The Perfect Patriotic Ina Garten American Flag Cake Recipe
Ina Garten’s american flag cake bursts with patriotic spirit, transforming a simple dessert into a festive masterpiece.
This stunning creation weaves together classic flavors and artistic design, making every slice a celebration of summer.
Soft, velvety layers adorned with vibrant berries tell a delicious story of national pride.
Creamy frosting blankets the cake, creating a canvas that delights both eyes and taste buds.
Garten’s recipe proves that baking can be an elegant yet approachable art form accessible to everyone.
Seasonal ingredients and clever techniques elevate this dessert from ordinary to extraordinary.
Dazzle your friends and family with a sweet tribute that screams summer celebration!
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Calories: 509 kcal
Servings: 11
Ingredients List for Ina Garten American Flag Cake
For Wet Ingredients:For Dry Ingredients:For Decoration:Tools Needed for Ina Garten American Flag Cake
Baking Steps for Ina Garten American Flag Cake
Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and lovingly coat a large baking sheet with butter and a light dusting of flour, ensuring nothing sticks.
Grab an electric mixer and beat butter and sugar into a cloud-like, fluffy dream that looks light as air. Crack in eggs, splash some sour cream, and add a dash of vanilla, blending until silky smooth.
Sift together flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda, creating a delicate powder mixture that will transform your cake’s texture.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring with a tender touch. Stop mixing the moment everything looks wonderfully combined to keep the cake tender and light.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean, signaling a perfectly baked treat.
Blend softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until silky. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a dreamy, spreadable consistency.
Spread the white frosting across the entire cake. Arrange blueberries to create a star-studded corner and line up raspberries to form vibrant red stripes, transforming your cake into a festive celebration of American spirit.
Customizing the Look of the American Flag Cake
Explore different flavor variations by swapping vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract, adding depth and uniqueness to your dessert.
Experiment with buttercream or whipped cream frosting instead of cream cheese for a lighter, airier topping that complements the cake’s rich texture.
Substitute blueberries and raspberries with strawberries, blackberries, or even chopped seasonal fruits to create your own patriotic or festive design.
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the cake’s delicious taste and tender crumb.
Ways to Serve Ina Garten American Flag Cake
How to Store Ina Garten American Flag Cake
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Patriotic Ina Garten American Flag Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 11 1x
Description
Ina Garten’s american flag cake celebrates patriotic desserts with classic red, white, and blue styling. Homemade buttercream frosting and fresh berries make this festive layer cake perfect for summer gatherings you’ll want to share.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1–½ pounds (680 g) cream cheese
- 1 pound (454 g) unsalted butter
- 3 cups (375 g) sugar
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream, at room temperature
- 18 tbsps (2-¼ sticks or 255 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 half-pints blueberries
- 3 half-pints raspberries
- 1–½ tsps pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (40 g) cornstarch
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously coat an 18 x 12 x 1.5-inch sheet pan with butter and flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Creaming: Utilize a stand mixer to blend butter and sugar vigorously for 3 minutes until the mixture transforms into a pale, voluminous texture.
- Egg Integration: Methodically introduce room-temperature eggs individually, thoroughly incorporating each before adding the next, then fold in sour cream and vanilla extract until achieving a seamless consistency.
- Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and baking soda together, eliminating potential lumps, then delicately fold into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to preserve the batter’s delicate structure.
- Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly across the prepared sheet pan, smoothing with a spatula, and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 22-28 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean.
- Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla until silky, gradually incorporating confectioners’ sugar to develop a glossy, spreadable consistency.
- Decoration: After complete cooling, lavishly spread cream cheese frosting across the cake’s surface, then artfully arrange blueberries and raspberries to craft a patriotic flag-inspired design.
Notes
- Prevent Cake Sticking: Generously grease and flour the pan to ensure smooth cake release without tearing.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter, eggs, and sour cream to reach room temperature for smoother blending and better cake texture.
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold dry ingredients with minimal stirring to maintain a tender, light cake crumb and prevent tough texture.
- Berry Decoration Tip: Arrange blueberries and raspberries strategically when completely cool to create a crisp, clean American flag design.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 509
- Sugar: 66 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 69 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 134 mg
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.