Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour, unbleached preferred
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large egg whites
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
Red and blue gel food coloring (AmeriColor or Wilton recommended)
Vanilla buttercream frosting
Patriotic sprinkles (red, white, and blue)
Optional: small candies or sprinkles for surprise center
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare three 8-inch round pans with parchment paper and grease well.
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg whites gradually, then vanilla extract.
Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture until combined.
Divide batter equally into three bowls. Tint one red, one blue, and leave one white.
Pour each into prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, checking with a toothpick. Cool completely.
Optionally, hollow centers of layers and fill with patriotic candies or sprinkles.
Stack layers: blue on bottom, then white, then red, with frosting between each.
Apply a crumb coat of frosting, chill for 30 minutes, then finish with a thick outer frosting layer.
Decorate with patriotic sprinkles. Add sparkler candles or festive toppers for extra flair.
Notes
Always use gel food coloring for bold colors. Chill layers before stacking to prevent color bleeding. Add a surprise center for an extra wow factor at the party.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: firecracker red white and blue cake, patriotic cake, Fourth of July cake, Memorial Day dessert, red white blue cake, festive layer cake