If you’re looking to bring a vibrant, festive dessert to your next summer get-together, this Flag Cake is the showstopper you need. With fluffy white cake as the canvas, a luscious whipped cream and cream cheese frosting, and a berry design that bursts into stars and stripes, this treat isn’t just delicious—it’s a celebration you can share. Whether you’re planning a patriotic picnic, a backyard barbecue, or a joyful family gathering, this Flag Cake brings out smiles and a sense of occasion with its bright, fresh flavors and irresistible creamy topping.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here serves a purpose, working together to create the ultimate Flag Cake: soft, light cake, a tangy-sweet frosting, and jewel-toned berries that make the colors truly pop. Don’t skip anything—the magic is in how simple ingredients shine when combined just right!

White cake mix and required ingredients: The base for our Flag Cake—fluffy, neutral, and ready to be dressed up. Follow the box for eggs, oil, and water.
Heavy whipping cream (1 cup): Makes the frosting extra light and airy, balancing the richness of cream cheese.
Powdered sugar (1/4 cup): Sweetens the whipped cream without grittiness—essential for a dreamy texture.
Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Adds tang and stability to the frosting, making every bite luscious.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Gives the cream cheese mixture the right touch of sweetness.
Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the creaminess with delicate flavor depth.
Fresh blueberries (1 pint): Perfect for the “stars” area—plump, juicy, and a classic blue for our flag motif.
Fresh strawberries (1 pint, hulled and sliced): Vibrant red “stripes” that add tartness and a gorgeous pop of color.

How to Make Flag Cake

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven according to the cake mix box instructions—hot and ready to start celebrating! Grease your 9×13-inch baking pan well. Mix the cake batter as directed with eggs, oil, and water; then pour it into the prepared pan. Bake just as the package recommends, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan, so your topping won’t melt when you move to the next step.

Step 2: Make the Whipped Cream

In a large, chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar together. Start slowly, then increase speed until firm peaks form. You’ll end up with billowy, sweet whipped cream—don’t overbeat, or it can get grainy. Set aside for a minute while you move on to the next bowl.

Step 3: Blend the Cream Cheese Mixture

In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until ultra-smooth and creamy. This step is the key to a velvety, stable frosting that can hold up your berry flag design.

Step 4: Combine to Make the Frosting

Now, gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Take your time—light, steady strokes keep everything fluffy. Once it’s all blended, you’ll have a tangy, cloudlike frosting that’s easy to spread and rich without being too heavy.

Step 5: Frost and Decorate the Flag Cake

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over your completely cooled cake. Use a spatula to smooth every corner—this is your edible canvas! For the fun part, arrange blueberries in the top left corner to create the “stars.” Then, line up the strawberry slices in neat stripes along the remaining sections. The effect is festive, classic, and always a crowd-pleaser.

How to Serve Flag Cake

Garnishes

To give your Flag Cake an extra festive touch, add a drizzle of honey or a few mint leaves for freshness right before serving. Or, dust lightly with extra powdered sugar for a delicate, pretty finish that makes each slice look extra special.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully with cool, simple accompaniments: think lemonade, berry salads, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re going all-out, offer fresh fruit skewers or a bowl of whipped cream for folks who want even more creamy goodness with their slice of Flag Cake.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the Flag Cake into individual squares and serve on mini plates for a casual party, or stack the slices with extra berries between layers for an impressive layer-cake effect. You can also use cupcake liners to create “flag bites”—just as festive, and incredibly snackable for guests of all ages.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep the Flag Cake at its best, cover the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator. The frosting and fruit keep it moist and delicious for up to 3 days—perfect for sneaking an extra bite every time you open the fridge!

Freezing

While fresh berries are best, you can freeze portions of the unfrosted cake for convenience. Simply let the base cake cool, wrap tightly, and stash in the freezer for up to two months. For a decorated Flag Cake, freezing can make the berries mushy, so it’s best to enjoy the finished masterpiece fresh.

Reheating

This Flag Cake is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. If you’ve stored it in the fridge, let it sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving to bring out the best frosting texture and berry flavor.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake instead of a boxed mix?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite white or yellow cake recipe, feel free to use it as the base. Just make sure it fits a 9×13-inch pan so your Flag Cake comes out the perfect size for decorating.

What other fruits work for the “flag” design?

Raspberries or even sliced cherries can sub in for strawberries to create the red stripes. Some people like to use blackberries for a darker blue shade. The key is using fresh, vibrant fruit for best results.

Can I make the Flag Cake in advance?

Yes! You can bake the cake and prepare the frosting a day ahead. Just store them separately in the fridge, then assemble with berries just before serving for a fresh look and taste.

How do I keep the berries looking fresh on the cake?

Pat the berries dry with paper towels before placing them on the frosting. You can also brush the fruit with a little warmed apricot jam or jelly for shine and extra staying power.

Is this recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions?

This Flag Cake is vegetarian, but for gluten-free or dairy-free needs, substitute with an appropriate cake mix and swap the cream cheese and whipped cream with non-dairy alternatives. The decoration possibilities stay just as festive!

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to wow your guests and create delicious new memories, this Flag Cake is a tried-and-true recipe that always delights. Give it a whirl this holiday—or anytime you want to add a little colorful cheer to your table—and don’t forget to take a photo before the first slice disappears!

Flag Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 6 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 50 minutes (plus cooling time)
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Celebrate patriotic holidays with this delightful Flag Cake recipe. A moist white cake topped with a creamy frosting, fresh blueberries, and sliced strawberries, creating a beautiful flag design that’s perfect for 4th of July celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

White Cake:

1 box white cake mix
Ingredients listed on the box (eggs, oil, water)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Decoration:

1 pint fresh blueberries
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven and prepare cake batter as directed. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan until done. Let cool.
Make Frosting: Beat cream and sugar until stiff. In another bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.
Assemble: Spread frosting on cooled cake. Arrange blueberries in the top left corner and strawberries in rows to create flag design.
Serve: Chill until ready to serve.