How to Make a flag cake

What's a national holiday without a sheet cake featuring Old Glory? Luckily, it's simple to make….And delicious too!

You Will Need

* A 12- by 18-inch sheet cake

* 1 1/2 pt blueberries, washed

* 1 1/2 pt strawberries or raspberries, washed

* 6 c. frosting

* A serving plate

* Wax or parchment paper

* A serrated knife

* A spatula

* A toothpick

* A large pastry bag

* A star tip

Step 1: Bake a sheet cake

Bake a sheet cake using your favorite recipe or cake mix. While the cake bakes, hull and slice the strawberries, if you're using them.

Step 2: Transfer cake

When the cake is done and cooled, transfer it to your serving plate. Put wax or parchment paper under the edges of the cake to keep the plate clean of frosting.

Trim any raggedy edges with a serrated knife.

Step 3: Apply frosting

Using a spatula, frost the cake with vanilla or cream cheese frosting, real whipped cream, or whipped topping. Save enough frosting to fill a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip.

Step 4: Outline the flag

Outline the pattern of the American flag on the cake using a toothpick.

Step 5: Fill in the stars

Fill in the upper left-hand corner "star" section with a layer of blueberries.

Step 6: Start the stripes

Place a row of raspberries or sliced strawberries across the upper edge of the cake to form the first red stripe.

Step 7: Pipe stars

Pipe a row of stars below the red berries to form the first white stripe.

Step 8: Repeat

Repeat until you have seven red and six white stripes. Serve or refrigerate.

Fact: In the 1700s, July 4th was celebrated with an Independence Cake, made with wine, brandy, nutmeg, cinnamon, and raisins.