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Perfect Stars and Stripes Layer Cake

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A moist and tender patriotic layer cake featuring vanilla and strawberry layers, cloud-like cream cheese frosting, and fresh blueberries and strawberries arranged in a stars and stripes pattern. Perfect for Fourth of July and other patriotic celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) strawberry puree (fresh or thawed frozen strawberries, blended)
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter in half; stir strawberry puree into one half until blended.
  7. Pour vanilla batter into one pan and strawberry batter into the other. Smooth tops with spatula.
  8. Bake for 30-35 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 turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  10. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract. Add heavy cream 1 tbsp at a time until frosting is spreadable but not runny.
  11. Place strawberry layer on serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting. Add vanilla layer on top, then frost top and sides smoothly.
  12. Arrange fresh blueberries in rows or clusters on top, then add sliced strawberries in stripes to create stars and stripes effect.
  13. Refrigerate cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to let frosting set.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix batter to avoid dense cake. Use fresh berries for best flavor and texture; if using frozen, thaw and drain well. Chill cake layers before frosting to prevent melting. Adjust frosting consistency with milk or powdered sugar as needed. Refrigerate cake before serving for cleaner slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic cake, Fourth of July dessert, layer cake, cream cheese frosting, strawberry cake, blueberry cake, stars and stripes cake

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/perfect-stars-and-stripes-layer-cake-recipe-easy-patriotic-dessert/