Red white and blue(ish) cake in Tales from the kitchen witch

I always find a red white and blueish desert for the big “USA USA” Holidays.
This year im making a red white and blue cake.

First up. Make a vanilla cake. You can do a box cake if you want, or make one from scratch!!

cooking spray

2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 pinches salt
3 eggs
¾ cup milk
¾ cup vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch cake tin with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. OR you can prepare individual cupcakes.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt together in a large bowl. Add eggs, milk, and vegetable oil; mix by hand or beat with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Add more flour if batter is too runny. Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Allow to cool fully.

While this is cooking/cooling. Prepare your filling.

Make 2 packages RED jello of choice. I’m using sugar free strawberry and raspberry. Allow to cook and cool fully.

Make a Berry compote.

I mixed 3 cups of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates and cherries. 1 cup of sugar ( yes its a lot!!) 1/2 cup water. Bring to simmer and allow the fruit to cook fully. About 10 minutes. Mix in 2 tablespoons corn starch and whip the crap out of it to thicken and break up any chunks. If its not thick enough, add a bit more corn starch. Frozen fruit releases a lot of water so you may need more!!

Allow to cool fully.

Prepare your “white” topping.

In a stand mixer ( you dont want to do this by hand....) Mix 1 container (8 oz) cream cheese with 1/2-1 cup sugar. Whip till its smooth, Yes you can use granulated here. It dosent need to be confectioners sugar, but it can be if you want it to. Add in 1-2 tablespoons vanilla. Measure with your heart! Likewise, taste your topping, Too sweet? Add more cream cheese, too tart, add more sugar!!
I suggest starting off with half a cup and tasting it, then adding more.

Add in 2 cups of heavy whipping cream. With your mixer on slow, let it incorporate to the cream cheese. When its mixed in and you wont be splashed to high hell. Turn that beastie on high and let her go!

You will know its done when this turns into whipped cream. You will know. I promise!!

Set aside in the fridge till ALL Your desert fixings are done and COLD.

I typically make my Jello the day before. Make my cake, then while its baking and cooling, make my compote and whipped topping.

When its all done, The fun begins.

First up. Cut up your jello! Literally chop it up with a fork.
Spoon this over your cake.
Next cover the whole thing with your berry compote.
Then top with your cream cheese mousse.

Serve chilled.

Its amazing!