Stars and Stripes Grand Finale Cake

This Stars and Stripes Grand Finale Cake is a showstopper dessert that is perfect for patriotic celebrations such as the 4th of July. The cake features layers of moist vanilla cake, velvety cream cheese frosting, and bursts of vibrant red and blue in the form of fresh berries. With its rich flavors and stunning presentation, this cake is sure to be the star of any festive gathering. It takes about 2 hours to prepare and serves 12-16 people.

Ingredients

• For the Cake:
• - 2 cups all-purpose flour
• - 2 teaspoons baking powder
• - 1/2 teaspoon salt
• - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• - 2 cups granulated sugar
• - 4 large eggs
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 1 cup whole milk
• - Red gel food coloring
• - Blue gel food coloring
• For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
• - 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• - 4 cups powdered sugar
• - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• - Fresh strawberries, for decoration
• - Fresh blueberries, for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly into three bowls.
7. Leave one bowl plain, add red gel food coloring to another bowl, and blue gel food coloring to the third bowl. Mix until well combined.
8. Pour the batters into the prepared cake pans, creating one red layer, one white layer, and one blue layer.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
10. Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
12. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined and fluffy.
13. Place the red cake layer on a serving platter and spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top.
14. Place the white cake layer on top of the frosting and spread another layer of frosting.
15. Repeat with the blue cake layer, spreading frosting on top.
16. Use the remaining cream cheese frosting to frost the sides of the cake.
17. Decorate the top of the cake with fresh strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a stars and stripes pattern.
18. Serve and enjoy!

Interesting Facts