Red White and Blue Bundt Cake (Patriotic 4th of July Cake)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This red, white, and blue Bundt cake is the easiest showstopper you can bring to a 4th of July cookout! It’s a moist, from scratch vanilla cake with a marbled red, white, and blue interior and a rich, pound cake style crumb, and one Bundt feeds a crowd of 16. Whether you’re baking for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, or just a fun summer BBQ, this patriotic bundt cake delivers every single time.

If you’ve been looking for a fun new cake to make, look no further! This vibrant red white blue cake has a marbled interior that looks so pretty when you slice into it (it’s basically a firework on a plate). I 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 a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries.

Red, white, and blue bundt cake for the 4th of July with a white chocolate ganache glaze

The sweet flavor of this moist vanilla bundt cake is the perfect neutral base for add-ins. I added almond extract to this one and it makes the cake taste so luxurious. If you truly want to wow your guests with a colorful patriotic dessert, 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
How to make this firecracker red white and blue bundt cake
Tips for the Best Results of this Swirled Bundt Cake with Patriotic Colors
How to top your patriotic bundt cake (glaze and topping ideas)
Why do you need to make this patriotic bundt cake recipe with food coloring?
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
Red White and Blue Bundt Cake Recipe

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

Red White and Blue Bundt Cake recipe ingredients

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!

Sliced patriotic red, white, and blue marble bundt cake showing the swirled interior

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.

Finished 4th of July bundt cake drizzled with white chocolate glaze and patriotic sprinkles

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 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.

fully made red white and blue bundt cake recipe with frosting on it

How to top your patriotic bundt cake (glaze and topping ideas)

The white chocolate ganache glaze is my favorite finish, but this red, white, and blue Bundt cake takes toppings beautifully. Here are the ones I reach for most:

White chocolate ganache: thin and glossy, it drips down the ridges and sets to a soft shell. My go-to.
Powdered sugar: the no-fuss option. A heavy dusting right before serving looks elegant and takes ten seconds.
Cream cheese glaze: whisk softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and a splash of milk until pourable. It’s basically a pourable cream cheese frosting, and it’s the tangy, bakery-style finish a lot of you ask for.
Vanilla glaze: powdered sugar plus a little milk or cream, whisked smooth. Simple and sweet.
Fresh berries: pile strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in the center hole for an instant red, white, and blue moment.
Patriotic sprinkles: scatter red, white, and blue sprinkles over the wet glaze so they stick. Want a true firework effect for your July 4th party? Drizzle white glaze first, then thin lines of red and blue, and finish with sprinkles.

Slice of red, white, and blue bundt cake showing the marbled swirl

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.

Patriotic red, white, and blue bundt cake on a stand for a summer cookout

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.

Can I make this red, white, and blue Bundt cake for Memorial Day or Labor Day?

Absolutely. This patriotic bundt cake works for any red, white, and blue holiday, so it’s just as at home on a Memorial Day or Labor Day table as it is on the 4th of July. The recipe doesn’t change at all. If you want it for a different occasion entirely, just swap the food coloring to match (pastels for a baby shower, orange and black for Halloween).

How do I marble the red, white, and blue colors?

Marbling is easier than it looks. Divide your batter into three bowls, tint one red and one blue, and leave one plain. Drop spoonfuls of each color randomly into the pan, then drag a butter knife or skewer through the batter in a few loose figure eights. Don’t overdo it. Two or three passes gives you those clean red, white, and blue swirls. Too much swirling and the colors blend into a muddy purple.

Can I make this as a red, white, and blue sheet cake instead?

Yes. This batter works in a 9×13 pan if you’d rather make a sheet cake. Spoon and swirl the colors the same way, then bake at 350°F and start checking for doneness around 30 to 35 minutes, since a thinner cake bakes faster than a tall Bundt.

The Best Red, White, and Blue Bundt Cake (Easy 4th of July Cake)

Table of Contents