How to Customize Different Types of Fabulous 4th of July Cakes

Odds are, you may be headed to a Fourth of July barbecue this year. In fact, according to the USDA Agricultural Statistics Service, as many as 175 million hot dogs are expected to be consumed this year, only proving the love Americans have for heading outdoors and sharing a summertime meal. Before picking up a picnic salad or bag of cookies at the bakery, contemplate adding a unique touch to the Fourth of July festivities you’ll attend by making a fabulous patriotic cake.

Decorate with Fruit

Fruit is a great way to spruce up a plain or store-bought cake, displaying the colors of our flag in an array of berries, with dollops of whipped creams and frosting to complement. In season, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries can decorate the top of pound cakes, angel food and sheet cakes, baked at home or picked up from the grocery store. Arranged in a flag-like pattern or simply lined up for the enjoyment of the patriotic colors, berries and other in-season fruit can add juiciness and flavor to the simplest of confections for your Fourth of July barbecue celebrations.

Food Coloring

While fruit is a delicious way to add color to Fourth of July cakes, food coloring can be another simple way bakers can spruce up their sweet treat. After separating a simple cake batter into three parts, you can add a few drops of red and blue food coloring to two of the equal parts. Fill plastic bags with the red, white and blue colored cake batter and pipe in layers into cupcake tins for a striped appearance. Top with whipped cream or icing.

Cupcakes can be an easy way to serve guests and barbecue goers a single serving of their freedom-filled desserts without the mess and fuss of knives and forks. The same idea can be used in layering a traditional cake, which can be frosted with white icing or cream cheese frosting for a red, white and blue surprise. Whether using a traditional sheet cake pan or a loaf, coloring your cake batter prior to baking is sure to wow fellow celebrators without the expertise it may appear to require.

Statue of Liberty Designs

Creating a Fourth of July themed cake is not limited to a red, white and blue motif. Instead, cupcakes baked within a green-dyed ice cream cone and embellished with sugared flames can mimic the appearance of Lady Liberty’s torch. Thinking about the many themes surrounding American freedom can result in even more creative cakes and ideas.

The white of the American flag signifies purity; the red, hardiness and valor; the blue, the color of the chief. You can celebrate the declaration of Independence with a cake, enjoying the sweet taste of red, white and blue fruit or frosting amongst pounds of meat, salty chips and traditional strawberry lemonade.