Easy M&M Cake Recipe for July 4th

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

5 from 1 vote

Easy M&M Cake Recipe for July 4th

Easy M&M Cake Recipe for July 4th - Two layers of a boxed mix cake with homemade buttercream plus red, white, and blue M&M's candies in a festive stripe pattern on the side.

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 We used Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake

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. Fill and frost with 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.

Nutrition