Name: Patriotic Flag Cake with Blueberries and Cherries
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15.25-oz) box yellow cake mix; 4 eggs; 1 cup oil; 1 (6-oz) box cherry Jell-O (dry, not made into Jello); 2 (14-oz) cans red tart cherries, drained; ½ cup salted butter, softened (1 stick); 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened; 1 pound powdered sugar (about 4 cups); 1-2 tablespoons milk; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon coconut extract (optional); Blueberries; 1 can cherry pie filling

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Patriotic Flag Cake combines the comforting flavors of a classic yellow cake with the sweetness of cherries and blueberries. The cream cheese frosting adds a creamy, tangy touch that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the cake and fruit. It’s easy to make, fun to decorate, and will have everyone at your gathering oohing and aahing over its festive look and delicious taste. Perfect for summer holidays and family get-togethers, this dessert is sure to impress!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cake:

1 (15.25-oz) box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 (6-oz) box cherry Jell-O (dry, not made into Jello)
2 (14-oz) cans red tart cherries, drained

For the Frosting:

½ cup salted butter, softened (1 stick)
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 pound powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
1-2 tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon coconut extract (optional)

For the Flag Topping:

Blueberries
1 can cherry pie filling

Directions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan and set aside.
Prepare the cake batter: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the yellow cake mix, eggs, oil, and dry cherry Jell-O mix on high speed for about 2 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Add cherries to the batter: Open the cans of cherries and drain them well. Fold in about 1 and ½ cans of the cherries into the batter with a spatula. (Reserve the rest of the cherries for later.)
Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. The batter will be thick, but don’t worry, it will bake into a delicious cake. Bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes, or until a fork inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, cover it with foil.
Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool completely, preferably in the freezer for faster cooling.
Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and salt, mixing until the frosting is fluffy and creamy. Add in the coconut extract if you’re using it.
Frost the cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
Decorate the flag: Begin by creating the blue corner of the flag. Use a spatula to draw a line in the frosting where you want the blue area to be. Place blueberries along the edges of the blue corner, then fill the rest of the area with blueberries.
Create the red stripes: Drain some of the liquid from the cherry pie filling using a colander. Carefully spoon one cherry at a time over the white frosting to create the red stripes of the flag.
Serve and enjoy: Once decorated, refrigerate the cake for a few hours if needed. Serve on the same day for the best freshness and flavor.

Servings and Timing

Servings: This recipe makes 16 slices.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Variations

Fruit Options: Swap out the cherries for raspberries or strawberries for a different flavor while keeping the patriotic look.
Vegan Option: Use dairy-free butter, a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and replace the eggs with a vegan egg substitute.
No Jell-O Option: If you prefer not to use Jell-O, you can replace the cherry Jell-O mix with cherry extract or simply omit it for a more traditional cake flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: The cake is best enjoyed chilled, but you can let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving if you prefer.

FAQs

1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cake the day before and refrigerate it until you’re ready to decorate and serve.

2. Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh cherries, but be sure to pit and chop them before adding them to the batter.

3. Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes, you can substitute the yellow cake mix with a white or vanilla cake mix if you prefer.

4. How do I make sure the frosting is not too runny?

If your frosting is too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

5. Can I decorate the cake with whipped cream instead of frosting?

Yes, you can use whipped cream as a topping, but keep in mind it may not hold its shape as well as cream cheese frosting.

6. Can I freeze this cake?

You can freeze the unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. When ready to serve, thaw and frost it.

7. How can I make this cake less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet cake, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting or use less of the cherry pie filling.

8. Can I add more layers to the cake?

Yes, you can bake the cake in two 8-inch round cake pans to make a layered cake. Just divide the batter evenly and stack the cakes with frosting in between.

9. Can I use a different frosting flavor?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap the cream cheese frosting for chocolate frosting or a simple buttercream frosting if preferred.

10. How do I make the flag more precise?

To make the flag design more precise, you can use a piping bag for the frosting or use a ruler to outline the areas for the blueberries and cherries.

Conclusion

This Patriotic Flag Cake with Blueberries and Cherries is a fun and festive way to celebrate holidays like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. With its moist, flavorful cake, creamy frosting, and vibrant flag design, it’s sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be prepped ahead of time, leaving you more time to enjoy the celebration!

Patriotic Flag Cake with Blueberries and Cherries

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This Patriotic Flag Cake with Blueberries and Cherries is a festive dessert perfect for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. It features a moist cake topped with cream cheese frosting and decorated to resemble the American flag, making it as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Author: Amy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 16 slices
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan and set aside.
Prepare the cake batter: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the yellow cake mix, eggs, oil, and dry cherry Jell-O mix on high speed for about 2 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Add cherries to the batter: Open the cans of cherries and drain them well. Fold in about 1 and ½ cans of the cherries into the batter with a spatula. (Reserve the rest of the cherries for later.)
Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes, or until a fork inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool completely, preferably in the freezer for faster cooling.
Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and salt, mixing until the frosting is fluffy and creamy. Add in the coconut extract if using.
Frost the cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
Decorate the flag: Begin by creating the blue corner of the flag. Use a spatula to draw a line in the frosting where you want the blue area to be. Place blueberries along the edges of the blue corner, then fill the rest of the area with blueberries.
Create the red stripes: Drain some of the liquid from the cherry pie filling using a colander. Spoon one cherry at a time over the white frosting to create the red stripes of the flag.
Serve and enjoy: Once decorated, refrigerate the cake for a few hours if needed. Serve on the same day for the best freshness and flavor.