Flag Cake Recipe

Flag Cake Recipe Flag Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 5

This patriotic-themed cake makes a stunningly delicious centerpiece on any summer celebration table. To honor our troops, pass it along to all your family and friends! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Flag Cake Recipe
  • Prep: 1-1/2 hours + chilling Bake: 35 min. + cooling
  • Yield: 15 Servings
90 35 125

Ingredients

  • 1 package French vanilla cake mix (regular size)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 4 eggs
  • FILLING:
  • 1 package (3 ounces) berry blue gelatin
  • 1-1/2 cups boiling water, divided
  • 1 cup cold water, divided
  • Ice cubes
  • 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
  • FROSTING:
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon 2% milk
  • 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme

Directions

  • Line a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Transfer cake to a covered cake board. Using a small knife, cut out a 5-in. x 4-in. rectangle (1/2 in. deep) in the top left corner of cake, leaving a 1/2-in. border along edges of cake. For red stripes, cut out 1/2-in. wide rows (1/2 in. deep), leaving a 1/2-in. border. Using a fork, carefully remove cut-out cake pieces.
  • In a small bowl, dissolve berry blue gelatin in 3/4 cup boiling water. Pour 1/2 cup cold water into a 2-cup measuring cup; add enough ice cubes to measure 1-1/4 cups. Stir into gelatin until slightly thickened. Scoop out and discard any remaining ice cubes. Repeat, making strawberry gelatin.
  • In a small bowl, combine strawberries and 1 cup strawberry gelatin. In another bowl, combine blueberries and 1 cup blue gelatin. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or just until soft-set. (Save remaining gelatin for another use.)
  • Stir gelatin mixtures. Slowly pour blueberry mixture into rectangle; spoon strawberry mixture into stripes.
  • In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy; beat in the confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Add marshmallow creme; beat well until light and fluffy. Spread 1 cup over sides and top edge of cake. Refrigerate remaining frosting for 20 minutes.
  • Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert a large star tip. Fill the bag with remaining frosting. Pipe frosting in between rows of strawberry gelatin and around edges of cake. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until gelatin is set. Yield: 15 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 piece equals 438 calories, 18 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 81 mg cholesterol, 363 mg sodium, 67 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 4 g protein.

Originally published as Flag Cake in Taste of Home USO Flag Cake Campaign

Tip

Making Gelatin

When making gelatin, stir the powder and hot liquid with a slotted spoon. This keeps clumps of powder from sticking to the sides of the dish. —Jeanette S., Erie, Pennsylvania

Sweet White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a sweet white wine such as Moscato or a sweet Riesling.

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Reviews for Flag Cake

Flag Cake Recipe

Flag Cake

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(1-88) of 88 reviews

Reviewed on Jun. 30, 2012 by CoalMinersWife40801

Made this last 4th of July and my family LOVED IT!! Will definitely be making it again this year!!!

Reviewed on Jun. 25, 2012 by wannchef

jumpin'jac thank you for your suggestion it turned out perfect and we got extra stawberries.

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2011 by 65frd

Made it for our son's birthday and our granddaughter's birthday (the same day 7/2). Agree it was a lot of work but was very fun to do as a one time project and a nice surprise for the for our get together. (The white 'piped' stars did not hold their shape, must have been to thin or the day must have been too hot)

Reviewed on Jul. 06, 2011 by heartlandmom

This cake is stunningly beautiful, and I love that Taste of Home is making the donations to USO. But I must say, the flavor of the cake is only so-so and the texture a little heavy. Like others, I did not like the artificial flavor of the Jello. I used as little of it as possible, just enough to hold the fruit together and add some color. If I made again, I might try using blueberry and strawberry jelly instead for a more natural flavor, or just use the fruit alone.

Reviewed on Jul. 05, 2011 by muffinmonster

Great idea. In a million years I couldn't have come up with such a cool idea!

Reviewed on Jul. 04, 2011 by rwilliams9041

This was really impressive at our party today! Yes...a little work but well worth it! The cake tasted great and the frosting turned out perfect!

Reviewed on Jul. 04, 2011 by lurky27

This is a fun dessert to make for a special day, like Independence Day! Takes some time, but worth the effort!

