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Red Velvet Flag Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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A show-stopping red velvet cake layered and decorated to resemble a flag, topped with smooth and tangy homemade cream cheese frosting. Perfect for patriotic holidays and celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar)
  • 1 ½ sticks (170g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring (gel or liquid)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
  3. In a mixer bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in red food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
  4. Alternately add dry mixture and buttermilk to wet ingredients, starting and ending with dry. Mix on low speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth and vibrant red.
  5. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool pans for 10 minutes, then transfer layers to cooling racks to cool completely.
  8. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy (3-5 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until creamy. Mix in vanilla and salt.
  9. Assemble cake by placing one layer on a plate, spreading frosting evenly. Repeat with second layer. Top with final layer and apply a thin crumb coat. Chill for 20 minutes.
  10. Decorate cake surface with remaining frosting to create flag stripes. Add blueberries for stars or pipe dots for a festive look.

Notes

Bring eggs and butter to room temperature before starting. Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake light and fluffy. Cool cake layers completely before frosting to prevent melting. Chill frosting briefly if too soft. Use a serrated knife to level cake layers if needed. For gluten-free or dairy-free versions, substitute ingredients as suggested in variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, flag cake, patriotic dessert, easy cake recipe, Fourth of July cake, homemade frosting

Find it online: https://grubella.com/red-velvet-flag-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting-tutorial/