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Perfect Red Velvet Flag Cake Recipe with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting Tutorial

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A festive and tender red velvet cake with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for patriotic occasions or any special celebration. The cake layers hold their shape beautifully, and the frosting is creamy without being overpowering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) 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 round pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk sugar and vegetable oil until blended. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
  4. Stir in vanilla extract and red food coloring until batter is uniformly bright red.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Stir in white vinegar last. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing tops with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  9. Make frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed, then add vanilla and salt. Beat until fluffy (about 2 minutes).
  10. Slice each cake layer horizontally to create four thin layers.
  11. Spread frosting evenly between layers. On top, pipe or spread frosting to create white stripes and star field for the flag design.
  12. Chill cake for 30 minutes to set frosting before serving.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to keep the red vibrant. Chill cake layers before slicing to prevent crumbling. Softened (not melted) cream cheese and butter are key for smooth frosting. If frosting is too soft for piping, refrigerate for 15 minutes and stir before decorating. Use a serrated knife for clean layer cuts. Cake layers can be baked ahead and stored refrigerated or frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, flag cake, patriotic cake, easy red velvet, festive cake, holiday dessert

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/perfect-red-velvet-flag-cake-recipe-with-easy-cream-cheese-frosting-tutorial/