~ Theresa

Reviewed on Jul. 04, 2011 by sharmaryar

This cake is great to look at for presentation sake. However, the amount of time it took to make it compared to the quality of tasteful pleasures.....not so much. It was a disappointment as far as the taste went with the whole group of folks I shared it with. I won't be making this again. It would be better if the flag display was over a cheesecake version instead of a boring cake and finicky frosting. BTW- it's kind of strange that the creators of this design didn't incorporate some stars over the blue section......

Reviewed on Jul. 03, 2011 by SJS9

This cake was way too much trouble. The icing came out too runny to make stars. By the time you get done you have 5 dirty bowls. I ended up using a can of icing and piped stars over the original stripes that the recipe called for to make it presentable for a function for the 4th.SJS9

Reviewed on Jul. 02, 2011 by theirmom99

turned out beautiful, worth the effort

Reviewed on Jul. 02, 2011 by Nansept

Although it is a time consuming recipe it is very impressive when finished.

I just made it today and it took me so much time unless it is delicious I will probably pass up making it again.

Reviewed on Jul. 02, 2011 by mom2tornadotwins

This was a great hit even at my pre-4th party

Reviewed on Jul. 01, 2011 by johnvannote

The best way to show your pride in our armed forces and let them know we care.

excellent +

Reviewed on Jul. 01, 2011 by jumpin'jac

As a time saver, you can bypass "carving the individual stripes. Just cut out the square for the blue in the top left, and trim out one big section for the red. After the jello has set, make the stripes with the frosting, and or whipped cream. Those that have not made the recipe, keep your negative comments to yourself.

Reviewed on Jul. 01, 2011 by djdobbs

Awesome

Reviewed on Jul. 01, 2011 by olascooking

I got this recipe from your book last year and it was great . everyone loved this so pretty and so tasty. thanks for sharing .

Reviewed on Jun. 30, 2011 by foodlover1209

This cake is great! made for a 4th of july party just a few days ago-totally recommend it!

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 2011 by Deebi27

But how does the cake taste?  Anything made with gelatin (Jello) always has to stay cold. I bet is tasted good anyway!

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 2011 by Deebi27

Is would be a cake to have at sooo many great patriotic occassions! AND yummy to!

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 2011 by Rynsnana

Recipe sounds great. I have made different version of the cake before but nothing as beautiful as this. Nephew just returned home from Infantry Training this wk. and will be leaving for Europe to pursue more military training before before deployment. Will make this for him and family before he leaves in 4 wks. --God Bless our Troops!!

Reviewed on Jun. 26, 2011 by LoriMtz

This (MrsRoot) is worth the effort, what else have you got to do? PatA2 "French" vanilla is just a flavor. Aalbro, again, this is worth the effort. The rows are beautiful, and the strawberries aren't protruding, as if you wouldn't have made the rows. Very uniform, as any vet would appreciate!!!!

Reviewed on Jun. 26, 2011 by Pieododge

this cake is a huge at my home. For the time the soldiers spend away having this when they come home helps

Reviewed on Jun. 25, 2011 by marthabenoit

One problem with this is you have to keep it cold doesn't travel well in a warm car.

Reviewed on Jun. 25, 2011 by PatA2

I do make the cake from scratch; and why on earth would I want to use a *FRENCH* vanilla cake mix?? The Fourth Of July is an AMERICAN* holiday!!

But aside from that the cake makes a stunning dessert. Very much like a Strawberry/Blueberry Shortcake.

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2011 by floreskelley

WONDERFUL!! We are having a block party for the 4th and I'm SOO going to make this..

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2011 by evemore

I Love buttermilk in cake! Rather than frosting, try cool whip topping, less sugar!

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2011 by bfellow

make this all the time. Great to take to covered dish dinners.

Reviewed on Jun. 23, 2011 by MrsRoot

This just sounds way too time consuming to even consider making.

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by pughbp

Made it for work, everyone loved it,

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by collienancy

This was very good. A big hit with my family. I will definitely make it again.

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by sandycruzan

I made this cake, it was a great hit for Memorial Day, especially to my Vet. husband.

