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Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake

Looking for a dessert that’s as vibrant as a 4th of July flag and super simple to make? This Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake is your perfect treat! With a fluffy vanilla cake soaked in strawberry Jello, topped with creamy whipped cream, and decorated with fresh strawberries and blueberries to resemble the American flag, it’s a showstopping, no-fuss dessert ideal for Independence Day, summer picnics, or any patriotic celebration. It’s so easy, kids can help arrange the berries. Ready to create this red, white, and blue masterpiece? Let’s get baking!

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Overview: Why This Cake Shines

What makes the Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake so special? It’s a moist, flavorful cake with a fun Jello soak, creamy topping, and a stunning flag design that’s sure to wow your guests. Here’s why you’ll love it:

Time Requirement: About 20 minutes prep, 25-35 minutes baking (per cake mix box), plus 3-4 hours chilling.
Difficulty Level: Super easy! Uses a cake mix and ready-made whipped cream, perfect for beginners or kids.
Why It’s Awesome: It’s refreshing, versatile, and the flag design makes it a festive crowd-pleaser.

This cake is perfect for 4th of July barbecues, potlucks, or any gathering needing a patriotic touch. Let’s check out the ingredients!

Essential Ingredients

An Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake needs simple ingredients for a 9×13-inch pan (serves 12-16). Here’s what you’ll need:

Cake Base:
- 16.5 oz vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- Why it matters: The vanilla cake mix creates a light, fluffy base that absorbs the Jello for extra flavor.
- Substitutions: Use a white or yellow cake mix. For homemade, mix 3 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla. Use vegetable oil or melted butter for canola oil.
Jello Layer:
- 3 oz strawberry Jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- Why it matters: Strawberry Jello adds a sweet, red soak that enhances flavor and the patriotic theme.
- Substitutions: Use raspberry or cherry Jello for a similar red color. Sugar-free Jello works for a lighter option.
Topping and Decoration:
- 8 oz whipped cream (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 ½ quarts strawberries
- Why it matters: Whipped cream creates a white “flag” background, while blueberries and strawberries form the blue field and red stripes.
- Substitutions: Use Cool Whip or make whipped cream (2 cups heavy cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla). Swap blueberries for blackberries, strawberries for raspberries or sliced cherries.

Tip: Use fresh, ripe berries for vibrant colors and flavor. Pat berries dry to prevent excess moisture. Choose a reliable cake mix brand for consistent results.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s make this Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake with these easy steps. Follow along with tips to make it perfect!

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Wash 1 pint blueberries and 1 ½ quarts strawberries under cold water. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Hull strawberries by removing green tops with a small knife or huller, then slice lengthwise into thin pieces.
- Tip: Dry berries well to keep the cake neat. Slice strawberries evenly for uniform stripes.

Step 2: Bake the Cake

Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box (usually 350°F/175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray or butter and flour.
In a large bowl, combine 16.5 oz vanilla cake mix, 1 cup water, 3 eggs, and ⅓ cup canola oil. Mix according to package directions (usually 2 minutes with a hand mixer).
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake as directed (typically 25-35 minutes) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the cake in the pan for 15-20 minutes.
- Tip: Follow box timing closely to avoid overbaking. Use a glass or metal pan for even baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Jello

In a medium bowl, dissolve 3 oz strawberry Jello mix in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved (about 2 minutes).
Add ½ cup cold water and mix well.
- Tip: Stir thoroughly to avoid grainy texture. Let Jello cool slightly (but not set) before pouring.

Step 4: Poke and Soak the Cake

Using the tines of a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cooled cake, about 1 inch apart, going halfway through.
Slowly pour the Jello mixture evenly over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes.
Allow the cake to finish cooling completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes).
- Tip: Pour Jello gradually to fill holes evenly. Use a fork for smaller, more uniform holes.

Step 5: Add Whipped Cream

Spread 8 oz whipped cream evenly over the cooled cake using a spatula.
- Tip: For homemade whipped cream, beat 2 cups chilled heavy cream with ¼ cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread smoothly for a clean flag base.

