This Fourth of July cheesecake cake is a festive summer dessert, and is easier to make than you’d think!
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Every year when football season rolls around I think of getting a green O (temporarily) painted on Cookie’s back. I always resist because A) I don’t want to be that girl, and B) pink is her power color so I worry that she won’t care for the green.
But after this cake she’s experienced in the pink fur department so we might just go for that O in September.
Let’s talk for a sec about kitchen mishaps OK?
As you can probably tell from the pictures, this cheesecake cake required quite a bit of food coloring.
Poor planner that I am, I didn’t have any rubber gloves on hand when I set out to dye my cake batter. And some gloves would have been quite helpful. . .As I was stirring the food coloring into my red cake layer (after I already had left bunches of red fingerprints all over the counter) the doorbell rang. And Cookie lost it. And I didn’t know who was out there so I had to answer—and I had to pick Cookie up so she wouldn’t dart outside, as she’s inclined to do.
Dog parents, I know you feel my pain.
I grabbed Cookie without thinking and opened the door; it was UPS, BTW, so this whole thing could have been avoided if I’d thought to peek outside before picking up the dog and touching the doorknob. (See? Not a planner.) By the time I’d retrieved my package, door, doorknob, and dog were all covered in red food coloring. My entryway looked like it had witnessed some kind of slaughter.
After a dog bath and quite a bit of door scrubbing, I refined my technique and made it through the blue layer without further incident.
(Cookie is dye free at the moment and losing her ever-loving mind chasing a fly around the living room. I think it’s teasing her but she’s caught them before so she’ll have the last laugh, I’m sure.)
The food coloring headache was definitely worth it though. Because just look at those colors! The Fourth of July is my very favorite holiday—America, BBQs, fireworks, what’s not to love?
So I knew a Fourth of July was in order. And since I had so much fun making (and eating) my carrot cake cheesecake cake I wanted to make another version.
However! It wasn’t easy for me to make the decision to use food coloring inside the cake. I love a little food coloring in frosting but to make vivid red and blue cake layers you have to use quite a bit of food coloring, and I don’t love the idea of eating that much dye.
But I made an exception for such a special occasion. I also used a white box cake mix to ease the workload so you can spend more time having fun with your family than mixing up cake. If you’re cake mix-averse you can use your favorite from-scratch recipe, as long as it makes enough for two cake layers.
You can also use your favorite doctored white cake mix–I find that sometimes white cake mixes can be dry without the addition of some extra fat, so do whatever you please.
A cheesecake cake is no more difficult to make than a regular layer cake. The only difficulty is getting the cheesecake layer out of the pan. Be sure you spray your pan with plenty of cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment. Since the cheesecake layer has to refrigerate overnight, be sure to plan accordingly.
Make this cheesecake-ified Fourth of July cake and impress your friends and family! (Just don’t answer the doorbell while you’re mixing your cake batter.)
Notes on decorating and dyeing your cake
I STRONGLY urge you to use gel food coloring for this Fourth of July cheesecake cake because you have to use a lot of the liquid stuff to get true a true color and that will affect how your cake turns out. I used this red food coloring and this blue food coloring.
I also recommend using rubber gloves when you’re mixing the batter.
Adding a little bit of cocoa powder to your red layer, as instructed in the recipe, ensures you get a true red rather than pink.
I used this open star piping tip and these sprinkles to decorate the top of my cake.
For my tips on frosting a cake without doing a crumb coat first, see this death by chocolate cake.
Looking for more Fourth of July desserts?
Fourth of July Cake
Strawberry Shortcake Cake
Cinnamon Apple Pie
If you make this Fourth of July cheesecake cake, be sure to leave me a comment and a rating below–let me know what you think! Post a pic over on Instagram too. Tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see!
This Fourth of July cheesecake cake is fun and makes the perfect end to your summer BBQs!
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 15.25 ounce white cake mix or use your favorite white cake recipe
- water oil, and eggs according to directions on the box
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder* (optional)
- red gel food coloring
- blue gel food coloring
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 5 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla use clear vanilla if you want your frosting really white
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, then generously spray the pan with cooking spray again. Set pan aside.
- Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour together with an electric mixer set to medium speed. Beat in eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing until eggs are just incorporated. Turn mixer to low and beat in the sour cream, heavy cream, and vanilla.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Set pan in a roasting pan (or any large baking pan) and carry over to the oven. Pour a couple inches of water into the pan, then carefully transfer to the oven. Bake 27 to 32 minutes, until the center of the cheesecake barely wobbles. Remove from the oven and immediately run a knife between the cake and the edge of the pan. Cool cheesecake to room temperature. Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- After the cheesecake has refrigerated, dip the pan in a bowl of hot water for about 15 seconds. Run a knife around the edge of the cake again, then set a large plate or a cake circle on top of the pan. Invert the cake onto the plate. Keep refrigerated until you assemble the cake.
- Preheat the oven to 350 (or whatever temperature stated on the box of your cake mix). Spray 2 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, line the bottoms of the pans with parchment, then spray the pans with additional cooking spray. Set pans aside.
- Mix your white cake according to the directions on the box. Pour half of the batter into a second bowl. (I weighed this to ensure my layers would be the same size but you can eyeball it.)
- Add red food coloring and the cocoa powder to half of the batter and mix to combine; continue adding food coloring until you reach the color you desire. Pour into one of the prepared pans and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Repeat with the blue food coloring (don't add cocoa powder to this layer).
- Bake according to the directions on the box. Cool completely on a wire rack before assembling your cake.
- Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until very smooth. Add 4 1/2 cups of the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of the milk, and the vanilla and salt. Mix on low until well combined, then turn mixer to high for 3 minutes, beating until frosting is very light and fluffy. Add additional powdered sugar if frosting is too thin and additional milk if it is too thick.
- Place the red cake layer on a cake stand or cake circle. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top. Carefully top with the cheesecake layer. Top cheesecake with another thin layer of frosting, spreading it gently into an even layer. Top with blue cake layer. (It’s possible your cheesecake layer will be a little wider than your cake; if this is the case you can trim it by running a sharp paring knife around the perimeter of the cake.) Use remaining frosting to frost the cake, and decorate if desired. Serve and enjoy.
*Adding a little cocoa powder allows you to get a deeper red without using as much food coloring.
Cheesecake layer adapted from The Baker’s Manual
Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says
The colours of the cake are incredible – what a fantastic way to celebrate the 4th of July. Would have loved some photos of Cookie in red dye – it made me laugh so much. Just sounds like me in the kitchen – had a few no rubber gloves colouring incidents myself, have not had one if quiet some time though. Fingers crossed 🙂
Miriam x
Kelsie says
Haha! I should have taken pictures but I was in such a panic I didn’t think to. She’s very wiggly and I didn’t want her rubbing dye all over the furniture :). Here’s hoping neither of us has another food coloring incident in the near future! Happy almost-Friday, Miriam!
David | Spiced says
Mind blown. Literally. This cake is amazing, Kelsie! And I know you made it just for me for Father’s Day, right? Like you packaged it up, gave it to that UPS guy and sent it out East? Thank you so much for doing that! Speaking of the UPS guy, I kinda wish he had been standing at your door when you opened it with all of the red hands and fingerprints and dog everywhere. And if he had looked at you sideways, you could’ve just looked back and been all like “what?” 🙂 So this cake is perfect for summer, and I definitely need to make this one! Laura’s family has a picnic coming up in July and it happens to fall on my birthday. I think this cake will make an appearance for that one. Happy Thursday, my friend!
Kelsie says
I’m cracking up right now! Yes, expect that cake on your doorstep by Sunday :). The UPS guy took one look at all that red and was like, “no charge for rush shipping ma’am!” I hope you have a great Father’s Day and a wonderful weekend, David!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Oh my goodness! What a beauty of a cake, Kelsie!! Those layers!! You had to have a ruler or something, did you?? Seriously! I laughed out loud about your messy UPS situation, but laughed even harder about Cookie’s power colour sentence – loved it! Have a fantastic weekend, girl!
Kelsie says
No ruler! I honestly don’t know how I got them to come out like that. It was pure chance :). You have a great weekend too, my dear!
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
OHHHHH how gorgeous is this cake??? I love it and the whole story. Oh Gosh! Sounds like right out of the movies! Have a great weekend!!!
Kelsie says
Hahaha! Thank you Kim! I would have preferred to see it on the big screen rather than in my kitchen :). Happy almost-Friday!
wearenotmartha says
OK first of all, this cheesecake is GORGEOUS!!! I am obsessed with the bright vibrant colors. Pinned!! And second of all, I SO feel your food coloring pain! I would totally pick my dog up if the doorbell rang, no matter the situation! Also, I definitely dropped frosting with food coloring on my dog’s head last week (it’s not my fault she won’t get out from under my feet!) and my husband freaked. It might have had something to do with an incident we had a few years back where green food coloring was constantly showing up randomly around our apartment (oops?). He is not a fan of my food coloring antics, but how can I quit when I keep saying cakes like this!!
Sues
Kelsie says
OMG! I’ve never dropped frosting on my dog’s head but I can’t count how many times I’ve dropped jam on her :). Can you even imagine life without them underfoot? I don’t want to think about it. Thank you Sues! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
3scoopsofsugar says
This is magnificent Kelsie!! I just love the awesome red, white, and blue-so festive for the 4th!! Love your story with the UPS man too! I would sure love to make this for our family for the 4th! Keeping this recipe for sure! Have a great weekend!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Megan! I think he was a little dazed but I’m sure as time goes on he’ll get used to the crazy–unless I improve my skills with the food coloring :). You have a great weekend too!
Deepika | TheLoveOfCakes says
This is such a beautiful cake?? Love the textures in that slice? I also always mess up the kitchen whenever I use food colors.. I am going to keep in mind using the gloves ? After all less mess is less cleaning!
Kelsie says
Thank you Deepika! I’m all for anything that means less cleaning :). I think I’ll buy a couple boxes of gloves at Costco so I’ll have a supply for years to come! Have a great weekend!
Milena | craftbeering.com says
This is a beautiful cake for so many occassions! Wish we had had it yesterday for Flag Day. Got a beautiful new flag for the front of the house and could have used a slice or two:) Wish I had seen Cookie ‘wearing’ pink:)
PS. Did the blinds arrive?
Kelsie says
Thank you Milena! I should have posted this Monday right? Someday I’ll be a better planner. Someday. The blinds are scheduled for installation this coming Monday (YAAAAAAAY!). I’m going to have my fingers crossed all weekend that it happens as planned. Thank you for asking :). Have an awesome weekend, my friend!
Kelly says
Oh no!! Glad everthing is all cleaned up now though. And oh my goodness, this cake is so pretty and festive, Kelsie! Perfect for Fourth of July!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Kelly! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Bahahaha! Pink is her power color!!! What a coincidence… pink is MY power color! 🙂 I love that you said that. SO SO MUCH! I’m a puppy parent, so I TOTALLY understand! I’m dying over the red food coloring debacle! I don’t know what I’d be more upset about… the red on my dog, door or doorknob. Probably all three equally. I’m not a planner either, despite my best efforts, so I can totally imagine that mess happening to me. BUT, I’d say it was totally worth it because this cake is SO festive and fun!!! Just perfect for 4th of July!! Cheers, dear.
P.s. Now I know what to get you for Christmas – gloves! 😉
Kelsie says
I knew you’d get me! I know–I couldn’t decide which to clean first, the dog (so she couldn’t transfer the color everywhere) or the door, which is white and I didn’t want it to stain. UGH! I have a feeling I’ll be getting lots of gloves for Christmas, haha! Have a great weekend, girl!
Patrick@looneyforfood says
So pretty! I feel your pain about the food coloring incedent! Love a good cake sandwich!
Kelsie says
Thank you Patrick! Happy Friday!
Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says
Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays too Kelsie!! Something about being outside celebrating with food with people I love…it’s a happy time!!!
Kelsie says
I agree completely! I love how simple and fun gatherings are for the 4th :). Have a great weekend Lindsay!
eastofedencook says
What a fabulous dessert for the 4th! It just wouldn’t be the same with out the food coloring…. mess and all.
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Deb! Have a great weekend!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen says
What a GORGEOUS cake Kelsie! so festive. Absolutely perfect for the 4th of July!
Kelsie says
Thank you Mary Ann! Have a great weekend!
evolvewithmary says
I’ve been wanting to make a cheesecake for the last few months. Then you spring this masterpiece on me and it seems like a done deal. I’m making this for 4th of July. I’ve had so many kitchen mishaps, almost too many to count. LOL red finger print everywhere.
Kelsie says
Haha! My advice is to get rubber gloves and maybe use less food coloring than I did :). I hope you’ll be mishap free that way! Have a great weekend, Mary!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says
This cake was totally worth all the craziness of dying it because it looks AMAZING and awesome and completely patriotic!! Yum! I hope you got something good from UPS too 😉 Xoxo
Kelsie says
Thank you Kelly! The funny thing is I don’t even remember what I got. The craziness of the situation just made me block it out I guess :). Have a great weekend my dear!
Claire says
These look so delicious, Kelsie!
Kelsie says
Thank you Claire!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
Kelsie, your post made me laugh – good start for a Friday morning. However, I know your feelings. Although I don’t have a dog, well, I have the entire kitchen to leave some marks while I’m using food colorings. Most of time I use gloves now when I handle colorings or beets (beets probably are the worst), but it doesn’t always work well. Also, there might be an issue when I work with dough/flour. Trust me, the sink and sink tap look quite disastrous once I’ve finished. Honestly, I look quite disastrous once I’ve done (My better half always screams something like: “don’t touch/do/seat etc until you get your clothes changed). One the other hand, I believe all talented (and humble) artists make some mess around the place they work (too bad if they get interrupted to open the door or something else – not their fault at all). This cake looks fantastic, and I sincerely think it’s fine to paint the whole house if needed because the cake is worth of it. I need something similar, with a Canadian theme:)
Kelsie says
Hahaha! I don’t think I’ve ever finished a recipe without leaving the kitchen (and myself) a ridiculous mess :). I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who does this! Have a fantastic weekend, Ben!
lynne hoareau says
Well, thanks for the chuckle ! Just envisioning all that happened, Cookie, the dye, the everything really has made my day.
Often I think I am the only one that does not plan, and have all these hic-cups happening, but you know what, we are human, so all is good, (at least life is not boring)
Your cheesecake is an absolute work of art – I love it. Thanks so much for sharing. x
Kelsie says
Awwww you’re welcome Lynne! And thank you! Have a great weekend!
cakespy says
This is just so HAPPY! I love the bright colors and festive decoration. I love that you’ve presented such a creative and beautiful “doctored” cake mix recipe, too! Fun.
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Jessie! Happy Friday, my friend!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
Oh my goodness, this is GORGEOUS. I would for sure mess this up. I mess up box-mix brownies. Maybe I’ll just live vicariously through you ;). Seriously, this sounds and looks so delicious!
Kelsie says
Haha! Oh no! I’ll send you a piece so you can enjoy it for yourself :). Have a great weekend Annie!
Love In My Oven says
Kelsie this cake is so pretty!! The colors are so vibrant. I might just omit the blue and make one for Canada’s upcoming birthday 😉 I am cracking up just imagining your dog covered in red as well as your door handles!! Hah, I hope you took pictures. Have a great weekend friend!!
Kelsie says
Oooohhh all red would be so pretty! I love that idea :). I wasn’t thinking clearly enough to take pictures, but if it ever happens again (which I hope it doesn’t!) I’m going to be more on top of things! You have a great weekend too, Katherine!
Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl) says
It looks so beautiful and festive! 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you Pamela! Happy Friday!
Katherine says
This cake is great! I love 4th of July themed desserts. 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you Katherine! Have a great weekend, my friend!
