batter into one bowl and gradually add red food coloring, mixing until you achieve a vibrant red hue. In the second bowl, pour 1 cup of batter and add blue food coloring, mixing until you have a bright blue color. Leave the remaining batter white.
4
Start by pouring the red batter into the bottom of the prepared cake pan, ensuring it's evenly spread. Next, carefully layer the remaining white batter over the red layer, gently pouring it in to avoid disrupting the layers.
5
Finally, pour the blue batter over the white layer, allowing it to form a ring in the center rather than covering the entire white layer, for an appealing swirled effect.
6
Bake according to package directions or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, approximately 28-32 minutes.
7
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Carefully invert the pan onto a cooling rack placed over a cookie sheet, allowing the cake to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
8
While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. Divide the white frosting evenly into three microwave-safe bowls.
9
Microwave the first bowl of frosting on High for a few seconds until it becomes smooth and pourable. Drizzle this white frosting over the cooled cake in a back-and-forth striping pattern.
10
For the second bowl, microwave until smooth, then mix in a few drops of blue food coloring until the desired color is achieved. Drizzle this frosting over the cake, also using a back-and-forth motion.
11
Repeat this process with the final bowl of frosting, mixing in red food coloring. Make sure to alternate and allow all three colors to be showcased.
12
Let the cake sit at room temperature for a short while until the frosting has set before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
42g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Star-Spangled Swirl Cake?
It is a festive dessert featuring layers of moist white cake swirled with red and blue colors, inspired by the American flag.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius).
What type of cake pan is required?
A 12-cup fluted tube cake pan is needed for this recipe.
How should I prepare the cake pan?
Generously grease the pan with non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy release.
What are the primary ingredients for the batter?
The batter consists of white cake mix, warm water, vegetable oil, and 3 egg whites.
Which brand of cake mix is recommended?
The recipe suggests using Betty Crocker Super Moist white cake mix.
How many egg whites are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 egg whites, separated from the yolks.
How do I create the red and blue batter layers?
Divide the batter into three bowls, adding red food coloring to 1 cup and blue food coloring to another 1 cup.
In what order should the batter be layered in the pan?
Start with the red batter on the bottom, followed by the white batter, and finally the blue batter in the center.
How do I achieve the swirled effect in the cake?
The swirl is achieved by layering colors and allowing the blue batter to form a ring in the center of the white layer.
How long does the cake need to bake?
The cake should bake for approximately 28 to 32 minutes.
How do I check if the cake is done?
Insert a toothpick near the center; it should come out clean when the cake is finished baking.
How long should the cake cool in the pan?
Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before inverting it onto a cooling rack.
What is the total cooling time for the cake?
The cake should cool completely on a rack for about 30 minutes before frosting.
What kind of frosting should I use?
The recipe recommends using 12 ounces of Betty Crocker Whipped white frosting.
How do I prepare the frosting for drizzling?
Divide the frosting into three bowls and microwave each on high for a few seconds until smooth and pourable.
How do I color the frosting?
Leave one bowl of frosting white, and add red and blue food coloring to the other two bowls until the desired hues are achieved.
What is the best way to drizzle the frosting?
Use a back-and-forth striping pattern, alternating colors to showcase the red, white, and blue.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This cake yields approximately 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 267 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
One serving of the cake contains 10 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each slice?
There are approximately 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in a serving?
Each slice provides about 2.5 grams of protein.
What occasions are best for this cake?
It is perfect for Fourth of July picnics, summer birthday parties, or any patriotic celebration.
Should the water used in the batter be cold or warm?
The recipe specifies using 1.25 cups of warm water for the batter mix.
Do I need to wait for the frosting to set?
Yes, let the cake sit at room temperature until the frosting has set before slicing and serving.
What is the best way to present the cake?
Invert it onto a platter and use a back-and-forth drizzling motion with colored frosting for an elegant and playful look.
Can I use different colors for other holidays?
Yes, while this is designed for patriotic themes, you can swap colors for other celebrations like Halloween or Christmas.
What should I do if the frosting is too thick to drizzle?
Microwave it for a few additional seconds until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
Does the recipe include fiber or sodium information?
The provided nutrition facts do not list specific values for fiber or sodium for this recipe.