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Perfect Red White and Blue Layer Cake Recipe Easy Patriotic Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting

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A festive and moist red, white, and blue layer cake with tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for summer celebrations and patriotic holidays.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
  • 1 tablespoon blue gel food coloring
  • 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round pans or line with parchment paper rounds.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using a mixer on medium speed, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Reduce mixer to low speed and alternately add dry ingredients with buttermilk and vanilla extract, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one, blue gel food coloring to another, and leave the third plain. Stir gently until uniform.
  7. Pour each colored batter into prepared pans and smooth the tops.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. Rotate pans halfway through baking if needed.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  10. Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth, about 3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low then high speed until fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract and salt.
  11. Assemble cake by placing blue layer on serving plate, spreading frosting on top, then white layer with frosting, and red layer on top. Apply a thin crumb coat and chill 15-20 minutes.
  12. Apply a final smooth layer of frosting. Refrigerate cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning batter. Room temperature ingredients ensure even baking. Chill layers before frosting to avoid melting. For a dairy-free or gluten-free option, substitute ingredients accordingly. Dip spatula in hot water and wipe clean between frosting strokes for a silky finish.

Nutrition

Keywords: red white and blue cake, patriotic dessert, cream cheese frosting, layer cake, 4th of July cake, easy cake recipe, summer dessert

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