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Perfect Red Velvet Flag Cake with Cream Cheese Stars

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A festive and easy-to-make red velvet cake decorated with hand-piped cream cheese stars, perfect for patriotic celebrations and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (310 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) vegetable oil (canola oil preferred)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice as substitute)
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons gel red food coloring
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat sugar and vegetable oil on medium speed until well blended, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  5. Mix in red gel food coloring until batter is evenly colored.
  6. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk and white vinegar, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined.
  7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks and cool completely.
  9. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until creamy and spreadable.
  10. Place one cake layer on serving plate and spread a thin layer of frosting on top. Place second layer on top and frost entire cake with a thin crumb coat. Chill for 30 minutes to set.
  11. Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with remaining frosting and pipe stars evenly across the top of the cake to mimic the flag’s star field. Frost the rest of the cake smooth or decorate with stripes of leftover frosting.

Notes

Use gel-based red food coloring for best color without thinning batter. Chill frosting before piping stars to help them hold shape. Do not overmix batter after adding dry ingredients to avoid toughness. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute cream cheese, butter, and buttermilk with plant-based alternatives. Gluten-free flour blends with xanthan gum can be used but expect a denser crumb.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, patriotic cake, Fourth of July dessert, flag cake, easy red velvet, homemade cake, festive dessert

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/perfect-red-velvet-flag-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-stars-tutorial/