Go Back
+ servings

American Flag Layered Cake

Celebrate the Fourth of July with this show-stopping patriotic vanilla cake featuring bold red, white, and blue layers, smooth buttercream frosting, and festive decorations
5 from 1 vote
Print Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
Course: cake degoration, Celebration Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: american cake, patriotic cake
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill + Decorating Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings: 12 slices

Equipment

  • 3 round 9-inch cake pans
  • Mixing bowls (at least 3)
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Piping bags + Wilton color swirl set (optional)
  • Offset spatula and serrated knife
  • Cooling rack
  • Cake stand or board

Ingredients

  • For the Cake Layers:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1½ cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • Red and blue gel food coloring
  • For the Buttercream Frosting:
  • 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable shortening
  • 9 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tsp clear vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup whole milk adjust for consistency
  • Optional: white food coloring + a dot of violet to neutralize yellow tint
  • Red and blue gel food coloring for piping swirls
  • Sprinkles and mini flags for decorating

Instructions

  • Bake the Cake Layers
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour the three cake pans.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
  • Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk into the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry.
  • Divide the batter evenly into 3 bowls:
  • One stays plain (white layer)
  • One gets red food coloring
  • One gets blue food coloring
  • Pour into prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool completely on wire racks. Level the tops with a serrated knife if needed.
  • Make the Buttercream
  • Beat butter and shortening until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar.
  • Add vanilla and milk, beating until creamy and spreadable.
  • Tint 1 cup frosting red, and 1 cup blue. The rest stays white. Use violet + white color if needed to brighten it.
  • Assemble the Cake
  • Add a dab of frosting on your cake stand and place parchment strips to keep it clean.
  • Place the blue cake layer first. Spread white frosting on top.
  • Add the white layer. Frost again.
  • Finish with the red cake layer on top.
  • Apply a thin crumb coat around the cake. Chill for 30 minutes.
  • Add final smooth layer of frosting.
  • Decorate
  • Press sprinkles around the sides or base.
  • Use red and blue frosting to pipe swirls on top. Insert mini American flags or sugar stars if desired.

Notes

  • For whiter frosting: a dot of violet neutralizes yellow.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant tones without thinning the batter.
  • Chill before final frosting to avoid crumbs.

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chef Marcy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter