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Perfect Red Velvet Flag Sheet Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Frosting

red velvet flag sheet cake - featured image
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A festive and simple red velvet flag sheet cake with tangy cream cheese frosting and fresh blueberries to mimic the stars, perfect for celebrations like the 4th of July.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil (neutral oil like canola preferred)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring (gel-based recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • 1 cup (150 g) fresh blueberries (for decoration)
  • Additional cream cheese frosting for piping stripes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and grease or line your 9×13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: sift 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients: beat 2 cups granulated sugar with 1 cup vegetable oil until combined. Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons red food coloring, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be smooth but not thick.
  5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Start checking at 28 minutes.
  6. While the cake cools completely in the pan on a wire rack, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese and ½ cup softened unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy (about 2-3 minutes on medium speed).
  7. Add 3 cups sifted powdered sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Adjust consistency by adding a teaspoon of milk or cream if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
  8. Once the cake is completely cool, spread a thin crumb coat layer of frosting over the entire cake to trap any loose crumbs. Chill for 15 minutes to set.
  9. Apply a thick, even layer of cream cheese frosting, smoothing the top and sides with an offset spatula.
  10. For the flag design, use the frosting to pipe horizontal stripes, leaving space between stripes for the ‘blue field.’
  11. Fill the top left corner with a rectangle of frosting, then carefully arrange fresh blueberries in neat rows to mimic the stars.
  12. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to let the frosting firm up before slicing and serving.
  13. For clean slices, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it dry before each cut.

Notes

[‘Use gel food coloring for a richer red color without thinning the batter.’, ‘Do not skip buttermilk or vinegar for a tender crumb and balanced tang.’, ‘Beat cream cheese and butter well for smooth frosting and to avoid lumps.’, ‘Start checking cake doneness at 28 minutes to avoid drying out.’, ‘Use a piping bag with a flat tip for neat frosting stripes; a zip-top bag with a corner snipped works as a substitute.’, ‘Dip knife in hot water and dry before slicing for clean cuts.’, ‘For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend.’, ‘For dairy-free, use vegan cream cheese, plant-based butter, and almond or oat milk as buttermilk alternatives.’, ‘Fresh blueberries are best for decoration; if using frozen, thaw and drain well.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, flag cake, cream cheese frosting, 4th of July dessert, patriotic cake, easy red velvet, sheet cake, blueberry decoration

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/perfect-red-velvet-flag-sheet-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-frosting/