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Perfect Firecracker Red White and Blue Layer Cake

firecracker red white and blue layer cake - featured image
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A bright, fun, and surprisingly simple patriotic layer cake with vibrant red, white, and blue layers, moist buttery cake, and a fluffy cream cheese frosting perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2¾ cups (344g) all-purpose flour
  • 2½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Blue gel food coloring
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (for desired frosting consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans or line with parchment rounds.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. With mixer on low, alternately add one-third of the flour mixture and half of the buttermilk, ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain for the white layer.
  7. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl and blue gel food coloring to another. Stir gently until vibrant and smooth.
  8. Pour each colored batter into prepared pans, smoothing tops with a spatula. Tap pans gently to release air bubbles.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  10. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks to cool completely.
  11. For frosting, beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar on low speed.
  12. Add vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon cream. If frosting is too stiff, add more cream one teaspoon at a time until spreadable.
  13. Assemble cake by placing red layer on serving plate, spreading frosting evenly. Repeat with white and blue layers.
  14. Frost top and sides of entire cake smoothly. Optionally decorate with edible stars or fresh blueberries and strawberries.

Notes

Bring eggs and dairy to room temperature before mixing for smoother batter and even rise. Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without flavor. Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. Weigh batter portions for consistent layers. Can substitute buttermilk with milk plus lemon juice. For dairy-free or gluten-free versions, use plant-based alternatives and almond flour respectively.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic cake, red white and blue cake, layer cake, Fourth of July dessert, easy celebration cake, cream cheese frosting

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/perfect-firecracker-red-white-and-blue-layer-cake-recipe-for-easy-patriotic-celebrations/