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by Aalbro

Just too much of a hassle when I have so many things to cook for my party

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by MarilynL47

I have not made this cake. It's better than the canned filling. Will have to try it.

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by MarilynL47

I have not made this cake but it looks very deilious.

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by pattycake3

Works better using canned pie fillings of blueberry and strawberry than the jello less time consuming - and make your own frosting.

Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2011 by KScales

We have reviewed this recipe again and have some suggestions for better success when making and piping the frosting. Decreasing the milk to 1 Tbsp. will help thicken the frosting. Also, after spreading 1 cup on the sides and top edge, refrigerate the remaining frosting for about 20 minutes (but not much longer) before piping the border and stripes.

It is also best to prepare this frosting when the humidity is not too high, as that can affect the texture.

Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Reviewed on Jun. 21, 2011 by Hilda Fallas

Delicious and Patriotic ("Waow")

Reviewed on Jun. 20, 2011 by tucsongirl

The cake came out great but I had the same experience as the reviewer below. The frosting was more of a glaze than actual frosting. The photo does a bit of injustice to the recipie because it gives the impression you can decorate with the frosting. You can't! It's very watery and I ended up adding two additional cups of powdered sugar and it was still too thin. I had to run out and buy canned frosting because I had no time to make anything else. A real disapointment. I would suggest cutting down the butter or the milk for anyone attempting this in the future.

Reviewed on Jun. 18, 2011 by ateacherswife2007

The frosting recipe that was given turned out like water! It was a mess. It was just dripping off of the beaters. I added an extra cup of powdered sugar and it was still like water. I followed the directions perfectly! So, I had to make Betty Crocker Fluffy Frosting instead. It?s upsetting because I used all those ingredients and it turned out horrible! Also, there weren?t enough blueberries for how much Jell-o it called for. The cake turned out great and tasted great!!! Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix the frosting recipe?

Reviewed on Jun. 16, 2011 by ewilliams40

this is a great recipe but requires more effort than i would usually do

Reviewed on Jun. 16, 2011 by lisakayhan

It is frustrating when people rate recipes based on what they "think" it will turn out like. Please do not rate it until you have made it and tried it yourself.

Reviewed on Jun. 16, 2011 by tankala13

Love it, nice recipe.

Reviewed on Jun. 15, 2011 by CiullaE

I think you should make it a two box mix. You could put the left over jello and strawberries in between. Frost the bottom and top layers first. There was so much frosting left over as well as jello that would be a good use for them.

Reviewed on Jun. 14, 2011 by Woody22

Great cake! For stability I thickened the blueberrys with a teaspoon of arrowroot.

Reviewed on Jun. 14, 2011 by terryga54

I have made this cake in the past and it's awesome. God Bless our Troops thank you Taste of Home! You Rock!

Reviewed on Jun. 14, 2011 by SmilelyJ

I took out the Jello and just used the fuit. I loved that the sweetness of the fruit was there, and not syrupy sweetness of the jello covering it up! plus it looked amazing!

Reviewed on Jun. 14, 2011 by SmilelyJ

But making the filling without the jello takes out a few steps it looks just as beautiful, and it allows the sweet

Reviewed on Jun. 14, 2011 by Sandy1947

I made this cake for my husband's Veterans meeting and Flag Day. What a hit! It was lots easier to make than I thought it would be, and SO yummy, especially the frosting!

Reviewed on Jun. 07, 2011 by aproudamvet

wNDERFUL.

Reviewed on Jun. 07, 2011 by blandrews

Just made a copy of the recipe, and if I didn't have an appointment in half an hour I would be in the kitchen making it right now. Once I make it, I can pretty well promise to make it again, and again.

Reviewed on Jun. 07, 2011 by mnmnavis

I look forward to making this cake for 4th of July! It looks so yummy, and so easy too!! :D

Reviewed on Jun. 05, 2011 by Zelda45

This recipe looks and sounds yummy. Will make it soon when I have more around to eat it. Too much cake for 2 people. Sounds easy to make also. Very good cause to check out recipe.

Reviewed on Jun. 04, 2011 by chell_bell

This not only taste good but what a way to say thank you to all the service men & women both present & in the past! God Bless all of You.

Reviewed on Jun. 03, 2011 by debgoetz

Looks Yummy!

