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Perfect Red White Blue Layer Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

red white blue layer cake - featured image
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A festive and easy-to-make red, white, and blue layered cake with tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for patriotic celebrations like the 4th of July.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Blue gel food coloring
  • 1 package (8 oz / 225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper circles.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Stir in vanilla extract and milk alternately with dry ingredients, starting and ending with dry. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Tint one with red gel food coloring, leave one plain, and tint the third with blue gel food coloring.
  7. Pour each colored batter into prepared pans, filling about ⅔ full.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks and cool completely.
  10. Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and salt.
  11. Assemble cake by layering red, white, and blue cakes with frosting between each layer. Cover top and sides with remaining frosting.
  12. Chill cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter. Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened but not melted for frosting. Chill cake before slicing for cleaner cuts. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: red white blue cake, patriotic cake, cream cheese frosting, 4th of July dessert, layered cake, easy cake recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/perfect-red-white-blue-layer-cake-recipe-with-cream-cheese-frosting-easy-and-best-for-patriotic-desserts/