Gluten Free American Flag Cake

Name: Gluten Free American Flag Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup fresh blueberries; 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced; 1 pint fresh raspberries, whole; 2 3/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 or Cup4Cup); 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour already contains it); 1 1/4 cups butter or dairy-free butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 1/4 cups whole milk or milk substitute; 1/4 cup sour cream, yogurt, or a non-dairy substitute; 1 cup butter or non-dairy butter, softened; 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted; 1/4 cup whole milk or non-dairy alternative; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 pinch of fine sea salt

What Is a Gluten Free American Flag Cake?

What Makes It “American Flag” Style?

An American flag cake is a classic red, white, and blue dessert that celebrates national holidays in delicious form. Typically shaped as a 9×13-inch sheet cake, it’s decorated with fresh berries, blueberries for the stars, strawberries and raspberries for the stripes, laid out to mimic the U.S. flag. The creamy white frosting serves as the “white” backdrop, making the fruit colors pop.

This design not only creates an eye-catching centerpiece but also makes slicing and serving easier than more intricate cake styles. The rectangular shape also allows you to scale the design up or down depending on the size of your celebration.

Why Go Gluten-Free? Health Benefits and Dietary Needs

More people today are choosing to go gluten-free, whether due to celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or simply aiming for healthier eating habits. A traditional cake made with wheat flour isn’t suitable for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip dessert.

This gluten free American flag cake uses a specialized all-purpose flour blend that delivers all the softness and structure of wheat flour, without the gluten. Options like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 or Cup4Cup are fan favorites for good reason: they bake well and offer the same moist crumb you’d expect from a traditional cake.

Not only does going gluten-free reduce inflammation and digestive issues for many people, but it also opens the door to dairy-free and allergy-conscious tweaks for family and friends with additional dietary restrictions.

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Gluten Free American Flag Cake

Key Ingredients Breakdown (Flours, Dairy Substitutes, Fruits)

To create a delicious gluten free American flag cake, every ingredient matters. Let’s break down what goes into the cake and why each item is important:

Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend is the foundation. Choose a reliable brand like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 or Cup4Cup. These blends are specially designed for baking and already include xanthan gum, which helps mimic the texture of gluten.

Baking powder and baking soda are essential leavening agents. They give your cake the lift it needs to become light and fluffy. Just double-check that they’re labeled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

Butter or non-dairy butter brings richness and moisture. If you’re avoiding dairy, options like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s Creamery work really well.

Sugar not only adds sweetness to the cake but also contributes to a beautifully golden-brown crust during baking. Use plain white granulated sugar for a smooth batter.

Eggs add structure and help hold everything together. For this recipe, extra-large eggs are best to ensure the cake has enough moisture.

Whole milk or a milk substitute keeps the batter smooth and creamy. Almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk all work well, so use what fits your dietary needs.

Sour cream or full-fat yogurt (or their dairy-free alternatives) gives the cake extra moisture and a subtle tang. This step is key for preventing dryness, which is common in gluten-free baking.

When it comes to the decoration, fresh berries are the stars of the show. You’ll need strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Slice the strawberries thin to create bold red stripes, position raspberries upside down for visual contrast and texture, and cluster blueberries in the top corner to mimic the stars of the American flag.

Each ingredient plays a specific role, so it’s important not to skip or substitute randomly, especially when baking gluten-free.

Choosing the Right Gluten-Free Flour Blend

Not all gluten-free flour blends perform the same way. Some are better for breads, while others work best for cakes and pastries. For this cake, you want a blend that mimics traditional cake flour. Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 is a great all-around option. Cup4Cup is another excellent choice and is known for producing a tender crumb that’s perfect for desserts.

If your flour blend doesn’t include xanthan gum, you’ll need to add about a teaspoon to the dry mix. Xanthan gum helps the cake hold its shape and improves the texture, giving it the soft bite you’d expect from a traditional sheet cake.

Also, make sure your flour blend is finely milled. Coarse gluten-free blends often make cakes dense or gritty, definitely not what we want here.

By choosing the right combination of flour, dairy substitutes, and fresh fruit, you’ll set yourself up for a moist, flavorful, and show-stopping patriotic cake that’s perfect for gluten-sensitive guests.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make the Best Gluten Free American Flag Cake

Preparing the Cake Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While the oven heats up, grease a 9×13-inch cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. This step makes it super easy to remove the cake without any cracking or sticking, especially important when working with gluten-free batters.

