Impress your family and friends with a scrumptious Red Velvet 4th of July Cake made with a cake mix, homemade cream cheese frosting, blueberries and strawberries.
With its bright red color and creamy white frosting, this patriotic cake is the perfect centerpiece for any Independence Day party.
Check out all the 4th of July Foods that you can add to your party celebration!
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This Red Velvet 4th of July Cake is the perfect red, white and blue patriotic dessert for any gathering this summer.
As a matter of fact, if you leave the red and blue sprinkles off the cake, you can bake this for any get-together all year long.
Not only is it incredibly delicious, it's beautiful! This cake starts out with a cake mix, however, I added a box of pudding mix and sour cream to add to the flavor and moistness.
Looking for more easy desserts to make for summer? Try my American Flag Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza, or this fun recipe for Firecracker Bundt Cake.
Table of Contents
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Hacks
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Baking Instructions
- Quick Tip
- Cooling Tips
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
- How to Decorate a Red Velvet Cake
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Tips for Baking a Bundt Cake
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage, Freezing and Thawing Tips
- More Recipes to Love
- Celebrate Summer with the Red, White & Delicious Recipes eBook!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Red Velvet Cake Mix Hacks
This Red Velvet 4th of July Cake is another one of my cake mix hacks. Here are a few more "hacks" to use with a boxof red velvet cake mix:
- Add instant pudding mix, this recipe uses vanilla instant pudding mix, to the cake mix to make the cake softer, denser, and more flavorful.
- Mix in sour cream to the batter to make the cake richer and creamier.
- Try adding a small amount of espresso powder (about 1-2 teaspoons) to further enhance the chocolate flavor in the cake and give it a subtle coffee taste.
Check out my 5 Cake Mix Baking Secrets and get the free printable to help you create easy desserts using a box of cake mix!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Bundt Pan, 12 Cup CapacityMore InformationDigital Meat ThermometerMore InformationRed SprinklesMore InformationBlue SprinklesMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- You can swap out the sour cream with Greek yogurt...plain, not flavorted!
- If you don't have vanilla pudding mix on hand, try chocolate!
- If you don't want to use homemade cream cheese frosting, try a canned frosting. Or use homemade whipped cream or even Cool Whip Whipped Topping!
Step-by-Step Directions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, and water to the bowl of a KitchenAid mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. If you don't have a KitchenAid, you can use a hand mixer instead.Combine until well blended.
Baking Instructions
Step 2: Prepare a bundt cake pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. Carefully pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the cake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Quick Tip
Did you know that you can check the internal temperature of a cake to see if it's thoroughly baked? The cake is done when the temperature in the middle is anywhere from 205°F to 210°F.
Cooling Tips
Step 4: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a baking rack or plate.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 5: To help this cake not taste like a traditional cake mix recipe, I chose to use a homemade cream cheese frosting. Only I wanted to be able to pour the frosting on top of the bundt cake.
Once the frosting is made, I heated it up in 5 seconds increments in the microwave until it was slightly pourable. Be careful not to overdo it!
You can easily change the consistency of the frosting if you heat it up too much. You want to be able to pour the frosting over the baked bundt cake so it runs down the sides.
How to Decorate a Red Velvet Cake
Step 6: Since this Red Velvet 4th of July Cake is a patriotic cake, I added red and blue sprinkles as well as the fruit. If you were serving this at another time during the year, you could use a different color of sprinkles or leave the sprinkles off completely.
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Tips for Baking a Bundt Cake
Non-Stick Cake Pan: Try to use a non-stick cake pan, however, you should still spray it very sell with non-stick baking spray. The last thing you want is for the cake to stick and only part of it come out.
Let the Cake Cool Completely: Make sure the bundt cake is fully cooled before adding the frosting. If it’s still warm, the frosting may melt too quickly and not coat the cake evenly.
Warm the Frosting Gently: Once the frosting is made, microwave it in 5-second increments until it’s just slightly pourable. Be careful not to overheat it!