Allie R Taylor says
Dear Kelsie – I love hearing about your adventures with Cookie. So pink is the power color, eh? 🙂 Then Cookie and I must be kindred spirits. Ha ha. So your cake is gorgeous and what a way to celebrate Old Glory with a fantastic cake like this. Heading to Romania tomorrow for over a week, but will be checking in from there because I don’t miss any delicious posts from your kitchen! Have a great weekend my friend! XO
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Allie! I can’t wait to hear about your amazing trip. Have a safe–and WONDERFUL–time, my dear! Happy Saturday!
Carlee says
What a pretty cake! Too funny about the food coloring. We had a small incident yesterday in the last minute prep for my sister’s baby shower. But it was more a messy preschool licking the beaters. A quick change of clothes and a good wipe down of face and hands and we were back in business 😉 My brother is doing a hog roast for the 4th and this would be such a fun cake to bring along!
Kelsie says
Thank you Carlee! I’m glad your cleanup was relatively easy–mixing preschoolers with food coloring could go wrong really fast, haha! I hope you’re having a great weekend!
Georgie | The Home Cook's Kitchen says
This is SO cool! You have amazing cake decorating skills! I am loving everyones 4th of July recipes at the moment! I feel though not being from America, I would be an imposter making a 4th of july recipe! maybe I’ll just make some appetizers or salads instead for the holiday?
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Georgie! But no way are you an imposter girl! I officially give you permission to make any and all 4th of July recipes you want–I speak for all Americans. I think? 🙂 Happy Wednesday!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
That is so pretty and it sounds delicious!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Julie! Have a great weekend!
Paladugu Divya says
So delectable!!
Kelsie says
Thank you! Have a great weekend!
grace says
this is cake perfection, kelsie! the colors are perfect, the layers are perfect, the frosting is perfect, and the decoration is perfect! you are so talented. 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Grace!
Amanda L Hobbs says
Haha! I totally hear you on the poor planning thing! I’m always like…”oh it will be fiiiine” and wing everything. It makes for some interesting stories (and usually more work on my part than just planning in the 1st place).
Kelsie says
Oh I’m so glad I’m not the only one 🙂
Carrie Purchase says
Is the cheesecake layer not too heavy to be the middle layer?
Kelsie says
It’s not. I was afraid of that but I’ve made numerous cheesecake cakes at this point and the cheesecake layer works just fine 🙂
Katie says
Use a springform pan to avoid issues of removing the cheesecake after it is baked. If your springform is larger than your cake pans, use the springform for all three layers.
Kelsie says
That’s a great idea Katie! Thank you!
piesandprejudicebaker says
OMG this cake is absolutely stunning and I LOVED the story about Cookie and her colour coat mishap!! haha I was laughing the whole time reading it and I can SO relate. I know I’d pick up my little Mittan if the doorbell rang and I had food colour on my hands, too. I hope it wasn’t too much work to clean her, and everything else, up. I can only imagine what the UPS guy was thinking….did he look worried? haha Good thing you didn’t invite him inside to sign the paperwork as he might have refused.Too funny! I love your baking adventures, thanks for sharing.
Cookie probably forgave you pretty quickly and possibly didn’t even notice. Maybe you’ll just have to up the ‘treat ante’ in September and then you might be ‘allowed’ to do the Green for football season lol
Love this beautiful cake too, my friend…you outdid yourself! Those layers and the cheescake inside is absolutely perfect for the Fourth.
Enjoy the rest of your week, girl 😀
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Dana! The UPS guy did look a little confused, haha! I just think Cookie would look so cute with a touch of green :). Baking adventures are my favorite kind! Have a great rest of your week, my dear!
Jez says
Do you think I’d have any troubles making this as a bundt cake and just spooning in the cheesecake batter between two cake layers? Would it still come out right? I figure there’s cheesecake brownies and such that come out fine, so a cake should survive….
Kelsie says
I’ve certainly seen cheesecake filled bundts before, but my hunch is that in this case the cheesecake layer would be too thick and you’d end up with either an underdone cheesecake layer or a burned red and blue layer. But if you try it let me know how it works!
Kelly says
LOVED this cake! The only deviation I made was putting some cherry pie filling in between the layers, it complimented the cheesecake layer beautifully!
Kelsie says
I looooove the idea to add cherry pie filling! That sounds delicious! thanks for letting me know, Kelly!