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USA Flag Vanilla Sheet Cake

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Resting time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the vanilla sheet cake:

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup granulated cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

For the vanilla buttercream:

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
  • 4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

For decorating:

  • 12 to 14 oz fresh raspberries washed and dried
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries washed and dried

Instructions

To make the vanilla sheet cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and line with parchment paper a 9x13" baking pan.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the sugar, softened butter, and olive oil. Mix on LOW speed until incorporated then beat on HIGH speed for 2 to 3 minutes, until very light and fluffy.
  • On Medium speed, add the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Beat 2 more minutes.
  • Add the buttermilk, sour cream, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until smooth, but it's okay if it looks curdle-like.
  • Add the flour mixture and mix just until combined. Use a rubber spatula to help finish folding in the flour to prevent any over mixing (which causes dense cake).
  • Transfer the cake batter to the prepared pan. Evenly spread out the top with a rubber spatula.
  • Bake on the middle rack for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  • Let cool in the pan for 20 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the buttercream:

  • Combine the softened cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes, until very smooth and light.
  • Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Once incorporated, add a splash of heavy cream at a time to help loosen up and fluff up the buttercream. Add the vanilla and salt. Beat for 3 to 4 minutes, until light and fluffy.

To decorate:

  • Add a thin layer of frosting around the top and sides of the sheet cake. You are creating a blank canvas for your design!
  • Add the blueberries in a square at the upper lefthand corner. Transfer a small amount of frosting to a piping bag with a small star tip. Pipe small star mounds in between the blueberries.
  • Alternate between layers of raspberries and buttercream (in a larger star tip piping bag) for the red and white stripes.
  • Keep away from direct heat and sunlight prior to serving. Best decorated day of serving.
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