Happy 4th of July!!!

My fondest 4th of July memories include eating ice cream or a popsicle while waiting for the the annual parade on Grand Island, NY and growing up in San Francisco and shooting off fireworks at the elementary school playground down the street from my house. No matter what, fireworks of some sort are a MUST!

And if you know anything about San Francisco, you know that actually getting to see the fireworks is a feat in itself and is only allowed if the fog feels like being nice and decides to hold off for a little while.

These days, my child doesn't get that excited about fireworks and we would have to drive somewhere to see them where we live now, so we have had small 4th of July gatherings the past couple of years. The main event...sparklers and my Patriotic Red Velvet Cake!

This cake is PERFECT!!! I make it as a simple red velvet sheet cake, top it with a cream cheese frosting and decorate with strawberries and blueberries. It's super easy, super yummy and a definite crowd pleaser!

Happy 4th!!! Enjoy the day and remember to honor the reason we celebrate this day!

Patriotic Red Velvet Cake

It's that time again! Time for my decked out red velvet sheet cake! It's delicious if I do say so myself!!! I make this every year for the 4th of July. Here is this years cake, recipe below.

INGREDIENTS
Yields 12 servings

2 cups sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk, shaken
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe to follow
2 dozen Strawberries, halved
1 lb Blueberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Whisk the cocoa powder, cake flour, baking soda, and baking powder together, set bowl aside.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and mix well then add the dry mixture.
4. Mix until smooth then add the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring. Continue beating until well combined.
5. Pour batter into well greased sheet cake pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
6. Cool pan on wire rack. When completely cool, add the Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8oz package cream cheese
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 box confectioners' sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter together in a bowl. Add sugar and blend well. Spread on top of cooled cake. Add strawberries and blueberries in whatever pattern you like. Remember to thoroughly wash and dry your fruit before adding to cake.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

~ENJOY!~