This Union Jack Red Velvet Layer Cake topped with Cream Cheese Frosting and Fresh Berries is fit for a right royal celebration! Get patriotic with the recipe below.
A recipe fit for a king or queen
It seems as though a summer doesn't go by without some need to bring out the bunting, host a BBQ and get waving those flags.
Whether it's a royal occasion, the Olympics or Eurovision, there are lots of reasons to celebrate and enjoy patriotic bakes.
The good thing about the Union Jack flag is that it's easy to replicate with blueberries and either strawberries or raspberries.
How to make a Union Jack Cake
Before we get down to the detail, let's see which of you knows your Union Jack really well. Can you spot the mistake? I may have accidentally left the raspberries off of the top of the cake meaning the red X that represents Ireland is missing. OOPS! It was an accident I promise.
Full instructions below will remind you to include Ireland on your cake!
You'll notice in the ingredients list that I've said to use Kerry Cook's cream cheese frosting on top of the Union Jack Red Velvet Cake. Kerry is the QUEEN of cream cheese frosting. She's come up with an amazing recipe and method for making the best cream cheese frosting and it wouldn't have been fair for me to recreate it here.Visit her blog for the recipe. I guarantee you'll love it!
The Recipe
Now you may be wondering why I've chosen to make such a Great British cake with an American cake recipe - well, I've adapted the original American red velvet cake recipe which usually uses buttermilk and is measured out in cups to have UK measurements and uses yogurt instead. Not all supermarkets sell buttermilk which can be a bit of a nuisance! Hopefully this Red Velvet Recipe is UK friendly!
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 175 g butter
- 225 g caster sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon red food gel
- 200 g self raising flour
- 50 g cocoa powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 150 g natural yogurt
- Cream cheese frosting from Kerry Cooks
- 100 g blueberries
- 4 strawberries
- 100 g raspberries
Instructions
- Begin by pre-heating your oven to 180C or gas mark 4.
- Get organised and line two 20cm cake tins with grease proof paper and place to one side.
- In a large bowl cream together the butter, sugar and seeds from the vanilla pod until light and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each egg.
- You will know it is ready when the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Add in the food colouring and stir well to make sure its evenly distributed.
- Next fold in the flour, cocoa powder and pinch of salt into the red mix.
- Finally fold in the yogurt.
- Spoon the mixture into the two cake tins and place in the centre of the oven for 20 - 25 minutes until they are bouncy to the touch.
- Leave them to cool slightly before turning out on to a wire wrack.
- Allow to cook completely before decorating.
- Once the cakes a completely cool, sandwich together with half of the cream cheese frosting.
- Top the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting before adding the fruit.
- To make the union jack, begin by taking the green tops off of the strawberries and thinly slicing. Lay these out, slightly overlapping each other to create the + in the centre of the cake.
- Next use the raspberries to create the X leaving a slight gap between the raspberries and strawberries so the cream cheese frosting shows through.
- Finally, use the blueberries to fill in the remaining space, again leaving a gap between the blueberries and other fruit so some of the cream cheese frosting shows through.
Nutrition
More Great British Inspiration
If you're thinking of hosting a Great British Garden Party why not try some of these recipes:
Here are even more suggestions from my blogging pals:
- Pimms Summer Tarts from Munchies and Munchkins
- Union Jack Pavlova from Fab Food For All
- Crown shaped shortbread from Foodie Quine
- Great British Sponge Cake from Planet Veggie
Enjoy!
Camilla says
Aww how annoying for you, shame you couldn't photoshop the raspberries on LOL! Despite that you cake looks utterly fabulous even if you have reinvented the Union Jack:-) I'l have a big slice please! Thanks for including my Pavlova:-)
Emma Walton says
Hahaha Camilla it did cross my mind lol :-p unfortunately my photoshop skills are not that good! Glad you like it 🙂
munchies&munchkins says
Oh who cares if you missed a bit - this looks awesome. I want a big old slice please and a jug of pimms on the side. xx
Emma Walton says
Thanks Rebecca 🙂 one big slice coming your way!
Sus // roughmeasures.com says
A very patriotic cake indeed! I love the contrasting colours from the fruit here, it looks gorgeous!
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
This looks gorgeous! Who wants raspberries anyway?!
We had a similar incident involving candles and a fancy paper napkin last year. I think in future I'll stick to those battery powered tea lights!
Emma Walton says
Very wise Helen! We do actually have some of then. This was a huge scented candle, multiple wicks, just asking for trouble :-p the raspberries made a nice addition on the side of the plate 😉
Stuart Vettese says
I love flag cakes, this looks lovely!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Stuart! Do you have any? Maybe I should get creative for the Euros and do lots!
Julie says
What a beautiful cake! Perfect for the Queen's Jubilee or our 4th of July!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Julie!
The Food Hunter says
What a fun and festive cake to make.
Tania says
What a fun and tasty recipe! I a m pinning it for later!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Tania. I'm glad you like it!
Trish @ Rhubarbarians says
Don't you hate it when you leave something off during the photoshoot??? GAH! Anyways... this cake still looks absolutely beautiful. I love red velvet cake!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Trish! Glad I'm not the only one who does it! It still tasted delicious that's for sure 🙂
Derek @ Dad With A Pan says
I hate when i forget a detail ater the fact! I bet you were kicking yourself when editing huh? Looks delicious nonetheless!
Emma Walton says
I so was Derek! Took me a while to work out why there were so many raspberries left but when I did I was gutted!!! Ah well. We can't be perfect all of the time can we 😉 glad you like it!
Renz says
This is so pretty. Hey it could be worse. Glad you were able to act quickly and everyone got to enjoy this cake
Emma Walton says
Thanks Renz! 🙂
Kerry at Kerry Cooks says
This is absolutely beautiful Emma! Thank you so much for recommending my cream cheese frosting!
Emma Walton says
My pleasure Kerry your cream cheese frosting is THE BEST! Won't make it any other way now 🙂
Elaine Livingstone says
funnily enough we were talking about red velvet cake at lunchtime today when we spotted some in the canteen. A friend of mine says she uses beetroot to get the red colouring
Emma Walton says
Perfect timing for you to stumble across this recipe then Elaine! Beetroot is a fantastic natural food colouring, great suggestion.
Hannah says
This looks amazing!! Even if I made this I don't think it would look half as good! x
Emma Walton says
Thanks Hannah 🙂 give it a go! I'd love to see a picture x
Lauren Bishop says
Looks yummy! I spent a summer in the UK and loved watching Eurovision. I wish I could have been there for the Queen's birthday as I love a good garden party.
Emma Walton says
Maybe next time Lauren 😉 I don't doubt she'll get to 100!!! Glad you like the recipe 🙂