Easy Red White and Blue Cake for July 4th

Vanilla cake with red, white and blue m&m's on the side.

5 from 1 vote

Easy Red White and Blue Cake for July 4th

This easy red, white, and blue cake is the perfect patriotic dessert for July 4th! Make it with a box mix or a store-bought cake, then decorate with homemade buttercream and colorful chocolate candies for a fun, festive treat that’s as cute as it is delicious.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Mixing time 6

Total Time 26

Servings servings

Calories 155kcal

Author Lise Sullivan Ode

Ingredients

For the cake

1 yellow cake mix, prepared according to package (or 2 walmart 6-inch cakes if you want to do the glow-up version)

For the frosting

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar or 16 ounces
¼ cup heavy whipping cream or 3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups M&M candies in red, white and blue

Instructions

For the cake

Prepare cake mix according to package. Bake in 2 greased 6-inch round cake pans for approximately 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Let cool. Or use two 6-inch Walmart cakes. Here’s the glow-up: scrape off the store-bought frosting (yes, it’s legal), slather it with dreamy homemade buttercream.

For the buttercream.

Beat softened butter on medium speed with an electric or stand mixer. Beat for 3 minutes until smooth and creamy.
Add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla extract with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Note: If the frosting is too thick, you can add a little more cream. Just add one tablespoon at a time, then mix thoroughly until you get the consistency you like.
*Note: If you don't have heavy cream, you can use milk or water instead. If using milk or water, I would try 3 tablespoons instead of ¼ cup. If it's too thick, add another tablespoon.
For the decoration, place M&M's on side of cake in a diagonal line in each color. Start with red, then white, then blue. Repeat until you have gone all around the cake. Pipe swirls of frosting on top using a 1M pastry tip. Add more M&M's to top of cake and paper flags, if desired.

Notes

Substitute your favorite colors on this cake if you want to make it for a sporting event or birthday party.

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