cake storage

The flag cake will last up to 2 days chilled in the fridge. The frosting will firm up, so remove the cake at least one hour before serving to let the frosting soften up before serving. 

frosting

This frosting recipe is SOOO fluffy and easy to spread at room temperature. But it firms up nicely when chilled in the fridge, so decorate your cake with room temperature frosting. You can freeze any leftover frosting, and use it for another dessert.

baking pans

You can bake this in a sheet pan, glass 9 x 13 dish, or metal cake pan. If you use a pan deeper than 3 inches, you will want to lower the temperature from 350 down to 325 degrees and bake it longer, about 50 minutes. Also, be sure to line the pan with parchment, it makes taking the cake out so much easier, and in one piece. 🍰

batter

Coloring the batter is really easy, be sure to use bowls that won't stain with the dye, and just work to put big dollops on top of each other, with lots of white batter all over. Then use a chopstick to pull outward from the center and then in a circle, this makes the swirls you want! 🥣

baking

You can bake the cake a day ahead, and keep it chilled in the fridge until it's time to decorate it. You will want the cake very cool before you frost it!

decorating

A small offset spatula makes it really easy, but you can use a butter knife too. I had fun piping stars on the cake, totally optional but looks so patriotic. 🇺🇸 Use a large piping bag and 1M tip to create the stars. I used regular food coloring, just mix until it's a dark enough shade. Red took the whole little bottle.

berries

I used blueberries and raspberries, but you could use strawberries for the red stripes. You could also use colored sugar or sprinkles for the stripes. 🫐❤️

July 4th Recipes

I have a collection of over 100+ July 4th Desserts with treats from my food blogger friends plus a few of mine, with something for everyone. Happy July 4th 🇺🇸, you can also get over 100+ July 4th Recipes and food ideas for your party.

July 4th Cookouts, BBQs, and Picnic Tips!

• Use serving pieces you have, red, white, and blue are great but not necessary. Look high and low for the thing you have-trust me you have great pieces to use. Find trays, baskets, bowls, or buy inexpensive ones. 
• Plan an area for all the food. A nice long table in the shade, the dinner table, or a kitchen counter space all work great. Serve out of the heat, cover food, and try to keep any salads or meat items covered.
• For summer pool parties, I make sure to get food back in the fridge after about an hour or so to keep it safe, then take it out later in the day when people get hungry again.
• Plan for your number of guests, and space to walk around the table, and chairs, and places to sit in the shade.
• Have containers to send leftovers home with guests, people love it! I use inexpensive Chinese paper takeout containers or grocery store brands.
• If serving outside, plan out to keep food protected from flying insects with food tents, chill salads, and keep dishes out of the direct sun if possible. 
• Use what you have to create different heights if possible and to keep people moving around trying different dishes. I sometimes use boxes under pretty linens and tablecloths to create high and low places.
• Use American flags, linens, flowers, and patriotic decorations.
• Serve salads in large chilled bowls on ice packs with a pretty towel covering the ice packs.  There are also platters that stay chilled for up to two hours, I have a couple and love them.