Reviewed on Jun. 01, 2011 by Rpnc24

My younger brother leaves for bootcamp soon; have never dealt with someone so close leaving. Seeing the support across the nation helps me keep a smile. thanks for supporting our troops!

Reviewed on Jun. 01, 2011 by onlymoira

This simple, stunning, and delicious cake was the showstopper at our Memorial Day celebration this year. It looks like hours were spent making it...no one believed me when I said the longest part was the chilling!

I come from a large military family so patriotic holidays and service remembrance days are big for us. Thanks for supporting our troops and their families, by the donations AND the recipe!

Reviewed on Jun. 01, 2011 by LouannPearson

May God bless all our troops! The cake is great! Thanks again!

Reviewed on May. 31, 2011 by MaysC01

DELICIOUS!

Reviewed on May. 31, 2011 by DeeRow

I didn't make it yet, but I can't wait to. I love taking new things to family cookouts.I'm waiting for the great comments I get.Thanks to all the Taste Of Home Family. Most of all thanks to all the men and women giving up so much of themselves to protect all of us.We all should do more.OX God Bless Them all.

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by mainstreetsweetie

waiting for the results! I know it will be a hit at bbq today.

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by Wneal

delicious!

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by stjohnisle

We have this cake @ our annual block party and it's always a hit! Wonderful flavor, wonderful way to celebrate.

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by sandycruzan

Made this today 5/30. My family loved it!

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by Judy05

Very nice and very good.............

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by phil42

was a great hit, will make over and over

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by spoiledgranny

AWESOME!!! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by MarilynL47

I have not tried this cake but I will shortly. I now by the looks I will love it. I give a great big A+

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by ardnaann

It's fun to make - more fun to serve and hear the positive comments. We have a Strawberry Farm near us that produces the very best, ripe when picked! berries ever to exist. What a thrill it is to enjoy every single bite. God Bless our Men and Women serving to protect us all. Happy 4th of July!!

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by shadyeyez

I have yet to make this,recently saw it, can't wait to try it,though,and the other positive reviews make me a little excited,too. I have seen someone a bit upset about the carb/calories...probably could use sugar free jello and they make less sugar cake mixes now too

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by wendy43

it was delicious, everyone liked it.

Reviewed on May. 30, 2011 by lori-g-02

Delicious

Reviewed on May. 29, 2011 by christine1952

taste as great as it looks

Reviewed on May. 29, 2011 by christine1952

taste as great as it looks

Reviewed on May. 29, 2011 by Bearsstar

Everyone loved this. While it wasn't as easy as i thought to make it was worth it.

Reviewed on May. 28, 2011 by Momigrams

Counts as 12 points for Weight Watchers! Need to have less carbs

Reviewed on May. 27, 2011 by lnchudej

It's a beautiful cake and is very easy considering how impressive the finished cake looks.

Reviewed on May. 27, 2011 by lfrdavis

Deliceous

Reviewed on May. 27, 2011 by maedine

the cake is delicious just the way the recipe states.

Reviewed on May. 27, 2011 by agagnette

everybody loved it

Reviewed on May. 27, 2011 by agagnette

everybody loved it

Reviewed on May. 27, 2011 by mariwhits

i made this before but i bought a pound cake and sliced it .this is a great recipe

Reviewed on May. 26, 2011 by villagefarmmom

made this before, great hit at 4th of July.

would make again

Reviewed on May. 26, 2011 by samuel.anderson

Added vanilla chips as stars....looked awesome

Reviewed on May. 26, 2011 by amyemmamorgan

awesome cake, perfect for the 4th of July

Reviewed on May. 26, 2011 by CamoDreamz

Awesome.. Love These Recipes.

Reviewed on May. 26, 2011 by KJ1

What an interesting cake!!!!!! I can't wait to make it!!!!!!!!

Reviewed on May. 16, 2011 by Coleen M

The marshmallow frosting is soooo good. It's a perfect summer combo, cake, berries and marshmallows. It was easy to make too!

Reviewed on May. 10, 2011 by hejcs01

I made this for a potluck and it was a big hit. If you don't want to do the jello, I think you could just lay out the strawberries and blueberries on top of frosting.

 
 

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