Dazzling Patriotic Treat: Barefoot Contessa’s Flag Cake Recipe

Summer celebrations burst with patriotic spirit when you whip up this classic Barefoot Contessa flag cake recipe that promises to steal the show at any gathering.

Bold red, white, and blue layers create a stunning visual masterpiece that’s both delicious and festive.

Every slice tells a story of culinary creativity and national pride.

The cake combines simple ingredients with elegant technique, making it approachable for bakers of all skill levels.

Fresh berries and creamy frosting add a delightful twist to this iconic dessert.

Guests will marvel at your baking prowess and ask for seconds before the first bite is finished.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s make magic happen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 660 kcal

Servings: 12

Flag Cake Ingredients Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake, providing structure and tender crumb. Choose unbleached flour for a more natural flavor and better texture..
• Cornflour: Adds delicate softness and helps create a silky, light cake texture. Look for finely milled cornflour for the best results..
• Bicarbonate of Soda: The secret leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become wonderfully fluffy. Fresh, recently purchased soda ensures maximum lifting power..
• Salt: Enhances and balances the cake's sweetness, bringing out deeper flavor notes. Use fine sea salt for even distribution..

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and creates a luxurious cake texture. Select high-quality, unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth mixing..
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy moisture and helps create an incredibly soft, tender crumb. Choose full-fat sour cream for maximum richness..
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, creating a smooth and consistent cake. Use large, fresh eggs at room temperature..
• Vanilla: Infuses the cake with warm, aromatic depth. Opt for pure vanilla extract for the most authentic flavor..

• Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy, smooth base for the frosting. Select full-fat cream cheese at room temperature for best blending..
• Icing Sugar: Creates a sweet, smooth frosting with perfect piping consistency. Sift to remove any lumps for a silky finish..
• Raspberries: Creates vibrant red stripes with fresh, bright color. Choose ripe, firm berries for the best visual impact..
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Flag Cake Baking Tools

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, mixing batter, and making smooth icing.
• Paddle Attachment: Crucial for mixing cake batter and ensuring even consistency.
• Sheet Pan (18x13x1 inch): Perfect for baking this large, flat flag cake.
• Sifter: Helps blend dry ingredients evenly and remove lumps.
• Spatula: Great for scraping down mixer sides and smoothing cake batter.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness and outline flag design.
• Mixing Bowls: Necessary for preparing dry ingredients and icing.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Backup option for beating icing if stand mixer is unavailable.
• Piping Bag: Perfect for creating precise flag stripes and star details.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Flag Cake

• Pan Magic: Warm your oven and prepare a spacious baking sheet with a gentle butter and flour coating.
• Butter Bliss: Create a fluffy foundation by whipping butter and sugar into a cloud-like texture. Gently introduce eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until everything blends smoothly.
• Dry Ingredient Dance: Softly combine flour, cornflour, salt, and bicarbonate of soda. Fold these delicate powders into your creamy mixture with tender care.
• Oven Adventure: Bake your creation until a gentle test reveals a perfectly cooked interior. Allow the cake to cool completely, embracing the anticipation of decoration.
• Creamy Canvas: Whip butter, cream cheese, and vanilla into a silky dream. Gradually invite powdered sugar to join the smooth celebration.
• Patriotic Design: Transform your cake into an artistic flag landscape. Spread a generous icing layer, then craft a stunning design using blueberries and raspberries to capture the spirit of celebration.

Helpful Flag Cake Baking Tips

• Swap out raspberries for strawberries or blackberries to add a personal twist to the American flag design.
• Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks, allowing easy advance preparation for special occasions.
• Enhance the cake's taste by adding a teaspoon of almond extract or replacing vanilla with pure bourbon vanilla for a richer, more complex flavor profile.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain the cake's tender texture and structure.
• Use a piping bag with different tip sizes to create precise, clean lines when adding the flag design, ensuring a professional and elegant presentation.

Plating and Decorating the Flag Cake

• Serve Flag Cake with Patriotic Flair: Slice this festive cake at summer barbecues, Fourth of July parties, or Memorial Day gatherings to create a showstopping dessert centerpiece.
• Pair with Refreshing Drinks: Complement the cake's sweetness with chilled lemonade, iced tea, or a fruity cocktail that matches the cake's red, white, and blue color scheme.
• Create a Dessert Spread: Surround the flag cake with additional patriotic treats like star-shaped sugar cookies, red velvet cupcakes, or berry parfaits to enhance the themed celebration.
• Customize Toppings: Encourage guests to add fresh whipped cream, extra berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a personalized touch to this classic American-inspired dessert.

Flag Cake: Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the decorated flag cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep berries fresh by adding them just before serving to prevent soggy spots.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost on the day of serving for maximum freshness.
• Room Temperature Tips: Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture. This helps the icing soften and the cake's taste become more vibrant.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake batter and icing a day in advance. Store batter in the refrigerator and icing in an airtight container. Allow ingredients to come to room temperature before baking and decorating.

Spectacular Barefoot Contessa Flag Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Classic Ina Garten flag cake brings patriotic spirit to summer celebrations. Red, white, and blue frosting creates a festive dessert perfect for July 4th gatherings. Guests will love its bold design and delicious flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ lbs / 675g cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 lb (4 sticks) / 450g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 18 tbsps (2 ¼ sticks) / 255g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups / 600g caster sugar
• 6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 3 cups / 375g plain flour
• 1 cup / 240ml sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 lb / 450g icing sugar, sifted
• ⅓ cup / 40g cornflour
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 ½ tsps pure vanilla extract
• 2 half-pints / 250g blueberries
• 3 half-pints / 375g raspberries

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Instructions

1. Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F. Grease an 18x13x1 inch sheet pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent adhesion.
2. Mix Batter: Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer until pale and fluffy. Add eggs gradually, then fold in sour cream and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly, scraping bowl sides to ensure uniform consistency. Sift flour, cornflour, salt, and bicarbonate of soda separately, then gently incorporate into wet ingredients on low speed. Transfer batter evenly into prepared pan, smoothing surface with a spatula.
3. Bake Cake: Place in preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean. Remove and cool completely at room temperature.
4. Create Frosting: Beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add icing sugar on low speed, mixing until silky and lump-free. Use a spatula for final blending.
5. Decorate Flag: Spread most of the frosting evenly across cooled cake. Sketch flag outline with a toothpick. Arrange blueberries in top left quadrant. Pipe alternating rows of raspberries and white icing to create stripes. Finish by piping star shapes with remaining frosting over blueberry section.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Tip: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and optimal cake texture.
• Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing batter to prevent a tough, dense cake; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Cooling Critical: Allow cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of decorative elements.
• Precision Piping: Use a steady hand and consistent pressure when creating flag design for a professional, clean appearance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 82g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 76g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 150mg