Stars and Stripes Forever

We live in the most wonderful country on earth...I value our freedom

and honor those who have given their very lives, because freedom isn't free.

I love OLD GLORY and thrill each time I see it...long may it wave!

For our Memorial Day Barbecue on Monday, I made this
Stars and Stripes Cake...

and you can too! Here's how.

Begin by creaming sugar and eggs together...

Add milk, oil, vanilla, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well till smooth and lump free.

Then color the batter...paste food coloring gives a nice rich color...

Color half of it red and the other half blue.

Begin by pouring 3 tablespoons of red in the bottom of your prepared cake pan. Then add 3 tablespoons of blue batter in the middle of the red and keep going until you have used all the batter and filled both pans about 2/3 full. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes...depends on your oven.

Let your layers cool on wire racks and then trim each layer to make sure it's flat and even.

Now frost your cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and decorating is optional. I tried to create a strawberry star with blueberry centers... I'd appreciate your suggestions...how would you decorate it?

Cut and serve to your guests, "long may it wave in the land of the free and the home of the brave." Hope you enjoy a patriotic finish for your festive celebrations!

Stars and Stripes Cake

• 2 cups sugar
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoons salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Blend the sugar and eggs until lightened, about 2 minutes. Add the oil, milk, and vanilla, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix for 1-2 minutes until the batter is smooth and lump free. Remove 4 cups of the batter to another bowl. Color 1 bowl red and the second bowl blue with food coloring, preferably paste for a richer color. Grease and flour 2-9" round cake pans. (I spray on Baker's Secret). Now for the stripes, spoon 3 tablespoons of either color in the bottom of your prepared pan. Now add three tablespoons of the other color, again adding it in the middle, right on top of the other batter. Continue the same pattern until you have used up all the batter. NOTE: I alternated pans as well, to achieve the same amount of batter in each pan. Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, as always depending on your oven. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and the turn out onto wire rack to finish cooling. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Happy, Happy Memorial Day All!