Patriotic Star Cakes

Labor Day is next week – oh where has the summer gone?  I think the rain washed ours away.  We have had the rainiest summer that I can remember here in North Carolina.  For a while, I thought my house may float away.

Even though it doesn’t feel like it, Labor Day is next week.  I made these Patriotic Star Cakes for our 4th of July celebration, and with another patriotic holiday on the horizon – I wanted to share it with y’all.

Here’s what you need.  Now, to make the ‘white’ part more white – obviously you would use a white cake mix.  But I love the flavor of yellow cake mix a little bit better – so I said what the heck.  I’m using it this time 🙂

Mix the cake mix as directed on the back of the box.  Once you’ve got it all mixed up, divide the batter into 3 bowls.  Leave one plain & then tint the other 2 with blue & red food coloring.  Squirt enough in each one to give it the bright color you desire.

Pour each of the batters into separate small cake pans, & bake according to package directions.

Once they’re done, cool on wire racks until completely cooled.

I like to go an added step with some fresh strawberries, so if you’d like to go that route too (I recommend it!) – sprinkle a little bit of sugar on top of sliced strawberries & let it sit at room temperature until the cake has cooled.  This will draw out the juices & emphasize the sweetness of the strawberries even more.

Using a star cookie cutter, cut out as many star shapes from the 3 cakes as you can.  I can usually get 5-6 stars.

Don’t throw away the cake scraps, use them to make a miniature Patriotic Trifle!

Now, stack up the cake stars.  Start with the red, & spread a thin layer of white frosting on top.

Top with the the remaining stars, using the icing between each layer – creating your red, white, & blue.  Top with the strawberries (if using).  I also topped mine with a single blueberry just for a little more red & blue 🙂