This easy party cake brings the fireworks to your Fourth of July table!
The Lemon Cookie Patriotic Party Cake is all about easy summer fun. It starts with a lemon cake mix, gets a boost from vanilla pudding, and finishes with a layer of buttercream, sugar cookies, sprinkles, and candy. It’s bright, festive, and made for backyard BBQs, fireworks, and passing around big slices while the sun goes down.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft lemon cake with added pudding for extra moisture
- Topped with creamy vanilla buttercream
- Decorated with red, white, and blue sugar cookies
- Loaded with patriotic sprinkles and candy for crunch and color
- Easy to make using a lemon cake mix
- Perfect for Fourth of July parties, BBQs, and summer gatherings
- Fun to decorate and great for getting kids involved
- Festive, flavorful, and guaranteed to stand out on the dessert table
Ingredient Notes
- Lemon cake mix: Any brand works, but one with natural lemon flavor is best for a bright, fresh taste.
- Vanilla pudding mix: Use the dry mix only—this adds moisture and a rich, bakery-style texture to the cake.
- Pillsbury Red, White & Blue Shape Sugar Cookie Dough: Found in the refrigerated section seasonally; if unavailable, swap with any cutout sugar cookie dough.
- Salted butter: Balances the sweetness in the buttercream—don’t substitute unsalted unless you add a pinch of salt.
- Heavy cream: Helps whip the frosting to a light, spreadable texture. Add it gradually to control consistency.
- Red, white, and blue candy: M&Ms, Sixlets, and gummies work well—choose a mix of sizes for the best visual effect
Before You Bake
Do I need to prepare the pudding mix before adding it to the cake batter?
No—just use the dry pudding mix straight from the box. It blends into the batter to add moisture and richness without making it too dense.
Can I bake this in a disposable pan?
Yes, a disposable 13×9-inch pan works great and makes it easier to transport to BBQs or parties.
Do I need to chill the cake before decorating?
Let the cake cool completely at room temperature before frosting, but you don’t need to refrigerate it unless you’re making it ahead.
Lemon Cookie Patriotic Party Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix (just the dry mix)
- 1 package Pillsbury Red, White & Blue Shape Sugar Cookie Dough
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Red, white, and blue star sprinkles
- Assorted red and blue candy, I used gummies
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the lemon cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and dry pudding mix until well combined. Pour the batter into a greased 13×9-inch baking dish and bake according to the directions on the cake mix box. Let the cake cool completely.
- While the cake is cooling, bake the Pillsbury Red, White & Blue Shape Sugar Cookies according to package directions. Allow them to cool fully before decorating.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of cream. Beat until fluffy, adding more cream a tablespoon at a time if needed for a spreadable consistency.
- Frost the cooled cake with the vanilla buttercream. Line the edges with the cookies to form a fun border. Fill the center with star sprinkles and tuck the red and blue candies into the gaps between the cookies.
- Slice into squares and serve!
FAQ
Can I use homemade sugar cookies instead of store-bought dough?
Absolutely—just be sure to use a recipe that holds its shape well for the decorative border.
How far in advance can I make this cake?
You can bake and frost the cake up to 1 day ahead. Add the sprinkles and candy just before serving to keep them crisp and colorful.
What can I substitute for lemon cake mix?
You can use yellow or white cake mix and add 1–2 teaspoons of lemon extract or fresh lemon zest to mimic the flavor.
How should I store leftovers?
Store the cake covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temp for about 20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Can I freeze the cake?
Yes—freeze the unfrosted cake layer tightly wrapped for up to one month. Thaw before frosting and decorating.
Sprinkle of Fun
Get ready for the 4th of July with all the backyard staples—grilled burgers, paper plates, sunscreen, and laughter that lasts past sunset. Bring this Lemon Cookie Patriotic Party Cake along in a disposable container so it’s easy to pass around and even easier to leave behind. It’s the kind of dessert that fits right in with sparklers, lawn chairs, and second helpings.
Grab More Treats
Love sheet cakes? Check out this Chocolate Overload Sheet Cake
Find more fun and easy patriotic recipes here!
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