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Perfect Flag Cake Poke Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting Easy and Delicious

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A moist and flavorful poke cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting, decorated with fresh berries to create a festive flag design. Perfect for summer gatherings and patriotic celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box white cake mix (about 15.25 oz / 432 g)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk (240 ml) or almond milk for dairy-free
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (80 ml)
  • 1 (3.4 oz / 96 g) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk (480 ml)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (226 g)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480 g), sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)
  • Fresh strawberries, sliced (about 1 cup / 150 g)
  • Blueberries (about 1 cup / 150 g)
  • Whipped cream or extra frosting for white stripes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust with flour.
  2. In a large bowl, combine white cake mix, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
  3. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes until warm but not hot.
  5. Using a wooden skewer or thick toothpick, poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake surface, piercing to the bottom without breaking the cake.
  6. Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with 2 cups cold milk until thickened (about 2 minutes). Pour filling slowly over cake, letting it seep into holes. Spread excess gently with a spatula.
  7. Refrigerate cake for at least 1 hour to set pudding filling.
  8. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
  9. Remove cake from fridge and spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting over the top.
  10. Arrange sliced strawberries in three horizontal stripes for red stripes. Fill white stripes with whipped cream or extra frosting. Place blueberries in the top left corner for the blue field.
  11. Refrigerate decorated cake for another 30 minutes to firm up frosting before slicing and serving.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. Poke holes uniformly about 1 inch apart. Chill the cake after pouring pudding filling for best moistness. Whip frosting until fluffy but do not overbeat. Cake tastes better after sitting overnight. Use fresh berries that are not too wet to avoid soggy frosting. For gluten-free, use gluten-free cake mix; for dairy-free, substitute milk and cream cheese with alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: flag cake, poke cake, cream cheese frosting, patriotic dessert, Fourth of July, easy cake recipe, summer dessert

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/perfect-flag-cake-poke-cake-recipe-with-cream-cheese-frosting-easy-and-delicious/