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Easy Simple Flag Cake Recipe Using Box Mix for Foolproof Festive Dessert

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A quick and festive flag cake made with a white box cake mix, enhanced with sour cream for moisture, and decorated with vibrant red, white, and blue layers. Perfect for holidays and last-minute celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box white cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
  • 1 cup water (240 ml)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (80 ml)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (120 ml)
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Blue gel food coloring
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (227 g / 1 cup)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 g)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (60 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the box cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
  3. Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls.
  4. Add about 10-15 drops of red gel food coloring to the first bowl and stir until uniform. Add blue gel food coloring to the second bowl similarly. Leave the third bowl plain white.
  5. Pour each colored batter into the prepared cake pans, filling about 2/3 full.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks and let cool completely (about 1 hour).
  8. Prepare the frosting by beating softened butter until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar alternating with heavy cream, beating on low speed until combined. Add vanilla and salt, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy (3-4 minutes).
  9. Assemble the cake by placing the red layer on a serving plate, spreading a thin layer of frosting on top. Repeat with the white layer, then the blue layer on top. Apply a crumb coat around the sides.
  10. Chill the cake for 20 minutes to set the crumb coat, then apply a final smooth layer of frosting. Optionally, decorate with star-shaped sprinkles or piping.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and sour cream for even mixing. Gel food coloring is preferred to avoid thinning the batter. Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. Crumb coat helps achieve a clean finish. If frosting is too thick, add cream teaspoon by teaspoon; if too runny, add more powdered sugar.

Nutrition

Keywords: flag cake, box cake mix, Fourth of July dessert, easy cake recipe, festive cake, patriotic cake, simple cake, quick dessert

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/easy-simple-flag-cake-recipe-using-box-mix-for-foolproof-festive-dessert/