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Perfect Red Velvet Flag Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

Perfect Red Velvet Flag Cake - featured image
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A moist and flavorful red velvet cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting, designed with a festive flag pattern perfect for holidays and celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
  • 16 ounces (450g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, whisk sugar and vegetable oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. Stir in buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, vinegar, and espresso powder.
  5. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes 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 (at least 1 hour).
  9. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low then high speed until fluffy.
  10. Stir in vanilla extract and pinch of salt into frosting.
  11. Trim cake layers if needed. Cut one layer into three equal rectangles for stripes.
  12. Tint a portion of frosting blue with food coloring to create the blue field.
  13. Assemble the cake in a flag pattern using frosting to layer and decorate carefully.
  14. Chill assembled cake in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for best color without thinning batter. Let cakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Chill cake layers before cutting for cleaner edges. If frosting is too soft, refrigerate for 10 minutes before spreading. Buttermilk and vinegar are essential for tender crumb and tang. Espresso powder enhances cocoa flavor but is optional.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, flag cake, holiday dessert, easy red velvet, homemade frosting, 4th of July cake

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/perfect-red-velvet-flag-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting/