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

• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter for richer flavor and better control of salt content.
• Sugar: Choose fine granulated sugar for smoother mixing and consistent sweetness.
• Eggs: Pick fresh, room-temperature eggs for better incorporation and smoother batter texture.
• Sour Cream: Opt for full-fat sour cream to enhance moisture and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for deeper, more authentic flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Select soft, room-temperature cream cheese for silky frosting.

• All-Purpose Flour: Use fresh, sifted flour to prevent lumps and ensure even mixing.
• Cornstarch: Select pure cornstarch to help create a tender cake texture.
• Salt: Use fine table salt for even distribution.
• Baking Soda: Ensure fresh baking soda for proper rising.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Choose fine-ground powdered sugar for smooth frosting.

• Blueberries: Select ripe, firm blueberries with deep blue color.
• Raspberries: Choose plump, bright red raspberries for vibrant stripes.

Tools Needed for Ina Garten American Flag Cake

• Electric mixer: Essential for whipping butter, sugar, and creating smooth batters.
• Large mixing bowls: Perfect for combining wet and dry ingredients.
• Sheet pan (18 x 12 x 1-1/2-inch): Ideal size for baking a large, even cake.
• Sifter: Crucial for removing lumps from dry ingredients and ensuring smooth texture.
• Rubber spatula: Great for gently folding ingredients and preventing overmixing.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps maintain precise ingredient quantities.
• Toothpick: Useful for checking cake doneness.
• Offset spatula: Helps spread frosting evenly across the cake surface.
• Cooling rack: Allows cake to cool completely before frosting.

Baking Steps for Ina Garten American Flag Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

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.

• Whip Up the Base

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.

• Merge Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda, creating a delicate powder mixture that will transform your cake’s texture.

• Create Magical Batter

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.

• Bake to Perfection

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.

• Craft Dreamy Frosting

Blend softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until silky. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a dreamy, spreadable consistency.

• Design Patriotic Masterpiece

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

• Serve Up Festive Slices: Cut the cake into classic rectangular pieces, perfect for a Fourth of July gathering or summer celebration.
• Pair with Cool Companions: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the cake's rich, creamy texture.
• Elevate with Fresh Berries: Scatter extra blueberries and raspberries around the plated slice for a burst of fresh flavor and added visual appeal.
• Create Portable Treats: Slice into smaller squares for easy grab-and-go dessert options at picnics, barbecues, or potluck parties.

How to Store Ina Garten American Flag Cake

• Maximize Freshness: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum moisture and flavor retention.
• Refrigerate with Care: When topped with cream cheese frosting, cover the cake loosely and refrigerate for 4-5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore its soft texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Portion and Preserve: Cut the cake into individual servings and separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This method makes grabbing a quick slice easier and maintains the cake's delightful texture.

Patriotic Ina Garten American Flag Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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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.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Generously coat an 18 x 12 x 1.5-inch sheet pan with butter and flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Creaming: Utilize a stand mixer to blend butter and sugar vigorously for 3 minutes until the mixture transforms into a pale, voluminous texture.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla until silky, gradually incorporating confectioners’ sugar to develop a glossy, spreadable consistency.
7. 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