Election Day is right around the corner. And no matter your political views, we’re sure you’ll be casting your vote in favor of this patriotic (and completely delicious) dessert. Made by our pal Beth Branch of Bethcakes, this Red, White & Blue Layer Cake is the consummate confection for an Election Night night party.
“This cake is so easy to make,” says Beth, who suggests going for easy recipes on high-intensity days like this one. “It’s my favorite basic white cake recipe, which turns out nice and fluffy. All you need is some red and blue food coloring! The outside is decorated with tinted white chocolate ganache and topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side wouldn’t hurt! You could even serve it with a warm mug of hot chocolate if it’s a chilly night.”
Scroll on down for the recipe.
Red, White & Blue Layer Cake by Beth Branch of Bethcakes
Ingredients for Red, White & Blue Cake Layers
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large egg whites
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Red and blue gel food coloring
Directions for Cake Layers
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three round 8-inch baking pans with parchment paper. Spray pans and parchment with nonstick spray. Cream butter on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar and mix until fluffy. Add vanilla and egg whites; mix well. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add half of flour mixture and half of buttermilk to the butter/sugar mixture; mix until just combined. Add remaining flour and buttermilk; mix until completely combined. Pour ⅓ of the batter into one cake pan. Divide the remaining batter in half. Tint one half red and the other half blue. Pour batter into cake pans. Bake 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. Let cake layers cool in pans for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ingredients for Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- 1 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Directions for Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Cream butter on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add vanilla and half of the powdered sugar. Mix on low speed at first, until just combined, then medium-high speed until completely combined. Repeat with remaining powdered sugar.
Ingredients for White Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Red or blue gel food coloring
Directions for White Chocolate Ganache
Place white chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until just beginning to simmer. Do not boil. Remove from heat and pour over white chocolate chips. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until chocolate chips are completely melted and ganache is smooth. Cool completely. Tint ganache red or blue, or divide it in half and tint both.
Assembly
Garnish for Cake
- Patriotic sprinkles
- American flag cupcake toppers
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh blueberries
Directions for Assembly
Place the blue cake layer on a cake plate or stand. Spread frosting evenly over cake. Repeat with white and red cake layers. Spread frosting around the outside of the cake. Drizzle white chocolate ganache over the frosted cake, letting it drip down the sides. Pipe swirls of frosting around the top of the cake, if desired. Decorate with sprinkles, mini American flags, fresh strawberries and blueberries.