Step 6: Decorate the Flag

In the top left corner of the cake, arrange 5 or more rows of blueberries to form the blue star field (about a 4×5-inch rectangle).
Arrange sliced strawberries in 4 horizontal rows across the remaining cake to create red stripes, leaving white whipped cream visible between rows as white stripes.
- Tip: Place berries tightly to mimic flag stripes. Adjust rows based on pan size for a balanced look.

Step 7: Chill and Serve

Cover the cake with plastic wrap or a lid and chill in the fridge for 3-4 hours to set the Jello and flavors.
Slice into squares and serve chilled for a refreshing treat.
- Tip: Wipe the knife between cuts for neat slices. Serve on patriotic plates with extra berries on the side for flair.

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Assembly: Building Your Flag Cake

Creating an Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake is like designing a delicious, edible American flag! Here’s how to make it look amazing:

Vanilla Cake Base: Bake a fluffy cake to soak up the Jello.
Strawberry Jello Soak: Poke and pour red Jello for a vibrant, flavorful layer.
Whipped Cream Layer: Spread white whipped cream for the flag’s white stripes.
Berry Flag Design: Arrange blueberries for the blue star field and strawberry slices for red stripes.
- Presentation Tip: Serve on a red, white, or blue platter with extra berries or star sprinkles scattered around. Add small flag picks for a 4th of July vibe!

Tip: Arrange berries carefully to keep the flag design neat. Chill before serving to set the Jello for clean slices.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Want to enjoy your Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake later? Here’s how to keep it fresh:

Storing Leftovers:
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Note: Berries may release juices over time; add fresh berries if decorating again before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Bake the cake and add Jello layer up to a day ahead; refrigerate covered.
- Prep and slice berries a day early, storing in the fridge in sealed containers.
- Add whipped cream and berry decoration 3-4 hours before serving to keep them fresh.
- Tip: For parties, assemble the cake and Jello a day ahead, then top with whipped cream and berries before guests arrive.

This cake is perfect for prepping ahead for stress-free celebrations!

Recipe Variations

The Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake is super fun to customize! Try these ideas:

Mixed Berry Flag: Use raspberries or cherries for red stripes and blackberries for the blue field.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free vanilla cake mix and ensure Jello is gluten-free.
Lemon Twist: Use lemon Jello for a citrusy flavor, keeping red and blue berries for the flag look.
No-Bake Version: Use a no-bake cheesecake or pudding base instead of cake, chilling to set with Jello.
Mini Flags: Bake in muffin tins for individual flag cupcakes, topping with Jello, cream, and berries.

Get creative—every version is a patriotic delight!

Conclusion

This Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake is the ultimate dessert for patriotic celebrations! With its fluffy vanilla cake, strawberry Jello soak, creamy whipped cream, and flag-inspired berry design, it’s perfect for 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any gathering. It’s a lighter treat with fresh fruit, super quick to make with a cake mix, and so fun to customize. Grab your baking pan, get the kids to help arrange the berries, and create this star-spangled treat. Share your creations in the comments—I’d love to see your red, white, and blue cakes!

Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake

Author: Alyssa

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Description

Ingredients

Scale

An Easy Strawberry Jello Flag Cake needs simple ingredients for a 9×13-inch pan (serves 12-16). Here’s what you’ll need:

Cake Base:
- 16.5 oz vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- Why it matters: The vanilla cake mix creates a light, fluffy base that absorbs the Jello for extra flavor.
- Substitutions: Use a white or yellow cake mix. For homemade, mix 3 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla. Use vegetable oil or melted butter for canola oil.
Jello Layer:
- 3 oz strawberry Jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- Why it matters: Strawberry Jello adds a sweet, red soak that enhances flavor and the patriotic theme.
- Substitutions: Use raspberry or cherry Jello for a similar red color. Sugar-free Jello works for a lighter option.
Topping and Decoration:
- 8 oz whipped cream (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 ½ quarts strawberries
- Why it matters: Whipped cream creates a white “flag” background, while blueberries and strawberries form the blue field and red stripes.
- Substitutions: Use Cool Whip or make whipped cream (2 cups heavy cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla). Swap blueberries for blackberries, strawberries for raspberries or sliced cherries.

Tip: Use fresh, ripe berries for vibrant colors and flavor. Pat berries dry to prevent excess moisture. Choose a reliable cake mix brand for consistent results.

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