Red White and Blue Cake (Firecracker Cake Recipe!)
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This vibrant Red White and Blue Cake will be the star of your 4th of July celebration! It’s super moist and fluffy with an explosion of sweet flavor and eye-catching colors. You only need 5 ingredients to make it… and one of those is an easy box mix. Grab some festive sprinkles and decorate to your heart’s content. Firecracker cake is perfect for Memorial Day, a Fourth of July cookout, or any patriotic holiday!!
Table of Contents
Red White and Blue Cake
All I hear in my head when I see this beauty is “You look like the 4th of July”!!! (from Legally Blonde 2).
Bold colors, big flavor, and guaranteed “oohs and aahs” when you slice it open. I’ve been making versions of this cake for summer parties for years, and it never fails to steal the show.
The secret? A splash of soda keeps the crumb light and fluffy, while that easy glaze makes it look like you went all out (even though it took minutes).
Trust me, no one’s thinking about fireworks once this hits the dessert table.
Want to create a stunning display of desserts? Place this red white and blue bundt cake in the center of your table, along with a big bowl of cheesecake fruit salad and these gorgeous red white and blue popsicles.
Triple Berry Parfaits are a great option for guests who want something healthier, and you could even add a tray of Stars and Stripes layered shots for the adults to indulge in!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Cake Mix: White cake mix is a must for this dessert to turn out right. Any other flavor will affect the colors of the batter.
- Pudding: Adds moisture and richness, so don’t skip it! Any brand of instant pudding will work for red white and blue bundt cake, but it needs to be vanilla, white chocolate, or cheesecake flavor.
- Vegetable Oil: This has a neutral flavor, so it won’t come through in the cake. Canola oil is the best substitute.
- Egg Whites: Again, anything that isn’t clear or white will affect the color of the batter, making it impossible to get a true red white blue cake. Save those yolks for something else!
- Sprite: Any clear lemon-lime soda works, including Sprite, 7-Up, or Sierra Mist… even the sugar-free varieties. If you only have mini cans (7.5oz), just make up the difference with water.
- Gel Food Coloring: Vibrant color with just a few drops, and it won’t make the batter too loose. Liquid food coloring is fine if that’s all you have.
- Powdered Sugar: Mix with extra Sprite to make the frosting!
- Sprinkles: Anything in red, white, and blue will work. I like to find the bottles with tiny stars or a variety of shapes to make it a little extra special.
VARIATIONS
- Lemon Zest Twist: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter and replace the Sprite with lemon-lime seltzer.
- Firecracker Mini Cakes: Divide the batter into mini bundt pans for individual treats. Reduce baking time to 20-25 minutes.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Replace the powdered sugar glaze with melted white or milk chocolate.
- Rainbow Bundt: Divide the batter between six bowls and use a whole rainbow of colors for an extra colorful dessert.
- Christmas Version: Swap the blue for green food coloring and top with festive Christmas sprinkles.
- Easter Pastels: Use less gel coloring (or special pastel colors) and sweet little bunny or spring-themed sprinkles.
Red White Blue Cake FAQ
You sure can! What’s great about this recipe is that it can be adapted for any holiday celebration. I’ve even changed up the colors to match a birthday theme or graduation party!
Having one bowl of batter remain white adds a nice contrast, but feel free to color all three bowls with whichever combination matches your theme.
Make sure you’re using enough food coloring! Mix in a small amount and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before deciding if you need to add more.
Gels will deepen over time (as the batter sits and also after it bakes), so aim for a shade or two lighter than you want the finished cake to be.
While I haven’t tried it myself, I don’t see why not!
Because the base of the pan is wider than the top, you may want to use a little less batter for whichever color you’ll be pouring in first. Otherwise, the layers may be different heights once baked.
This blue red and white cake is one of my go-to “wow” recipes because it’s high-impact, low effort.
Using boxed cake mix with a few smart additions (like pudding mix and soda) gives you an incredibly soft, tender crumb without any fuss.
Coloring the batter in separate bowls keeps the layers distinct, and spooning it in patchwork-style creates those bold firecracker stripes.
I’ve made this cake dozens of times for barbecues, potlucks, and parties. And it always disappears faster than the fireworks finale.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Grease the Bundt pan well with baking spray or butter and flour. Don’t skip this step!
- Use cookie scoops or measuring cups to evenly portion the colors into the pan.
- Tap the pan lightly on the counter after filling to settle the batter and eliminate air bubbles.
- Wait until the cake is fully cooled before glazing to prevent the icing from melting right off.
- Store glazed cake loosely covered to keep the top from becoming too soft. Keep at room temperature so it doesn’t dry out.
TOOLS NEEDED
- 10-cup Bundt pan
- Stand mixer or hand mixer – You’ll need the whisk attachment for this recipe.
- Three mixing bowls
- Silicone spatula
- Whisk – For mixing color into the batter. Don’t overdo it, or the cake will be too dense!
- Cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie scoops – Optional, but these make it easier to alternate the different colors and cause fewer drips than using a spoon.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Red White and Blue Cake (Firecracker Cake Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 15 ounce box white cake mix
- 3.4 ounce box instant pudding mix, can use vanilla, white chocolate, or cheesecake flavor
- 4 large egg whites
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 8 ounces Sprite, (or other lemon-lime soda)
- Red food coloring
- Blue food coloring
Icing
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons Sprite, (or more as needed)
- Red white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 10-cup Bundt pan generously with baking spray or butter and flour. Set aside.
- Mix the Batter: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, and egg whites. Beat in the oil until well combined.
- Add the Soda: With the mixer on low speed, slowly mix in the Sprite until the batter is smooth and slightly bubbly.
- Divide and Color: Evenly divide the batter between three bowls. Tint one bowl with red food coloring, one with blue, and leave the third plain.
- Layer the Batter: Use small cookie scoops or spoons to alternate scoops of red, white, and blue batter into the prepared Bundt pan, placing the colors next to one another as you go for a firecracker-style burst.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Carefully invert onto a wire rack or serving plate and cool completely, about 40 more minutes.
- Make the Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and Sprite until smooth and pourable. Adjust with extra Sprite if needed.
- Decorate: Drizzle the icing over the cooled cake and immediately top with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
Donna’s Notes
Freezing: Freeze the cooled, undecorated cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before icing. Customization Ideas: Use different food coloring combinations for other holidays. Red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or school colors for a graduation party!
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2021. Updated and republished August 2025
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Love this cake recipe! Cannot wait to try it for July 4th this year! Thank you Slow Roasted Italian for offering such terrific recipes and your expert advice on making them. I truly love your newsletters and Social Media posts!!
Oh, MERCY! This cake looks delicious & an eye catcher as well! Thank you soooo much! God bless! ๐
It looks so colorful and festive.
This cake impressed my family when I brought it over for a 4th of july bbq! Everyone was excited about it and it was gone so fast. It tasted just as good as it looked!
Oh wow, this firecracker cake is a showstopper! Easy to make and absolutely delicious. Donna and Chad never disappoint with their recipes.