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Perfect Red Velvet American Flag Sheet Cake

red velvet american flag sheet cake - featured image
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A quick and festive red velvet sheet cake decorated like the American flag, perfect for patriotic celebrations with a moist cake base and creamy cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or dairy-free milk with 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
  • Fresh strawberries, sliced thin (for the stripes)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper if desired.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until smooth and evenly red.
  4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Tap gently to release air bubbles.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 20 minutes.
  7. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
  8. Once the cake is completely cool, spread a thin crumb coat of frosting over the top. Chill the cake for 15 minutes to set the crumb coat.
  9. Apply the final layer of frosting evenly over the cake with an offset spatula.
  10. Use a piping bag or spoon to create stripes with sliced strawberries along the length of the cake.
  11. Arrange blueberries in the upper left corner to form the star section of the flag, pressing gently to stick without sinking.
  12. Chill the finished cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing to let the frosting firm up and hold the design.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant red color. Chill frosting if too soft to pipe or smooth. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts for clean slices. For gluten-free, substitute almond flour. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and butter substitutes. Fresh fruit adds natural color and flavor; thaw frozen fruit well to avoid excess moisture.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, American flag cake, patriotic dessert, Fourth of July cake, cream cheese frosting, easy sheet cake, gluten-free option, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/perfect-red-velvet-american-flag-sheet-cake-recipe-for-easy-patriotic-celebrations/