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Fourth of July Cake: Recipes, Decorations, and More!

  • Total Time: 180 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 servings 1x

Description

A festive red, white, and blue layer cake perfect for patriotic holidays! This vanilla cake is layered with vanilla buttercream frosting, colored red and blue, and decorated with sprinkles and fresh berries.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Blue gel food coloring
  • Assorted red, white, and blue sprinkles
  • Fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate large bowl (or stand mixer), cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. In a large bowl (or stand mixer), cream the softened butter until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
  11. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with more cream or powdered sugar as needed.
  12. Divide the frosting into three bowls.
  13. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl, blue gel food coloring to another bowl, and leave the third bowl white. Mix each bowl until the color is evenly distributed.
  14. If your cakes have a dome on top, use a serrated knife to level them.
  15. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of white frosting over the top.
  16. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. Spread a generous layer of blue frosting over the top.
  17. Carefully place the third cake layer on top of the blue frosting.
  18. Apply a thin layer of white frosting over the entire cake. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
  19. Apply a final, thicker layer of white frosting over the entire cake. Smooth the frosting with a spatula or icing smoother.
  20. Decorate the cake with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
  21. Arrange fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries on top of the cake.
  22. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Make sure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature.
  • Don’t overmix the batter.
  • Cool cakes completely before frosting.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors.
  • Don’t skip the crumb coat!
  • Get creative with decorations.
  • Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

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Find it online: https://www.sweetbananachef.com/fourth-of-july-cake/