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Perfect Patriotic Firecracker Cake with Candy Pop Rocks Frosting

patriotic firecracker cake - featured image
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A festive and easy-to-make layered cake with red, white, and blue colors, topped with a creamy frosting that includes crackling candy Pop Rocks for a playful twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Blue gel food coloring
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons (30-45ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • ½ cup candy Pop Rocks, assorted flavors (red and blue preferred)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with 1 cup buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain, add red gel food coloring to second, blue to third. Mix gently.
  7. Layer batters in pans: red first, then white, then blue. Avoid mixing layers.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks until completely cool (about 1 hour).
  10. For frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream, until smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  11. Gently fold ½ cup candy Pop Rocks into frosting just before applying.
  12. Assemble cake by layering cake and frosting, finishing with frosting on top and sides. Optionally sprinkle a few Pop Rocks on top before serving.

Notes

For cleaner layers, chill cake layers for 15 minutes before frosting. Fold Pop Rocks gently into frosting just before applying to preserve crackle. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Can substitute almond flour for gluten-free and coconut cream for dairy-free frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic cake, firecracker cake, pop rocks frosting, layered cake, 4th of July dessert, easy cake recipe, colorful cake

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/perfect-patriotic-firecracker-cake-recipe-with-easy-pop-rocks-frosting-tutorial/