JULY

“Baking a Patriotic Cake”

—presented by the Benton Residence

The consumers at the Benton Residence wished to bake a patriotic cake for their holiday barbecue on Independence Day. The cake can be used for Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day. You may also wish to present this as a birthday cake for someone who is a veteran. The ingredients can be purchased at your local supermarket for less than twenty dollars. You can bake a day ahead then decorate the cake on the day you wish to serve it. Remember to read through the entire lesson plan before starting. This will enable you to have all supplies that are needed and also become familiar with the preparation.

SUPPLIES/MATERIALS:
Yellow Box Cake Mix
Container Vanilla Frosting
Eggs
Oil
Water
Measuring Cup
Large Bowl
Electric Mixer 1
3 x 9 Inch Cake Pan
1 Pint Blueberries
1 Quart Strawberries
1 Bag Flaked Coconut
1 Knife
1 Large Spoon
Aluminum Foil
1 Piece of Cardboard Slightly Larger than Pan Colander

STEPS/DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: You will have to go to the supermarket for your ingredients. Remember to look on the back of the cake mix when you are at the store. Some cakes require oil and some cake mixes require butter. This is your decision. I find the oil easier to measure for the mix. You will need to bring about twenty dollars with you. Ask a store employee for assistance if you need help picking out the blueberries or strawberries. You may also want to purchase an aluminum pan if you need to travel with your cake to a party.

Step 2: Gather all the ingredients needed to bake the cake. All cakes are different, so read the directions on the cake mix box before starting. Ask someone to join you in the kitchen while you bake, since cooking with friends or family is more enjoyable and safer. Always wash your hands well and wear food handler’s gloves if you are baking for a large group. Pre-heat the oven to the directed temperature. Put the cake mix into a large bowl then add the eggs. You may wish to break the eggs in a separate bowl before adding them to the mix, to keep broken eggshells from getting into the cake. Measure and add the correct amounts of water and oil. Use the electric mixer to blend your ingredients as directed. If you need help ask the other person to keep the time while you are using the mixer. Lightly oil the pan then pour in the cake mix and spread it evenly.

Put it in the oven and let the cake bake as directed. Remember to use potholders when removing the hot pan from the oven. Set the cake pan down either on a towel or rack to cool. When the cake has cooled it will be ready to decorate.

Step 3: You can make a display base for your cake. If you want to decorate the cake in the pan for traveling, skip this step. Cut out a rectangle of cardboard using the cake pan as a guide. Cover the cardboard with aluminum foil with the smooth side facing up. Take the cake (in the pan) and turn into over onto a large plate. Then take the plate with the cake (the cake will be upside down) and turn over onto the foil covered cardboard base.

Step 4: Open the blueberries and strawberries. Rinse the fruit under cold water in a colander. Let the berries drain while you ice the cake. Open your frosting container. Use a butter knife to evenly spread the frosting on the top and sides of the cake. You will decorate the top left of the cake with the blueberries. Place the blueberries in a square about two inches long. This will resemble the place on the flag with the stars. You need to slice the strawberries. First take off the top that has the leaf. Throw the top away. Slice the berries so that you can place them on the cake in rows. Open the flaked coconut, place in a bowl. Now it is times to make the stripes. Start with a stripe across the top with the strawberries; next make a stripe with the coconut. This will look like the red and white stripes on the flag. Continue making stripes alternating the strawberries and coconut flakes until the entire cake is covered. Your cake will look like the American flag when you finish.

Cake decorating can be fun and creative. This patriotic cake makes a great dessert for summertime barbecues and picnics.