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Perfect Red Velvet Flag Cake Recipe Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

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A stunning and simple red velvet flag cake with silky smooth cream cheese frosting, perfect for celebrations and quick to make in under 90 minutes.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 2 ½ cups (300 g)
  • Sugar – 1 ½ cups (300 g), granulated
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder – 2 tablespoons (15 g)
  • Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
  • Salt – ½ teaspoon
  • Buttermilk – 1 cup (240 ml), room temperature (or homemade: milk + vinegar)
  • Vegetable oil – 1 cup (240 ml)
  • Large eggs – 2, room temperature
  • Red food coloring – 2 tablespoons (gel-based preferred)
  • Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
  • White vinegar – 1 teaspoon
  • Cream cheese – 8 oz (225 g), softened (full fat)
  • Unsalted butter – ½ cup (115 g), softened
  • Powdered sugar – 4 cups (480 g), sifted
  • Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
  • Pinch of salt
  • Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk sugar and oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in buttermilk, vanilla, red food coloring, and vinegar.
  4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture with a spatula until just combined.
  5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Tap pans gently to release air bubbles.
  6. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed. Add vanilla, salt, and lemon juice, then whip until fluffy.
  9. Level cake tops if needed. Cut one cake into strips to create flag stripes. Arrange strips in flag pattern using frosting between layers and to seal sides.
  10. Chill assembled cake for 30 minutes to set. Frost top and sides evenly.
  11. Decorate with leftover frosting as desired. Refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake tender. Gel food coloring provides vibrant color without thinning batter. Chill frosting if too soft before applying. Brush cake with simple syrup if dry. Cut cake strips carefully with serrated knife for flag design. Bake and cool cakes ahead to save time.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, flag cake, cream cheese frosting, celebration cake, easy red velvet, homemade frosting, layered cake

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/perfect-red-velvet-flag-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting/