Description
Firecracker Cake is the ultimate show-stopping dessert for patriotic holidays and summer parties. Made with swirls of red, white, and blue cake batter and topped with a striking colorful glaze, it’s fun, vibrant, and guaranteed to wow the crowd. Using a simple cake mix base, it’s also incredibly easy to make, no baking experience needed.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cake:
- 1 box white cake mix
- Ingredients as called for on the box (typically eggs, oil, water)
- Red and blue gel food coloring
- Nonstick spray or butter for greasing pan
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- Red and blue food coloring
- Optional: patriotic sprinkles or pop rocks for a crackle effect
Instructions
- Prep the batter:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt cake pan generously.
- Prepare cake mix according to box instructions.
- Color and layer:
- Divide the batter evenly into 3 bowls.
- Leave one plain (white), and color the others red and blue using gel coloring.
- Pour the red batter into the bundt pan first, then the white, then the blue. Don’t swirl—let them layer naturally.
- Bake:
- Bake according to the box’s bundt cake instructions (usually ~40 minutes).
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely.
- Make the glaze:
- Mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Divide glaze into three small bowls. Leave one white, and color the other two red and blue.
- Drizzle each color over the cooled cake in random stripes for the “firecracker” effect.
- Add sprinkles or pop rocks while the glaze is still wet.
Notes
- Use gel coloring for vibrant swirls without thinning the batter
- Add flavor: Mix in a bit of lemon, almond, or vanilla extract for a custom twist
- Make it extra fun: Use pop rocks or edible glitter for the topping
- Cupcake version: Divide batter into muffin tins for mini firecracker cupcakes
- Different holidays: Swap colors to match any theme—green and red for Christmas, pink and purple for birthdays
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260 Kcal
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg