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Show-Stopping Red Velvet Flag Cake Recipe with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

red velvet flag cake - featured image
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A visually dramatic and delicious red velvet cake designed in a patriotic flag pattern, paired with a silky, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for summer gatherings and festive occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (312.5 g), sifted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400 g)
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (7.5 g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (5 g)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (3 g)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml), room temperature (or dairy-free milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (240 ml)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring (liquid or gel)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar (5 ml)
  • 16 oz cream cheese (450 g), softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (115 g), softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 g), sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9×13-inch pans and line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until smooth.
  4. Slowly pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients while mixing on low speed until just combined. Batter should be smooth and bright red.
  5. Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
  6. Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks and cool completely (about 45 minutes).
  7. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating from low to high speed until creamy. Mix in vanilla extract and salt.
  8. Slice each cooled cake horizontally into three equal strips.
  9. Arrange strips on a serving platter in a flag pattern, alternating cake strips and frosting-covered strips to mimic stripes. Use a piping bag or spoon to add frosting dots or stars in the top-left corner.
  10. Chill the assembled cake for 30 minutes to firm up frosting before slicing.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for a richer red color without adding extra liquid. Chill cake layers before slicing to reduce crumbling. Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake tender. Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened but not melted for smooth frosting. Use a serrated knife with gentle sawing motion for clean cuts. Chill assembled cake to firm frosting and maintain flag design.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/show-stopping-red-velvet-flag-cake-recipe-with-easy-cream-cheese-frosting/