Fourth of July Flag Cake

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30–35 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

Servings: 12–15 slices

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1¾ cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup whole milk

For the Topping:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream

• ¼ cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Decoration:

• 1½ cups blueberries (stars)

• 2 cups sliced strawberries (stripes)

Instructions:

1. Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3–4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk until just combined.

3. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

4. In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

5. Spread whipped cream evenly over cooled cake. Arrange blueberries in the top left corner (like the stars). Lay rows of sliced strawberries across the cake for red stripes. Leave some whipped cream exposed for the white stripes.