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Flavorful American Flag Poke Cake Recipe Perfect for 4th of July Dessert

american flag poke cake - featured image
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A festive and delicious poke cake featuring blue raspberry syrup soaked into a moist vanilla cake, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries arranged to resemble the American flag. Perfect for 4th of July celebrations or any patriotic event.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box white cake mix (e.g., Pillsbury)
  • Ingredients called for on the cake mix box (typically eggs, oil, water)
  • 1 cup blue raspberry syrup (store-bought like Torani or homemade)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and set aside.
  2. Prepare the cake batter according to the cake mix box instructions using the recommended eggs, oil, and water. Beat until smooth, about 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center to check doneness; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  4. While the cake is still warm, poke holes all over the surface about 1 inch apart using a wooden skewer or large fork.
  5. Slowly pour the blue raspberry syrup evenly over the cake, letting it seep into the holes. Use a spatula to gently spread the syrup if needed. Let the cake cool completely at room temperature (about 1 hour).
  6. Chill a mixing bowl and beaters for 10 minutes in the fridge. Pour cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into the bowl. Whip on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (about 3-5 minutes). Avoid overwhipping.
  7. Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cooled cake using a rubber spatula.
  8. Arrange sliced strawberries in stripes on one side of the cake to mimic the red stripes of the American flag. Add extra dollops of blue raspberry syrup or a few blueberries to create the blue section if desired.
  9. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and the cake to set.

Notes

Make plenty of holes when poking the cake to ensure syrup soaks deeply. Chill mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream for best results. Use fresh strawberries for best flavor and color. Avoid putting whipped cream on warm cake to prevent melting. For a lighter or dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or use dairy-free whipped topping. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: poke cake, 4th of July dessert, American flag cake, blue raspberry syrup, patriotic dessert, strawberry cake, whipped cream topping

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/flavorful-american-flag-poke-cake-recipe-perfect-for-4th-of-july-dessert/