Juneteenth cakes should feel like a tribute not a disappointment.
When I first saw those viral Juneteenth cakes from Kroger, I felt a deep ache in my chest. Not just as someone who adores baking, but as a woman who believes food should always carry meaning, respect, and love. Juneteenth isn’t just a date on the calendar it’s a celebration of liberation, resilience, and culture. So when a big-name supermarket like Kroger puts out a tray of poorly decorated cookie cakes with phrases like “Free @ Last” scribbled carelessly in icing, how can that not feel like a punch in the heart?
Food speaks. And when it comes to something as sacred as Juneteenth, cakes should say more than just “Congrats” with an off-center swirl of red and green. They should tell a story. A sweet, rich, thoughtful story that honors freedom and family, community and pride. And you know what? If the big stores can’t get it right, we can. Right here in our own kitchens.
Let’s turn that frustration into flour-dusted joy and bake something that truly celebrates what Juneteenth stands for.
Why this Juneteenth cake recipe matters more than ever
I’ve always believed that baking is more than just mixing sugar and flour. It’s about connection. And with Juneteenth cakes becoming a topic of heated conversation especially after the viral mishap at Kroger it’s time we take back the narrative.
Juneteenth isn’t just another marketing opportunity. It’s a moment that carries generations of pain, hope, and healing. And what happened at Kroger showed us what it looks like when that message gets lost in translation. A cake saying “Congratulations” might work for a graduation… but not for freedom after centuries of injustice.
That’s why this cake matters. Because we get to create it with intention. With ingredients that don’t just taste good but mean something. Red, the color of strength and sacrifice, will shine in our frosting. Layers will be soft but bold just like the people this day honors. And every slice will carry the kind of love you just can’t buy in a store.
This recipe is our answer. A sweet, joyful, homemade reply to the mess on those supermarket shelves. Let’s bake something that actually feels like Juneteenth.
Homemade Juneteenth Cake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Hand Mixer
- 9-inch Cake Pans
- Cooling Rack
- Spatula
Ingredients
Cake
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour sifted
- 1 tablespoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted butter room temperature
- 1.75 cups Granulated sugar
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Whole milk warm
- 2 teaspoons White vinegar
Frosting
- 1 cup Unsalted butter room temperature
- 3.5 cups Powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- as needed Red gel food coloring for bold red frosting
Optional Toppings
- to taste Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- to taste Red sugar sprinkles
- to taste Edible gold stars for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry mixture and milk into the batter, starting and ending with dry. Stir gently.
- Pour batter into pans and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
- Beat butter for frosting until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Mix until smooth.
- Add red gel food coloring gradually until desired color is achieved.
- Frost cooled cakes with red buttercream. Decorate with berries and gold stars if desired.
Ingredients for a meaningful Juneteenth cake
When I thought about what a true Juneteenth cake should feel like, I pictured something warm, soft, and deeply comforting. A cake you’d serve to your grandmother, your neighbor, your best friend. A cake that says: I see you. I honor you. Let’s celebrate this day together.
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Here’s what you’ll need for this homemade version that carries heart in every bite:
For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature, soft like a hug)
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk (warm, not cold from the fridge)
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar (to tenderize the crumb)
For the red buttercream frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Red gel food coloring (not liquid, so the frosting stays firm)
Optional toppings:
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Red sugar sprinkles
- Small edible gold stars (for a celebration sparkle)
Everything in this recipe is chosen with intention from the red tones that honor Juneteenth tradition, to the soft vanilla cake that feels like home. Nothing is loud or flashy. Just honest, beautiful baking.
How to make Juneteenth cakes that actually honor the occasion
This isn’t just any cake. These are Juneteenth cakes made with love, history, and meaning. So take your time, breathe in the vanilla, and let’s do this together step by step, the way grandma would’ve taught us.
Step 1: Prep the heart of the kitchen
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. This will help your Juneteenth cakes lift and bake with even tenderness.
Step 2: Whisk the dry magic
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. These dry ingredients give your Juneteenth cake its base steady, reliable, ready to rise.
Step 3: Cream the soul in butter and sugar
In another bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until fluffy and pale. This step is like laying the emotional foundation of your Juneteenth cakes soft, sweet, full of hope.
Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla, one at a time
Mix in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla. You’ll feel the batter start to come alive. It should smell like celebration already.
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Step 5: Alternate dry and milk
Slowly add in the dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the two, starting and ending with dry. Don’t overmix treat your batter gently. Think of the families gathering around your table when they take that first bite of your Juneteenth cake.
Step 6: Pour and bake
Divide the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. While your Juneteenth cakes bake, your whole kitchen will feel wrapped in warmth. Like something good is coming. Because it is.
Step 7: Cool and breathe
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto racks. Let them cool completely before frosting. This step is sacred. It gives the cake time to rest just like the generations before us who fought to rest freely.
Step 8: Make the buttercream bold
Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add in the powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla and milk. Add red food gel slowly until you reach a deep, beautiful red. This red isn’t just a color it’s a symbol. In many Juneteenth cakes, it represents the blood and strength of the journey to freedom.
Step 9: Frost with intention
Spread a generous layer of frosting between the cakes, then cover the outside. Decorate with berries, gold sprinkles, or simply leave it clean and bold. These Juneteenth cakes don’t need to scream. They speak softly and powerfully.
Step 10: Serve and share
Slice it. Share it. Talk about it. This isn’t just dessert. This is your voice on a plate. A sweet, sincere response to what Kroger missed completely.
FAQ about Juneteenth Cakes
What are Juneteenth cakes and why do they matter?
Juneteenth cakes are desserts made in honor of Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. More than just a treat, these cakes are a beautiful, edible tribute to freedom, history, and cultural pride. They matter because they turn celebration into something we can taste, feel, and share with care.
Why did Kroger’s Juneteenth cakes receive backlash?
The Kroger store’s attempt at Juneteenth cakes went viral for all the wrong reasons. Many people felt the designs were rushed, uninspired, and even offensive. Messages like “Free @ Last” scribbled in icing were seen as dismissive of the historical weight that Juneteenth carries. The backlash showed how important it is to approach cultural celebrations with sincerity, not marketing shortcuts.
What flavors are best for Juneteenth cakes?
The best Juneteenth cakes often include ingredients and colors with symbolic meaning. Red is a traditional Juneteenth color, so flavors like strawberry, raspberry, or red velvet are common. In this recipe, we chose a vanilla base with bold red buttercream to blend tradition with homemade comfort.
Can I make Juneteenth cakes if I’m not part of the Black community?
Absolutely if you approach it with respect. Baking Juneteenth cakes is a beautiful way to honor the holiday and show solidarity, especially when made with thoughtfulness and care. Take time to learn about Juneteenth, share the story behind the cake, and support Black-owned creators or causes while you do.
What are good decorations for Juneteenth cakes?
Keep it meaningful. Red berries, gold dust, edible flags, or simply smooth red frosting all work beautifully. Avoid anything that feels performative or “cute” without context. These Juneteenth cakes aren’t birthday cakes—they’re heartfelt.
Are Juneteenth cakes sold in stores now?
Many grocery chains, including Kroger, have tried selling Juneteenth cakes in recent years. However, controversies have shown that store-bought versions often lack cultural depth. That’s why making them at home like this recipe can be a more intentional, loving choice.
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A final word from my kitchen to yours
When done right, Juneteenth cakes can be more than dessert they become a quiet act of love, of memory, of celebration. While Kroger may have missed the mark, we have the chance to do better. To bake with purpose. To serve with heart.
So preheat your oven, gather your people, and let your cake speak volumes.
