Patriot Day Cake

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons natural red food coloring or beet powder (Beet powder gives a muted, natural red; synthetic coloring gives a vivid result)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large egg whites (Egg whites only, to preserve the white color of the layer)
• 0.5 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, pureed and strained (Provides natural blue-purple color and flavor; natural blue is difficult to achieve without some color support)
• 0.25 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon fine salt
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 -6 tablespoons heavy cream (Add gradually to achieve spreadable consistency)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 cup fresh blueberries (For garnish)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved (For garnish)

Instructions

1. 1{'dependencies': {'description': 'Initial step', 'depends_on_ids': []}, 'description': 'Prepare Your Equipment. Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper. Because you are making three separate sponge batters, it is most practical to bake them sequentially unless you have three identical pans available.', 'performTime': None}
2. 2{'dependencies': {'description': 'Previous step', 'depends_on_ids': []}, 'description': 'Make Each Layer Batter Separately. For each of the three layers - red, white, and blue - cream the butter and sugar together until light and pale, approximately 4 minutes. Add eggs (or egg whites for the white layer) one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the liquid (buttermilk, milk, or blueberry puree as specified for each layer). Mix until just combined after each addition - do not overwork the batter. For the red layer, fold in red food coloring or beet powder last. Pour each batter into its prepared pan.', 'performTime': None}
3. 3{'dependencies': {'description': 'Previous step', 'depends_on_ids': []}, 'description': 'Bake and Cool. Bake each layer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 22-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges begin to pull away from the pan. Allow each layer to cool in its pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Layers must be completely cool before frosting - approximately 1 hour at room temperature. Do not rush this step; warm layers will melt the frosting and cause the cake to slide.', 'performTime': None}
4. 4{'dependencies': {'description': 'Previous step', 'depends_on_ids': []}, 'description': 'Make the Vanilla Buttercream. Beat softened butter on medium speed until smooth and slightly pale, approximately 3 minutes. Add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on low after each addition to prevent a cloud of sugar. Add vanilla and salt. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time, beating on medium-high between additions, until the frosting is smooth and spreadable but holds its shape. If it becomes too thin, add a small amount of additional powdered sugar.', 'performTime': None}
5. 5{'dependencies': {'description': 'Previous step', 'depends_on_ids': []}, 'description': 'Assemble the Cake. Place the blue layer on your serving plate or cake board. Spread a generous, even layer of buttercream over the top surface. Place the white layer directly on top and repeat with the frosting. Place the red layer on top. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the entire outside of the assembled cake - this seals in loose crumbs - and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Apply a final, smooth layer of frosting to the top and sides. Decorate the top with fresh strawberries and blueberries. The layering order - blue at base, white in center, red on top - is a common arrangement, though it is not prescribed by any authoritative source and bakers should arrange as they see fit.', 'performTime': None}