Next, grab a medium mixing bowl. In it, whisk together your gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t already include it. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures everything is evenly distributed before combining with the wet mix.

Now, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until it’s light and creamy. Then add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy. This step creates the airiness that helps make your gluten-free cake light rather than dense.

One by one, add your eggs to the butter-sugar mix, beating well after each addition. Don’t rush this part; incorporating the eggs fully helps your batter stay smooth and stable.

With the mixer running on low, gently add in half of the dry ingredients, allowing them to blend in gradually for a smooth batter. Then, pour in the milk and sour cream, mixing only until the batter comes together, avoiding overmixing. Blend until it’s mostly combined, then add the rest of the dry mix. Continue mixing just until everything comes together into a smooth, slightly thick batter. Be careful not to overmix, which can lead to a tougher crumb even in gluten-free baking.

Scrape the batter into the prepared cake pan. Use a spatula to level the top. Put the cake on the middle rack of your oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Next, transfer the cake to a wire rack and let it cool completely before adding the frosting.

Baking and Cooling the Cake Properly

Patience is key here. Letting the cake cool fully ensures that your frosting won’t melt or slide off. A warm cake can ruin the look and texture of your buttercream and decorations, so give it plenty of time, at least an hour, before you move on.

If your kitchen is warm, you can pop the cake into the fridge for 15-20 minutes after it reaches room temperature. This makes frosting easier and gives you a firm surface to decorate with clean lines.

Baking gluten-free cakes can sometimes result in uneven tops, depending on the flour and oven. If needed, you can carefully trim the top with a serrated knife to level it. This isn’t required, but it helps make the finished flag design look more professional.

With your cake baked and cooled, it’s time for the creamy frosting that pulls everything together.

Decorating Your Flag Cake with Fresh Berries

Arranging Strawberries, Blueberries & Raspberries

Decorating your gluten free American flag cake is easy and fun. You’ll need blueberries, sliced strawberries, and raspberries. These fruits combine to form the iconic red, white, and blue colors of the American flag.

Begin by creating a small blue square in the cake’s top-left corner. Then, use frosting to pipe tiny stars arranged in a neat rectangular pattern. Then place blueberries between the stars to fill the square. This will be your “stars” section of the flag.

Next, make rows across the cake using sliced strawberries. These represent the red stripes. Leave gaps between each row to create the white stripes.

In the white spaces, pipe frosting stars using a piping bag. Then, add raspberries between some rows to make the colors stand out even more.

Keep going with the pattern: strawberry row, frosting stars, raspberry row. Finish with a final frosting row at the bottom.

Piping Tips for a Clean Look

Use a piping bag with a star tip. Try piping a few stars on a plate first to get comfortable before decorating the cake. Squeeze, lift, and you’re done. It doesn’t need to be perfect. The fresh fruit will make the cake look beautiful either way.

When you’re done, pipe a row of frosting stars around the edge of the cake to give it a neat, finished look.

Finished gluten free American flag cake on table — Gluten Free American Flag Cake

FAQs About Gluten Free American Flag Cake

What is the best gluten free cake to make?

The best gluten free cake to make depends on your taste, but a vanilla sheet cake is always a great option—especially for decorating, like this American flag version. It’s light, simple, and pairs well with almost any frosting or topping. If you’re baking for a crowd, a flag cake with fresh fruit and buttercream is both festive and allergy-friendly.

Can Walmart Bakery make gluten free cakes?

Some Walmart stores offer gluten free cakes in their bakery section, but it depends on your location. They often stock pre-packaged gluten free desserts rather than custom cakes. Always ask if the cake is prepared in a gluten-free facility to avoid cross-contamination, especially if you have celiac disease.

Does Trader Joe’s have a gluten free cake?

Yes, Trader Joe’s carries a few gluten free cake options, including their popular gluten-free chocolate cupcakes and seasonal items like lemon cakes or brownies. While they may not offer a pre-made flag cake, you can find plenty of ingredients there to make your own from scratch.

Are Pillsbury cakes gluten-free?

Most traditional Pillsbury cake mixes are not gluten-free. However, Pillsbury does offer a limited selection of gluten free products, such as brownie and cookie mixes. Always check the label closely. For cake, it’s best to stick with trusted gluten-free brands like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Baking Company.

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Yield: 16