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Perfect Red Velvet Flag Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Tutorial

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A moist and tender red velvet cake with a subtle cocoa undertone, layered with silky homemade cream cheese frosting, assembled in a patriotic flag design. Perfect for celebrations or simple gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp (5 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp (4 g) baking soda
  • ½ tsp (3 g) salt
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil, preferably neutral-flavored
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) red food coloring gel
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) white vinegar
  • 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, full fat, softened
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or nonstick spray, dust with flour, and line bottoms with parchment paper rounds.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Whisk to combine evenly.
  3. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, red food coloring gel, vanilla extract, and white vinegar.
  4. Slowly pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Mix on low speed or fold with spatula until just combined; do not overmix.
  5. Divide batter: pour about two-thirds evenly into the two pans. Reserve remaining third for white stripe layers (optional: tint with white food coloring or leave plain).
  6. Bake cakes for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely (about 1 hour).
  8. Prepare frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth (~2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy but not overwhipped. Add pinch of salt.
  9. Slice cakes horizontally if desired for thinner layers. Spread frosting between layers. Use reserved batter baked as thin sheets or pipe frosting stripes for flag’s white stripes.
  10. Assemble layers to mimic flag pattern with alternating red velvet and frosting stripes. Use toothpicks to guide placement if needed.
  11. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over entire cake; chill in fridge for 20 minutes.
  12. Apply final smooth coat of frosting using offset spatula. Chill again to set before serving.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to keep batter thick and vibrant. Do not overmix batter or frosting to maintain tender crumb and proper frosting texture. Chill cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. If frosting is too stiff, add a teaspoon of milk to loosen. For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and butter alternatives and dairy-free milk with lemon juice as buttermilk substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, flag cake, patriotic dessert, easy cake recipe, homemade frosting, celebration cake

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