Flag Cake Recipe

The Flag Cake is that show-stopping, crowd-pleasing dessert that simply shouts “summer celebration!” Fluffy cake, tangy cream cheese frosting, and bursting-with-freshness berries come together to create a delicious take on the American flag—perfect for 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any occasion that deserves a sweet, patriotic touch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Flag Cake is how down-to-earth the ingredient list is. Every single component serves a purpose: producing a soft yet sturdy cake, and that signature cream cheese frosting that holds up beautifully under a blanket of berries.

• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming, this brings melt-in-your-mouth richness to the cake and frosting.
• Granulated Sugar: Essential for sweetness and helping the cake bake up light and tender.
• Honey: Adds a lovely floral note and extra moisture without making the cake heavy.
• Eggs: Room temperature is key for a fluffy, even texture—these provide structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds that classic, home-baked flavor you can taste in every bite.
• Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt: Moisturizes and tenderizes the cake crumb, and gives tang to the creamy frosting.
• White Whole Wheat Flour: Infuses the cake with a subtle nutty flavor and a nutrition boost, but keeps things light.
• All-Purpose Flour: The partner to whole wheat flour, ensuring the cake stays soft and delicate.
• Baking Soda: Helps your Flag Cake rise evenly for that perfect sheet cake slice.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the other flavors.
• Milk: Adds extra moisture—use whatever you have on hand, but 2% keeps things creamy and light.
• Reduced-fat Cream Cheese (Neufchatel): Makes the dreamy, tangy frosting base without the heaviness of full-fat varieties.
• Powdered Sugar: Blends smoothly into the frosting for the right sweetness and silky texture.
• Fresh Blueberries & Strawberries: These are your edible “stars and stripes”—the fresher and sweeter, the better!

Variations

This Flag Cake is endlessly adaptable—don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it! Whether you need to adjust for dietary restrictions, seasonal fruit, or simply your family’s favorites, here are some ideas to get you started.

• Gluten-Free: Swap in your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend for both types of flour—just watch the bake time for doneness.
• Vegan: Use a high-quality plant-based butter, a dairy-free yogurt, your favorite egg replacer, and vegan cream cheese for the frosting.
• Berry Medley: Use raspberries or blackberries to create your own unique “flag” look, or mix and match based on what’s freshest.
• Traditional Flour Only: If you don’t have white whole wheat flour, simply use all-purpose (see note about adjusting the milk).

How to Make Flag Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. Generously grease and lightly flour an 11×17-inch half-sheet pan (or spray with floured baking spray), making sure to get into every corner so your cake releases easily later. Set this aside while you prep the batter—getting this step right keeps your Flag Cake pristine when it’s time for slicing.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sweeteners

Using a stand mixer (or a sturdy hand mixer), cream your softened butter the moment it feels pillow-soft—about one minute. Add the granulated sugar and beat until it’s pale and fluffy. Blend in the honey: this adds an irresistible moistness you’ll really taste in the finished cake.

Step 3: Mix in Eggs, Vanilla, and Yogurt

Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then pour in the vanilla. The yogurt goes in next—don’t worry if the mixture looks a little curdled, that’s just the yogurt doing its job! Beat until silky and well-combined.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Alternate with Milk

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flours, baking soda, and salt. Now it’s time to alternate: Add one-third of the dry mix to the wet ingredients, beat briefly, pour in half the milk, and repeat. Stop when the last bit of flour disappears—the batter should be smooth but not over-mixed.

Step 5: Bake and Cool the Cake

Pour the batter into your pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway. Watch for the top to turn a gentle golden and test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack—this helps the structure set, so your beautiful Flag Cake holds together for decorating.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

Once the cake is cool, use your mixer to beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, yogurt, and vanilla. The result: a lusciously smooth, tangy frosting that’s thick enough to hold those “stars and stripes.”

Step 7: Decorate Your Flag Cake

Spread the frosting generously over the entire cooled cake. Arrange fresh blueberries in the top left corner for “stars,” and then lay sliced strawberries in neat rows across the rest for the “stripes.” This is where the magic happens—get festive, have fun, and let the kids help!

How to Serve Flag Cake

Garnishes

Want your Flag Cake to dazzle even more? Sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar for a “fireworks” dusting, or drizzle with a bit of honey for luster. A handful of fresh mint leaves tucked amongst the berries adds color and a refreshing aroma—particularly lovely for summer gatherings.

Side Dishes

Serve Flag Cake alongside a crisp fruit salad, sparkling lemonade, or a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream if you want to lean into full-on celebration mode! For summer picnics or BBQs, a tangy citrus salad or a tray of chilled watermelon slices is a perfect complement.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice Flag Cake into perfect squares for a crowd, or get creative and use cookie cutters to stamp out stars and stripes for a patriotic dessert tray. Individual mason jars layered with cake, frosting, and fruit make adorable grab-and-go treats for picnics or kids’ parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Flag Cake as fresh as possible, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator. The cake will stay moist for up to three days—just be sure to add a new layer of berries on top if needed right before serving.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, it’s best to remove any fresh fruit first (they lose their texture in the freezer) and wrap cake slices individually in plastic before placing in a zip-top bag. Frozen flag cake will keep for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the fridge and arrange fresh berries before serving.

Reheating

Flag Cake is delicious served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t usually necessary! If you prefer a slightly softer bite, let individual slices sit at room temp for 15–20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to keep the frosting intact.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Flag Cake is one of those feel-good recipes that brings everyone together—whether for a backyard barbecue, classroom party, or spontaneous family picnic. It’s festive, joyful, and always a hit. If you want to see smiles and empty plates, give this recipe a try—you’re going to love it!

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