American Flag Cookie Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Introduction to American Flag Cookie Cake

The American Flag Cookie Cake is the ultimate treat for celebrating national holidays like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or any patriotic event. This dessert merges the delicious simplicity of a sugar cookie with the rich, creamy texture of cream cheese frosting, all topped with decorative elements to mimic the iconic American flag. Here’s how you can craft this visually appealing and tasty treat at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups red and blue food coloring
• 1 cup powdered sugar for frosting
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Steps for Making the Cookie Cake

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-inch round pizza pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder into a bowl. This ensures your cookie cake will have an even texture.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This can take a few minutes; the color should change to a pale yellow.
4. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Make sure the egg is fully incorporated into the mixture.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookie dough from becoming tough.
6. Divide Dough: Split the dough into three parts. Leave one part plain, color one part red, and one part blue with food coloring.
7. Shape the Dough: On the prepared pan, shape the dough to resemble the American flag. Here’s how:
   • Press the plain dough into a rectangle shape.
   • Use the red dough to form stripes.
   • Shape the blue dough into a square in the top left corner for the stars’ section.
8. Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.

✨ Note: If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to make handling easier.

Making the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat Ingredients: In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
2. Frost the Cake: Once the cookie cake is cool, spread the frosting evenly over the entire surface. Smooth out the top, but be careful not to press too hard or you’ll flatten the cookie.
3. Decorate: To create the flag design:
   • For the stripes, use a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off to pipe white lines over the red dough, leaving space for the stripes to show through.
   • In the blue section, pipe small dots or use star-shaped sprinkles to represent the stars.

Key Takeaways

Creating an American Flag Cookie Cake is a delightful way to show your patriotism or simply enjoy a festive treat. Here are the key points to remember:

• The preparation is straightforward but requires attention to detail for the flag design.
• Quality ingredients will yield the best taste and texture.
• Ensure the cookie base cools completely before adding the frosting to prevent melting.
• Use piping techniques to achieve neat, professional-looking stripes and stars.

Can I make this cookie cake ahead of time?

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Yes, you can make the cookie cake base up to 2 days in advance. Keep it wrapped at room temperature or in the fridge. Add the frosting and decorations the day you plan to serve it for the best texture.

What if my dough is too crumbly?

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If your dough is crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk or water at a time, mixing until it comes together. Ensure not to overwork the dough.

Can I use a different frosting?

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Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting complements the flavor of the cookie base well, you can use buttercream or even whipped cream for a lighter touch. Just adjust the amount based on desired taste and decoration.

How do I store leftovers?

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Store the cookie cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be good for up to 5 days. For best taste, let it come to room temperature before serving again.