The Fourth of July is a day when families and friends across the United States get together to celebrate their country’s independence and share in favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips and red, white and blue desserts. Figuring out what to take that everyone will enjoy but won’t break your budget is challenging.
Fortunately, we have a solution that won’t cost you much money but everyone will appreciate. As an added bonus, it costs just a few dollars to make this fun treat. Add $1.25 plus tax if you plan to grab a throw away pan at the dollar store. Although we love frugality, we hate forgetting a favorite cake pan or holder at a party. If you don’t want to spend the money for a throwaway, cut the side off a cardboard box, whittle it to the right size for your cake and cover the cardboard with aluminum foil. You can still arrive in style and not have to worry about forgetting a favorite dish.
All the Blah Blah About Red, White and Blue Dessert
Did you notice the “skip to recipe” button at the top of the page. The truth is that we have to add backstory and information to articles like these if we want them to rank well in Google search results. We don’t particularly think the story about the time cousin Steve fell into the dessert table and destroyed it is all that relevant either.
That said, to add value to the article and a nod to algorithms, here we go. Hint: You can skip through all this if you don’t care. And, trust us that we understand if you don’t as we are avid online recipe collectors, too.
Why Cake Is a Cheap Dessert
Cake is likely one of the least expensive recipes you can cook and take to a pitch in. At the same time, people love a good ooey, gooey cake with yummy icing. You can often find box mixes on sale as well as at Dollar Tree. For example, as I write this article, Kroger has Pillsbury Moist Supreme cake mix for $1.59 plus they have a $0.50 off digital coupon you can clip, making it $1.09.
A prepared jar of icing is on sale for $1.99 with that same $0.50 off coupon. You will need a few additional things, but your cake is going to be around $5 or $6 at the most. Since others will bring sides and the host will likely supply the meat, you’re going to have a delicious meal with family, contribute something worthy and still stay on budget.
What You Need to Make a Beautiful Red, White and Blue Dessert for the Fourth of July
Yes, you can make your cake from scratch, but remember that time is also money. If you have time and enjoy baking and have things like sugar, flour, baking powder and vanilla on hand, go for it. Otherwise, you’re going to pick up the following items, going for the least expensive versions. We are going to zhuzh it up by subbing out a few ingredients. You’ll need:
- One box of vanilla cake mix
- One jar of vanilla frosting
- One small jar or package of red, white and blue dessert sprinkles
- Red and blue food coloring (the super cheap liquid kind is fine)
- Milk
- Eggs
If you have produce on hand that may go bad before you can eat it, you could also just puree and mix in strawberries and blueberries, which would be healthier than food dye anyway. Then again, there is something to be said for comfort food, especially when dealing with family members who may get on your nerves–no matter how much you love them.
Use prepared cake mix to create a fun and visually appealing Fourth of July red, white and blue dessert.
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1 jar vanilla icing
- 1 cup milk
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp sprinkles
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Preheat oven to 350-degrees F
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On the boxed cake mix, replace water with milk and add an additional egg to what is required. If the recipe calls for vegetable oil, replace it with butter. This results in a much richer, moister cake that is similar to what you can get from a deli. I know because I used to make wedding cakes in my early 20s.
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Separate the mixed batter in half and then the second half in half again.
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Grease and flour your cake pan.
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Add the half portion of the cake batter to the prepared pan.
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Take one of the 1/4 portions of batter and add red food dye, mixing and adding until you get a bright red hue.
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Take the other 1/4 portion and repeat the process with blue until you have an American Flag deep blue.
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Use a scoop and alternative adding red and blue dollops on top of the plain white cake batter already in the pan. Be sure to space it out a bit so the colors don't all run together. Nothing should be touching at this point.
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Grab a toothpick and begin swirling the red and blue. Make sure you drag the toothpick along the bottom of the pan so the colors swirl all the way through. Be careful not to overmix. You don't want to wind up with a purple cake.
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Bake for the time indicated on the box.
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Allow the cake to cool for 20 to 30 minutes or until cool to the touch.
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Once the cake is completely cool, ice it with the jarred vanilla icing.
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Sprinkle on the red white and blue dessert topping.
The baking time indicated on the box isn't always accurate. You will know the cake is done when it feels springy with a light touch to the top. You can also insert a toothpick in the center of the cake and see if it comes out clean. If batter is clinging to it, your cake needs more cooking time.
Happy Fourth of July!
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones. Enjoy the holiday with your family and friends. They’ll gobble up this pretty and delicious red, white and blue dessert. You’ll be happy you didn’t have to spend $30 on a fruit salad.
