Name: American Flag Cake
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup whole milk; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2-3 tablespoons whole milk; 1 ½ cup blueberries; 1 pint strawberries, cut in quarters

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This American Flag Berry Cake is a simple sheet cake decorated with cream cheese frosting, fresh berries, and of course, a flag design for the 4th of July! You can make it from scratch or use a cake mix if that’s more your style. Just bake, frost, and top with fruit! Couldn’t be easier.

A rectangular American flag cake decorated with blueberries for the stars and sliced strawberries with piped white frosting for the stripes. The cake is surrounded by bowls of fresh berries, whipped cream, and patriotic chocolate candies.

What You Need to Know

A 9 by 13 inch pan works best for this cake and keeps the flag design looking balanced without any extra steps. You can use your favorite vanilla cake recipe, or just grab a boxed mix to keep things easy. Let the cake cool completely before adding the frosting so it spreads smoothly.

Fresh berries work best here! Especially ones that are firm and not too juicy. If your strawberries are on the softer side, just give them a quick pat with a paper towel. The cream cheese frosting goes on easily with a spoon or spatula and does a good job holding the fruit in place. No need to get fancy! Just keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.

Flat lay of ingredients for an American flag cake, including strawberries, blueberries, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, milk, and salt, arranged on a marble surface with measuring spoons.

Key Ingredients

Blueberries and strawberries: These make up the flag design. Use fresh, firm berries so they hold their shape. Blueberries go in the corner for the stars, and sliced strawberries form the red stripes.
All-purpose flour: Gives the cake structure and a soft texture. You can use cake flour for something lighter, but all-purpose works well here.
Butter: Softened unsalted butter creates a tender cake and a creamy frosting.
Eggs: Add structure and richness. Room temperature eggs mix in more smoothly.
Whole milk: Adds moisture and helps the batter come together evenly. It also thins the frosting just enough for easy spreading.
Cream cheese: Makes the frosting sturdy and gives it a slight tang to balance the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Vanilla extract: Adds flavor to both the cake and frosting. Real vanilla makes a difference if you have it.

A close-up slice of vanilla American Flag cake topped with whipped frosting and fresh strawberries, served on a blue floral plate with a fork resting beside it.

Optional Shortcut

Use a white or vanilla boxed cake mix. Follow the package directions for baking. Let it cool completely before adding frosting or fruit.

Make the Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

A glass bowl filled with smooth vanilla cake batter being whisked by a metal balloon whisk, showing its light and creamy texture.

Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk. Stir until just combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely.

Make the Frosting

In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Add vanilla and milk. Mix until the texture is thick but spreadable.

Decorate the Cake

Spread frosting evenly across the cooled cake.

A close-up of frosting being spread onto a golden sheet cake using an offset spatula, preparing the base layer for decorating.

Arrange blueberries in the top left corner to form the star section.

Use rows of strawberry quarters to create the red stripes. Leave visible frosting between each row for the white stripes.

Optional: For more precision, use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe frosting between rows, but this is not necessary for a finished look.

A rectangular sheet cake decorated to look like the American flag, with blueberries for the stars, piped white frosting for the stripes, and sliced strawberries for the red stripes. Surrounded by bowls of berries and empty blue floral plates with forks.

Helpful Tips

Add fruit just before serving if possible for the best texture and color
Cut the cake in half for smaller servings or keep it whole for a larger group
If the strawberries are very juicy, blot them with a paper towel before placing them on the cake
The cake can be stored in the fridge for up to three days

Storage Instructions

Keep the cake covered in the refrigerator. You can store the frosting and berries separately and assemble the cake on the day you plan to serve it. Avoid freezing the cake once frosted with fruit. Unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped and frozen for up to two months.

More Fourth of July Recipes

A classic 4th of July menu is in order when this cake is on the menu! Make sure you check out my Chili Dogs, which taste excellent with my Best Damn Baked Mac and Cheese. Add a slice of Best Damn Iron Skillet Cornbread, perfect a classic BBQ!

For a true 4th feast, grill some Corn in the Husk for a smoky, sweet side, and balance it with some crispy Air Fryer Homestyle French Fries. My Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad is a total go-to for any BBQ or potluck.

Recipe

American Flag Cake

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Author: Jason N.
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 12-15 slices

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Description

This American Flag Berry Cake is a simple, festive dessert made for summer parties and patriotic holidays. You don’t need to pipe frosting or get fancy with decorating tools! This cake is easy and looks AMAZING on your table. Just bake a soft vanilla sheet cake, top it with a cream cheese frosting, and add fresh berries for the flag design.

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk

For the frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons whole milk

For the topping design:

1 ½ cup blueberries
1 pint strawberries, cut in quarters

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Instructions

Make the cake:

Preheat the oven to 350°F . Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely in the pan.

Make the frosting

Use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until combined.
Add vanilla and beat until smooth. Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

Assemble and decorate.

Once fully cooled, cut the cake in half crosswise to create two 9×6.5-inch rectangles. Place each half on its own platter or serving board. You can either decorate both cake halves at once, or wrap one half in plastic wrap and save it for later!
Spread a generous layer of frosting over the cake(s).
Create a square in the upper left corner with blueberries.
Use strawberry quarters to make red stripes across the rest of the cake, leaving frosting visible between rows for white stripes.
Optional step: If you have leftover frosting , add it to a piping bag with a star tip. Pipe it in between the rows of strawberries to bring your flag design to the next level!