Adjust the Consistency if Needed: If the frosting becomes too thin, let it sit for a few minutes to thicken before pouring. You want it to glide down the sides of the cake—not pool at the bottom.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Yes, wait at least 30 minutes before flipping the cake out. I like to run a knife around the edges of the pan and cake to help release it as well.
Use non-stick vegetable oil cooking spray. Do not coat the pan with butter. The butter will encourage the cake to stick to the sides of the pan while it's baking.
Cocoa powder and red food coloring are usually added to a traditional yellow cake batter to get the beautiful red color for a red velvet cake.
Storage, Freezing and Thawing Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake (without fruit) tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Let the cake thaw in the refrigerator overnight. If unfrosted, you can add fresh frosting once the cake has fully thawed. Serve at room temperature for best flavor.
More Recipes to Love
- I love these Berry Cheesecakes and using raspberries and blueberries really do make them perfect for summer!
- You can't really go wrong with preparing a Flag Fruit Pizza to celebrated the Fourth of July.
- Try this Mixed Berry Slap Pie for a fun twist!
- Who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies? How about a giant chocolate chip cookie made into a 4th of July Cookie Cake?
- Check out even more Desserts made with Red Velvet Cake Mix.
Celebrate Summer with the Red, White & Delicious Recipes eBook!
This beautifully designed digital cookbook features 10 fun and festive dessert recipes perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any red, white, and blue celebration.
📖 Recipe Card
Red Velvet 4th of July Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 ounce box Red Velvet Cake Mix
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 3.9 ounce package Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
- ½ cup water
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cups strawberries
- ½ cup blueberries
Equipment
Method
- In the bowl of a KitchenAid Mixer with the paddle attachment, add the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream and water. Combine until well blended.
- Pour the batter into a bundt cake pan that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes before inverting on to a baking rack or plate.
- In a large mixing bowl add cream cheese, and beat until smooth.
- Add in butter, an beat butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing in between each addition.
- Beat until smooth.
- Then add the vanilla and continue to beat until smooth.
- Place the cream cheese frosting in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup.
- Heat up in 5 second increments until it is slightly pourable. Be careful not to overdo it!
- Pour over the completely cooled cake so it drips down the sides.
- Add fresh strawberries, blueberries, red and blue sprinkles.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2021 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Terri says
My pudding mix reads cook and serve will this work? No instant on package??
Lois says
I think it should be okay! Both puddings will add flavor. I've never tried cook and serve pudding for this recipe, so please let me know how it turns out. Thank you for visiting.
Debbie says
Is it required to to use a kitchen aid mixer? I don't have one.
Lois says
Noooo...you can use any mixer or a hand mixer or blend the ingredients by hand using a wooden spoon! Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Debbie says
Thank you. Beginning to make it now for our 4th celebration!
Amber says
I don't have a microwave, what do you suggest? Stovetop, for how long?
Lois says
I would use a double boiler method for warming the frosting so you can pour it over the sides. Watch it closely. Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Beverly says
Wow, this cake looks so perfect for the 4th or anytime. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by.
Hugs,
Bev
Cindy@CountyRoad407 says
This looks so festive and delicious! I love a good cake! Pinning and featuring it this week on Farmhouse Friday. Thank you for linking up. Hope you link up again soon.
Lois says
Thank you!
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
I just love how colorful and patriotic this cake is! I already know it will be delicious coming from your kitchen! #HomeMattersParty
Linda Primmer says
Lois, your red velvet cake looks wonderful. Perfect for the upcoming 4th of July. I am happy to feature your patriotic cake at Love Your Creativity.
Alexandra says
This cake looks so delicious! It's decorated so nicely, but covering that delicious red velvet flavor. I picked this as one of my features at this weekend's Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party. Sadly, it's the very last one, but thank you so much for linking up with us! I always enjoy seeing what you're up to!
Lois says
Thank you so much!!!