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Perfect Star-Spangled Sheet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

star-spangled sheet cake with cream cheese frosting - featured image
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A moist and flavorful chocolate sheet cake topped with silky smooth cream cheese frosting, perfect for summer holidays and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
  • 8 oz (225 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
  • Fresh strawberries, sliced (for decoration)
  • Blueberries (for decoration)
  • Whipped cream or additional frosting (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) sheet pan with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to blend evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Slowly pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold together just until combined; do not overmix.
  5. Carefully add boiling water to the batter and stir gently until fully incorporated; batter will be thin.
  6. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan and gently shake to level.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Avoid opening oven door frequently.
  8. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely before frosting.
  9. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed to avoid sugar clouds.
  10. Add vanilla extract and salt, then whip on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  11. Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake using a spatula, smoothing or creating swirls as desired.
  12. Decorate with sliced strawberries and blueberries to mimic the American flag. Optionally, add dollops of whipped cream or extra frosting.
  13. If frosting is too soft, chill in fridge for 10-15 minutes before spreading.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs, butter, and cream cheese for best results. Do not overmix batter to keep cake tender. Adding boiling water thins batter and intensifies cocoa flavor for moist crumb. Chill frosting if too soft before spreading. Cool cake completely before frosting to prevent melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet cake, chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting, summer dessert, 4th of July cake, easy cake recipe, patriotic cake

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/perfect-star-spangled-sheet-cake-recipe-with-cream-cheese-frosting-easy-step-by-step-guide/