This classic Flag Cake is such a perfect dessert to make for summer holidays and patriotic celebrations!

flag cake

This flag cake recipe comes directly from Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa). She created it a long time ago, and it’s a recipe I reach for every year in the summer months. It’s just the perfect, patriotic dessert. Everyone loves to see it on the dessert table on 4th of July, but I make it for summer BBQ’s too. And guess what? It happens to be a pretty delicious cake!

ingredients displayed for making white sheet cake

Ingredients needed for the cake:

  • unsalted butter
  • white sugar
  • eggs
  • sour cream
  • vanilla extract
  • all purpose flour
  • cornstarch
  • kosher salt and baking soda

four photos showing how to make vanilla sheet cake

How to make a Flag Cake:

The full, printable recipe is at the end of this post.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 18×13 by 1½-inch sheet pan.
 
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar on high speed, until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and stir until smooth.
 
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. Blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.

flag cake

Ingredients needed for the frosting and topping:

  • unsalted butter
  • cream cheese
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • fresh blueberries
  • fresh strawberries

How to make add the toppings to make a Flag Cake:

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla, mixing just until smooth.
 
Spread three-fourths of the frosting on the top of the cooled sheet cake. Outline the flag on the top of the cake with a toothpick. Fill the upper left corner with blueberries. Place 2 rows of strawberries across the top of the cake like a red stripe. Put the remaining frosting in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe two rows of white stripes below the strawberries. Alternate rows of strawberries and frosting until the flag is completed. Pipe stars on top of the blueberries.

flag cake

The fresh blueberries in the fourth quadrant of the cake make the perfect backdrop for piping on little stars.

slice of flag cake on a plate

Cut the slices in and around the berries to make perfect, cute, individual servings. Enjoy!

slice of flag cake on a plate

The Best Sheet Cake Recipes:

flag cake
5 from 1 vote

Flag Cake

Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
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Ingredients

CAKE:

FROSTING:

FRUIT TOPPING:

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 18x13 by 1½-inch sheet pan.

MAKE THE CAKE:

  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar on high speed, until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and stir until smooth.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. Blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.

ADD THE FROSTING AND FLAG DECORATION:

  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla, mixing just until smooth.
  • Spread three-fourths of the frosting on the top of the cooled sheet cake. Outline the flag on the top of the cake with a toothpick. Fill the upper left corner with blueberries. Place 2 rows of strawberries across the top of the cake like a red stripe. Put the remaining frosting in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe two rows of white stripes below the strawberries. Alternate rows of strawberries and frosting until the flag is completed. Pipe stars on top of the blueberries.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece, Calories: 609kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 23g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 153mg, Sodium: 259mg, Potassium: 134mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 47g, Vitamin A: 1296IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 59mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 from 1 vote

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1 Comment

  1. RUTTEN FREDDY says:

    5 stars
    ik vond zo heerlijk lekker dessert om bij de koffie bij te geven