Flag Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Patriotic Delight

 

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Decoration:

• 1 pint fresh blueberries
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 pint fresh raspberries

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the Cake Batter

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Sift the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

2. Baking the Cake

1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Spread it evenly with a spatula.
2. Bake the cake. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Cool the cake. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Preparing the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat the cream cheese and butter. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and room temperature butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the powdered sugar. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until fully incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla extract. Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.

4. Assembling the Flag Cake

1. Frost the cooled cake. Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top and sides of the cooled cake using an offset spatula to ensure an even layer.
2. Create the flag design with fresh fruit.
   • For the stars: Arrange the blueberries in the top left corner of the cake to form the blue field of the flag.
   • For the stripes: Use the sliced strawberries and raspberries to create alternating red stripes across the cake. Start at the top and work your way down, leaving spaces in between for the white stripes, which will be represented by the frosting.

5. Final Touches

1. Chill the cake. Place the assembled cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set.
2. Serve and enjoy. Slice the cake and serve it chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy the delightful combination of moist cake, creamy frosting, and fresh fruit.

• Use fresh, firm berries to ensure they hold their shape and don’t bleed into the frosting.
• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting, particularly the butter, eggs, and cream cheese. This helps to create a smoother batter and frosting.
• For a more vibrant flag design, consider adding a thin layer of apricot jam under the fruit to enhance their color and help them adhere to the frosting.
• If you prefer a lighter cake, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with cake flour.

By following these detailed instructions, you will create a Flag Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting that not only looks spectacular but tastes divine. This cake is sure to be the star of your patriotic celebration, delighting both the eyes and the taste buds.