Flag Cake

 
9”x13” cake (see below)
2 pts strawberries
1 pt blueberries
Butter Cream Frosting (see below)

Wash, de-stem and cut the strawberries into halves. Wash the blueberries and drain on paper towels. Make the frosting and spread over the top and sides of the cake. In the top left hand corner of the frosted cake arrange the blueberries into an outline of a rectangle that is 5 inches wide and 4 inches tall. Fill in the rectangle by pressing the blueberries down into the frosting. Fill the blueberry outline in with the remaining blueberries. The blueberries will look best if placed in rows, the frosting between them will resemble stars. Place strawberry halves, cut-side down in rows going across the cake going horizontally. The bottom stripe of the flag is red, so start the first row at the bottom. Be sure to press the berries down into the frosting.

Chocolate Syrup Cake

© 1991 "From Ellie's Kitchen to Yours"
 
1 stick butter or margarine
1 C sugar
4 eggs
1¼ C flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
16 oz chocolate syrup
1 tsp vanilla
Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling on top (optional)

Cream butter or margarine and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine flour and baking soda and add alternately with chocolate syrup. Add vanilla. Pour into a greased 9"x13" pan. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick, inserted in center, comes out clean. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar or frost with your own favorite frosting.

Hint: This is one of the easiest and tastiest chocolate cakes to make. I always keep a can of Hershey syrup on hand in case I need a cake in an emergency. It's delicious even without frosting and perfect to bring to a picnic or barbecue.

Butter Cream Frosting

 
4½ C confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/2 C butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 T milk
Food coloring, if desired

Cream butter with confectioners’ sugar until well blended. Add vanilla. Add the milk until frosting has reached the desired consistency. Add food coloring, a few drops at a time, until desired color is reached.

Hint: This frosting is the perfect consistency for decorating a cake using a pastry bag.