Memorial Day Themed Tiered Cake

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USA Memorial Day Themed Tiered vanilla Cake with berry compote and patriotic buttercream.

Celebrate summer in sweet, patriotic style with this stunning Memorial Day Themed Tiered Cake Recipe! Featuring layers of moist vanilla cake, vibrant red and blue buttercream, and a homemade berry compote, this show-stopping dessert is perfect for honoring the holiday with friends and family. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, potluck, or picnic, this red, white, and blue cake is the ultimate centerpiece for your Memorial Day dessert table. It’s festive, flavorful, and designed to impress — making it one of the best 4th of July and Memorial Day cake ideas you'll want to bake year after year.

🍰 Ingredients

Yields: 3 tiers (10", 8", and 6") | Skill Level: Intermediate | Time: 4–5 hours (including cooling and decorating)

🧁 For the Vanilla Cake Layers (x3 batches for 3 tiers):

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp (or dairy-free butter)

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup whole milk (or almond milk with 1 tsp vinegar)

🍓 For the Berry Compote Filling:

• 1½ cups strawberries, hulled and chopped

• 1 cup blueberries

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• ¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)

• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional for thickening)

🧈 For the Patriotic Buttercream:

• 2 cups unsalted butter, room temp

• 6 cups powdered sugar

• ¼ cup heavy cream or plant milk

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• Red and blue gel food coloring

• Optional: edible silver stars, sprinkles, fondant flag toppers

✅ Ingredient Alternatives

• Vegan: Use egg replacer, vegan butter, and dairy-free milk

• Gluten-Free: Replace flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend

• Fruit Filling: Use cherry, raspberry, or even lemon curd for variation

• Frosting Flavor: Add strawberry or lemon extract for a fruity twist

Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line cake pans.

In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

Alternate adding flour mix and milk until batter is smooth.

Divide into pans and bake 25–35 minutes. Cool completely.

Tip Alert: Freeze cake layers before assembling for easier stacking

Step 2: Make the Berry Compote

In a saucepan, combine berries, lemon juice, and sugar.

Cook over medium heat until soft and syrupy (8–10 minutes).

Stir in cornstarch slurry if you want a thicker filling. Cool fully.

Tip Alert: Decorate with mini American flags, fresh berries, or sparkler toppers for drama.

Step 3: Prepare the Buttercream

Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar.

Mix in cream and vanilla until smooth.

Divide into three: leave one white, tint one red, and one blue.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

Level layers and stack each with berry compote and a thin layer of buttercream.

Crumb coat all tiers and chill for 30 minutes.

Frost the tiers with red, white, and blue buttercream — ombré or layered stripes work great.

Decorate with fondant stars, flag toppers, and patriotic sprinkles.

Tip Alert: Use gel food coloring for vibrant red and blue without watering down the frosting.

🥤 Fun Beverage Pairings

• Sparkling Berry Lemonade – Lemonade with muddled berries and seltzer

• Red, White & Blue Punch – Cranberry juice, coconut water, and blue sports drink layered with ice

• Patriotic Milkshakes – Vanilla milkshakes with swirls of red and blue syrups

• Berry Iced Tea – Brewed tea chilled with fresh mint, lemon slices, and strawberries

This patriotic Memorial Day cake brings together classic flavors and bold visuals for a dessert that’s both meaningful and mouthwatering. With easy customization options, fresh ingredients, and festive flair, it’s ideal for anyone searching for creative holiday baking ideas, layer cake recipes for summer, or fun red, white, and blue desserts. Be sure to pin this cake for later, share it with your fellow bakers, and explore more of our Memorial Day recipes, tiered cake tutorials, and patriotic party food ideas right here on the blog!