The Best Red White and Blue Bundt Cake Recipe

If you’ve been looking for a fun and new cake to make, then look no further! This vibrant red white blue cake has a marbled interior that looks so pretty when you slice into it. I personally topped mine with a thin white chocolate ganache glaze, but you can use any topping you want. I love serving it with a dusting of powdered sugar or even a dollop of whipped cream and berries.

The sweet flavor of this moist vanilla bundt cake is the perfect neutral base for additional flavors. I have added almond flavoring to this specific recipe and it makes the cake taste so luxurious. If you truly want to wow your guests with a colorful patriotic cake, trust me when I say: This is what you need!

Since you are here and love easy desserts, check out these Crumbl Blue Monster Cookies, this Moist Vanilla Bundt Cake, this Moist Red Velvet Bundt Cake, this Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake, or this Crack Cake Bundt Cake.

Ingredients for this easy red white and blue marbled bundt cake for 4th of July

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this red, white, and blue cake recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

• All-Purpose Flour: provides the structure and base for the cake. If you want to go above and beyond, you can use cake flour instead.
• Baking soda and Baking Powder: work with the buttermilk to help the cake rise and develop a tender crumb.
• Salt: balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Butter: adds rich flavor and moist texture.
• Granulated Sugar: sweetens the cake.
• Large Eggs: help to bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: enhances the cake’s flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
• Buttermilk: adds moisture and acidity to react with the baking soda.
• Sour Cream: contributes richness and moisture.
• Vegetable Oil: adds moisture and ensures the cake stays soft and tender for days.
• Red and Blue Gel Food Coloring: creates the festive swirls of patriotic colors.
• Red, White, and Blue Sprinkles: for decorating.

The white chocolate ganache is optional but it makes for a fun glaze for the sprinkles to stick to. If you want to keep it simple, just add a dusting of powdered sugar on there or drizzle red white and blue melted candy melts and call it a day!

How to make this firecracker red white and blue bundt cake

This is how you can make this firecracker cake for patriotic holidays. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the oven temp, prep time, cooking time, and complete step-by-step instructions!

Prepare the Batter

• Preheat your oven and lightly grease with cooking spray and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan, making sure to shake out any extra flour. Set it aside for later. You could also use this Cake Release Recipe which is what I used to make sure my cake didn’t stick.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
• In a second bowl, stir together the buttermilk, sour cream, and vegetable oil. Set that aside as well.
• In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and mix until combined.

• Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk mixture. Start and finish with the dry ingredients, and mix just until everything is combined without overmixing the batter.

Add the Colors

• Evenly divide the batter into three bowls: Leave one bowl as-is (for the white portion), color one with red gel food coloring, and tint the last one blue.

• Spoon dollops of each colored batter randomly into the prepared cake pan. Start with the white, then follow with the red cake batter, and then the blue cake batter. Once all the batter is in, use a skewer or butterknife to gently swirl the colors together in figure-8 motions to gently create a marbled effect. Be careful not to overdo it.

• Bake until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the thickest part of the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate ganache over the entire cake and top with festive patriotic sprinkles for a celebratory touch.

Recipe Note: When the cake comes out of the oven, the colors will look darker and strange (my husband even went on to call this a halloween cake). The blue will look green and the red will look maroon on the top crust because of the browning effect while baking. But don’t worry. You can cover the top of the cake with frosting, and once you cut into it, you’ll see the bright, vibrant colors. Cut the slices thin with a sharp knife so they lie flat on their side on the serving plate for the best visual appearance.

Tips and Tricks for the best results of this Swirled Bundt cake with patriotic colors

• Pull your cold ingredients out of the fridge about 30 minutes to an hour before making the recipe so they can warm up to room temperature. This will help them mix more smoothly.
• Use a kitchen scale instead of measuring cups to weigh your ingredients for better accuracy.
• Pass your dry ingredients through a fine-mesh sieve first before adding them to the wet ingredients to avoid clumps.
• Be aware as you mix the batter and avoid over-mixing so the cake isn’t too chewy. Stop mixing as soon as you see the flour mixture disappear.

Why do you need to make this patriotic bundt cake recipe with food coloring?

• This easy cake recipe is perfect for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, or any other summer get-togethers with the family.
• It’s better than any box cake mix you can find.
• It has a perfectly balanced and sweet neutral flavor that allows for an abundance of flavor variations.
• The red, white, and blue colors will get everyone in the spirit of the American holiday celebration.
• The only thing that’s hard about this cake is trying to delegate who gets to take the home leftovers.

Frequently asked questions – FAQ

Can I use liquid food colorings instead of gel?

I wouldn’t recommend it. Liquid red food coloring and blue food coloring just don’t give as bright of a color pop as gel does after baking.

Can I make this red white and blue swirl bundt cake recipe with a boxed cake mix?

Sure, the flavor won’t be as good, but if you’re short on time or just want to save the effort, then I don’t see why not. This is how you can make a patriotic bundt cake with box mix. You should start with a white cake mix like the one from Betty Crocker and prepare the batter according to the instructions. Then follow the same steps as above for separating the batter, creating the different colors, and combining them back into the prepared bundt pan. Bake according to the instructions on the box!

What kind of toppings can I use?

I personally did a white chocolate ganache on top, but you could also do a simple powdered sugar icing, a flavored buttercream frosting, or cream cheese glaze. You can make it white or add colors to make it a red or blue frosting if you want more of a pop. If you do go with a white frosting but want more color, add a garnish of fruit such as fresh blueberries or fresh strawberries to keep the color scheme going.

How do I store my leftover cake?

Place your leftovers in an airtight container and store them preferably in the fridge. They should be able to last for at least 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them by wrapping each slice in plastic wrap to ensure the air stays out and you prevent freezer burn.

Can I make a gluten-free red white and blue bundt cake?

I haven’t tried it but I don’t see why not as long as you substitute the flour a gluten-free flour baking blend like the one from King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill.

Can I make this perfect cake ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the batter and store it in the fridge for a day or two if you want the cake to be fresh on the day you need it.

The Best Red White and Blue Bundt Cake Recipe