Perfect Patriotic Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A festive and easy-to-make layered cake featuring vibrant red, white, and blue layers with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for patriotic holidays and celebrations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 ½ teaspoons (10g) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 2 cups granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
- Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with 1 cup whole milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain, add red gel food coloring to one, and blue gel food coloring to the other. Stir gently until colors are vibrant and even.
- Pour each colored batter into prepared pans and smooth tops gently. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat 16 oz softened cream cheese with ½ cup softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar, mixing on low to avoid sugar clouds. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, then beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
- Assemble cake by placing red layer on serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Repeat with white and blue layers, frosting between each. Finish by frosting top and sides smoothly.
- Chill cake for at least one hour to set frosting. Garnish with fresh berries or edible stars if desired.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing and texture. Avoid overmixing batter to prevent toughness. Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning batter. Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent sliding. If frosting is too soft, chill briefly; if too stiff, add a tablespoon of milk or cream. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze layers separately for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of c
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: patriotic cake, layered cake, cream cheese frosting, Fourth of July dessert, easy cake recipe, red white and blue cake