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Show-Stopping Red Velvet Flag Cake Recipe with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

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A quick and easy red velvet flag cake with moist layers and silky cream cheese frosting, perfect for celebrations and last-minute parties.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups (320g)
  • Granulated sugar – 1 ½ cups (300g)
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder – 2 tablespoons
  • Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
  • Salt – ½ teaspoon
  • Buttermilk – 1 cup (240ml), room temperature (substitute with milk + 1 tbsp vinegar if needed)
  • Vegetable oil – 1 cup (240ml)
  • Large eggs – 2, room temperature
  • Red food coloring – 2 tablespoons (gel food coloring recommended)
  • Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
  • White vinegar – 1 teaspoon
  • Cream cheese – 16 oz (450g), softened
  • Unsalted butter – ½ cup (115g), softened
  • Powdered sugar – 4 cups (480g), sifted
  • Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or non-stick spray, then lightly dust with flour or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar until smooth and vibrant red.
  4. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or mixer on low speed until just combined.
  5. Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared pans. Tap pans gently to release air bubbles.
  6. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks and cool completely.
  8. Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until fluffy.
  9. Trim domed tops of cakes to create flat layers. Cut one cake into strips for flag stripes and arrange on a platter with thin layers of frosting between strips.
  10. Cut a square from the second cake for the blue canton and frost with cream cheese frosting tinted with blue food coloring if desired.
  11. Finish frosting the entire cake, smoothing edges and top.
  12. Chill the assembled cake in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant red without thinning batter. Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened but not melted to avoid lumpy frosting. Do not overmix batter to keep cake tender. Chill cake after frosting for clean slices. Can substitute gluten-free flour and dairy-free alternatives for dietary needs.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://milacook.com/show-stopping-red-velvet-flag-cake-recipe-with-easy-cream-cheese-frosting/