Ina Garten's signature cake is the ultimate festive dessert for your summer gathering.

The Fourth of July marks the height of summer—long days, warm nights, and plenty of outdoor fun. It's the perfect occasion to get together with friends and family to enjoy food and festivities. But this isn’t your everyday meal, so make sure your dish stands out for the celebration.

Classic dishes like Grandma's apple pie, family-favorite mac and cheese, and saucy grilled ribs are essentials. With the Fourth of July just around the corner, it's time to plan a delicious feast. Thankfully, Ina Garten has shared a recipe that brings a red, white, and blue vibe to your dessert table, making it the star of the celebration.

How to Prepare Ina Garten’s Flag-Inspired Berry Cake

In a recent Instagram post, Garten shared a stunning flag cake adorned with fresh raspberries and blueberries. The Barefoot Contessa also revealed her recipe, which starts with a vanilla sour cream cake and is finished off with a luscious layer of cream cheese frosting.

A cluster of blueberries forms the upper left corner of the cake, resembling a flag. Raspberries create the first two stripes, followed by alternating piped strips of frosting as the stripes continue down to the bottom. A few small stars are piped on top of the blueberries to complete the look.

Fans have shared their glowing reviews of the cake. One commenter shared, 'My daughter started baking this cake when she was 13 and has made it nearly every year for our July 4th party. It’s always a hit and tastes incredible!' Another wrote, 'This stunning cake has become a tradition in our home—it's a heartfelt tribute to our country and a beautiful, delicious way to celebrate our loved ones!'

Pro Tips for Crafting Ina Garten’s Flag Cake

• Follow the directions closely. While the decorations make the cake look great, you don’t want them to be the only good part. Use the correct pan, measure ingredients carefully, and avoid a dry cake by paying close attention to the cake near the end of the baking time.
• Let the cake cool. You must cool the cake completely before you frost it. Otherwise, the residual heat will affect the frosting and could alter your decorations. Set it aside for 2 to 3 hours to let the cake cool, and consider making it the day before if that better fits your schedule.
• Carefully inspect produce. Berries are the star of the cake, so they must look as good as possible. Shop for deep-colored, vibrant fruit that is free from blemishes. Additionally, wash your fruit and give it ample drying time.
• Use the right tools. When decorating a flag cake, the right tools will set you up for success. A proper pastry bag, piping tips, and an offset spatula can be extremely helpful in achieving the look you want.

Keep in mind that any cake flavor works beautifully, as it’s all about the frosting—whether you opt for chocolate, lemon, or even a white cake with a surprise flag design inside. So, why not take charge of the dessert for this year’s 4th of July celebration? We’re all for it!