Sunday, June 10, 2012

Red, White and Blue Cake

Here's a fun idea if you have a checkerboard cake pan. While the decorative coconut is pretty, the fun starts when you cut it-folks really get a kick out of the cake colors!
The coconut is colored by adding coconut and food coloring drops to a sandwich baggie and
kneading it until you reach the desired color. 
I made the star by laying a cookie cutter on the icing and filling it with coconut, pushing down lightly.
I would chop the coconut finer for a detailed decoration like this the next time.
Star on top, stripes in the middle.
I'm very happy with both the cake and icing recipes, they are keepers!

Earl says... 
I don't know who she thinks is washing all these dishes, 
but I'm only here to lick the beater!

Simple 9" White Cake adapted from Allrecipes
1 C sugar
1/2 C butter
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C A/P flour
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 C milk
  1. Beat sugar and butter well.
  2. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
  3. Sift the flour and baking powder and add it and milk to wet, mix well.
  4. Pour into a greased and floured 9" cake pan.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool for a while in the pan, then turn out onto cake dish and cool completely.
Notes for tri-colored cake:
1/3 C of batter for center color
1 C of batter for middle ring
1 1/3 C of batter for outer ring.
This recipe makes more than these measurements, I tried to divvy up the leftover proportionally between the three. Or you could just make a cupcake with the extra (that was Earl's suggestion:@)

White Icing adapted from Allrecipes
2 C powdered sugar
1/2 C shortening-sub any amount of butter you'd like, I used 2 Tblsp butter
1 Tblsp water-you might need to add a little more, I used 1 1/2 Tblsp
1/2 tsp vanilla
  1. Slowly mix everything until sugar is incorporated.
  2. Scrape down the sides and let 'er rip for about 5 minutes.

36 comments:

  1. Looks great, Lynn. Perfect dessert for the 4th. xo

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  2. Both this cake and the Lemonade pie are great for the 4th! Loved the sprinkles in the crust! Your ace at decorating Lynn!

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  3. Earl better be careful licking all those beaters, he might lose his 'boyish' figure! This cake looks good. I don't have that kind of pan but it's a cute idea and might make a great gift for my daughter who likes to bake! hugs, Linda

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  4. I'm with Earl!! Beautiful cake. I'm always impressed but have never tried the technique.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  5. Look at Earl getting into everything! He doesn't want to wait for the cake...he is getting into the batter! I love this cake, and my family would love it if I made them one! Thanks for posting!!!

    xo,
    RJ

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  6. You always have neat kitchen things. Of course that includes Earl. I have seen those pans but never used one. Neat idea but I have ANOTHER question. Where do you store all you wonderful pans and special finds?
    xo

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  7. That's beautiful, Lynn! Love it!

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  8. Wow! That is great for the 4th or flag day! Great weather today!

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  9. Hi Lynn,
    Are you doing a pre-test before the 4th! Wow, what a lovely cake and it looks and sounds yummy.
    I with Earl.....let's lick the bowl!!

    hugs
    Sissie

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  10. Wow, what a fun cake for July 4th. I just happen to have one of those cake pans that I haven't used in ages. Love the addition of the colored coconut!

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  11. Yet another reason to buy a cool cake pan attachment! This is so pretty!

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  12. Hi Lynn! Oh, this is such a darling cake! I need one of these checkerboard cake pans and thank you for the recipe!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  13. This cake looks so "Forth of July" festive and delicious!

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  14. What a great cake for the 4th!! That Earl must still be licking his chops. That must be his idea of helping you clean up! p.s I LOVE him.

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  15. Lots of red white and blue "pastriotic" ideas in these last two posts! (Yes, I just made up a new word... for pastries and pies and cakes that are patriotic.)

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  16. I love the former post of the crust too. It makes me love crumb crust even more. Your cake is so pretty. What is so tempting about a colored cake. I just know the colored parts are going to taste better! Too cute. I thought at first Earl was taking over the washing - silly me, should have known - he is way too much like me!!!

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  17. Hi Lynn,
    I would not only lick the beater, but have a piece of that wonderful cake. Looks really cheery.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  18. Looks like Earl got the best job in the house! That is a very pretty cake. I've seen those cake pans, but didn't know if they actually work. Thanks for showing that they do. Love the way you decorated the cake too. Have a great week Lynn.

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  19. Lynn~ Your cake is perfect for Flag Day and celebrating the RW&B! Love the colored coconut and Earl's suggestion for the cupcake :)

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  20. Hmmm hmmm!!! This looks great..and the coconut makes it even better. Happy Monday!

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  21. It's all very fun and festive. The 4th will be here before we know it!

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  22. This is so cool looking! I need to get one of those pans!

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  23. Cute as can be, I don't have that pan, but will be on the look out for one now!

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  24. What a great idea and recipe I am surely going to try this lots of birthdays coming up. B

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  25. Hi Lynn,
    What a great cake for the upcoming celebrations! I love the way you decorated it, great! Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  26. This is a happy fun looking cake. I'll bet it's delicous too. I'm going to have to keep this recipe for future cake making.

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  27. Well isn't that PRETTY! I love the way you added the star decoration, thanks for the tip!! :)

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  28. A beautiful cake -- and such a great idea for the 4th. Now I want one of those pans! :)

    Thank you for sharing at Rural Thursdays this week. xoxo

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  29. It's a very beautiful cake, and very patriotic!
    Wonderful job

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  30. Cute recipe. Can't wait to try. Found you through Sweets for a Saturday blog hop.

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