Easy Red White and Blue Cake: A Patriotic Treat for July 4th

Every 4th of July, I remember the dazzling desserts my Nonna used to make—cakes so vibrant they looked like fireworks on a plate. Her favorite? A playful, swirled bundt cake bursting with patriotic colors and topped with a sugary drizzle and sprinkles. We called it the firecracker cake because of its surprise inside: bold layers of red, white, and blue that lit up every slice.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to a picnic, or just love festive baking, this red white and blue cake is your new go-to. It’s colorful, kid-friendly, beginner-approved, and perfect for Memorial Day, Independence Day, or any summer celebration. Think of it as an edible fireworks display—minus the loud noises!

What You Need to Make a Red White and Blue Cake

Before we bake, gather your festive ingredients and tools. This is a boxed cake mix recipe with a homemade twist—easy, efficient, and oh-so-delicious.

Main Cake Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 cup sour cream or heavy cream
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup egg whites (about 5 large)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional for flavor boost)
  • Red and blue gel food coloring

Frosting & Decorations

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt
  • Additional red and blue gel coloring
  • Patriotic sprinkles (stars, stripes, red-white-blue blends)

Pan & Tools

  • Bundt pan (6 or 12-cup)
  • Mixing bowls (at least three)
  • Spoons or piping bags for drizzle

Why Use a Boxed Mix for Your Red White and Blue Cake?

Don’t underestimate the power of a good ol’ boxed white cake mix—especially when it’s “doctored up” with sour cream, egg whites, and cream. The result? A moist cake from box mix that’s just as satisfying as homemade, minus the guesswork.

For busy parents or last-minute planners, this trick is gold. It also means you can focus more on what makes this a color swirl cake masterpiece—those show-stopping vibrant layers and dreamy buttercream drizzle.

Pro Tip: Sour cream adds richness and tang, while egg whites keep the texture airy and light.

How to Make a Red White and Blue Cake: Step-by-Step

Red White and Blue Cake decorated with patriotic frosting drizzle and star sprinkles, served on a white plate for July 4th.

Ready to bake your patriotic cake? Let’s create those fireworks in every bite.

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your bundt pan well.
  2. Mix the batter: In a large bowl, combine white cake mix, sour cream/heavy cream, oil, egg whites, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
  3. Divide the batter into three bowls:
    • Leave one bowl white.
    • Tint one with red food coloring.
    • Tint the last with blue food coloring.
  4. Let the colored batters rest for 5–10 minutes for the colors to intensify.
  5. Layer in bundt pan: Pour the red batter first, then white, and finish with blue. Avoid swirling—layers are better than a blend!
  6. Bake for 40–45 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean). Internal temp should hit 205°F.
  7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Let cool completely before decorating.

Bundt Pan Tips for Your Red White and Blue Cake

  • 6-cup bundt pan: Remove ½ to ¾ cup batter to prevent overflow.
  • 12-cup pan: Cake will be shorter but still stunning!
  • Don’t have a bundt pan? Use a loaf or round pan, adjusting baking time as needed.

Decorating Your Red White and Blue Cake with Frosting and Sprinkles

Now for the best part—frosting that drizzles like fireworks .

Buttercream Drizzle

  1. Cream the butter with a pinch of salt until smooth.
  2. Add powdered sugar gradually, then cream and vanilla until fluffy.
  3. Divide frosting into three bowls. Color one red, one blue, and leave one white.
  4. Microwave each color for 5–10 seconds to make it pourable (like a thick syrup).
  5. Drizzle in layers: white first, followed by red and blue. Use a spoon or zip bag.
  6. Immediately top with sprinkles before frosting sets.

This drizzle technique makes your cake with sprinkles a visual centerpiece—an Instagram-worthy dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Extra Tips for the Perfect Red White and Blue Cake

  • Gel food coloring gives vibrant results without thinning your batter.
  • Softening butter fast? Microwave at 30% power in 5-10 second bursts.
  • Cool cake fully before frosting to avoid melting colors.
  • Use piping bags or spoons for more control with your drizzle.
  • Want to impress? Add edible glitter or small flag toppers for patriotic cake decorations.

Red White and Blue Cake Nutrition Information

Based on 12 servings:

  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Carbs: 46g
  • Fat: 21g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Sugar: 33g

Lighten it up: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, or opt for a sugar-free frosting alternative.

Love this cake? Try these other festive showstoppers:

Want more deliciously festive ideas?

  • Follow Kai Recipe on Facebook for more festive baking ideas
  • Explore more creative recipes on our Pinterest profile
  • Get inspired with our 4th of July food ideas board on Pinterest
Print
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Red white and blue bundt cake topped with patriotic frosting and star sprinkles on a white plate.

Easy Red White and Blue Cake: A Patriotic Treat for July 4th


  • Author: Kai
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

You’re going to love this one—imagine the burst of flavors, the vibrant textures, and that secret twist that makes this recipe absolutely irresistible; trust me, you need to try this ASAP! This red white and blue bundt cake is not just a dessert, it’s an edible fireworks display perfect for July 4th, Memorial Day, or any summer celebration.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 cup sour cream or heavy cream
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup egg whites (about 5 large)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
  • Red and blue gel food coloring
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 23 tbsp heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt
  • Additional red and blue gel coloring
  • Patriotic sprinkles
  • Bundt pan (6 or 12-cup)
  • Mixing bowls (at least three)
  • Spoons or piping bags for drizzle

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your bundt pan well.
  2. In a large bowl, mix white cake mix, sour cream/heavy cream, oil, egg whites, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Divide the batter into three bowls: leave one white, tint one red, and one blue. Let rest 5–10 minutes.
  4. Layer batter in pan: red, then white, then blue. Do not swirl.
  5. Bake 40–45 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean (internal temp 205°F).
  6. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then invert onto wire rack. Cool completely.
  7. Cream butter with salt, add sugar, then cream and vanilla until fluffy.
  8. Divide frosting into three bowls: red, blue, and white. Microwave each for 5–10 seconds to make pourable.
  9. Drizzle frosting over cooled cake in white-red-blue order using spoon or piping bag.
  10. Top with sprinkles immediately before frosting sets.

Notes

For best results, use gel food coloring to avoid thinning the batter and ensure vibrant colors. Cool cake completely before decorating. Add edible glitter or flag toppers for extra flair!

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 33g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 21g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 46g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: patriotic cake, red white blue dessert, July 4th cake, bundt cake, festive cake

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