11 Patriotic Inauguration Day Recipes

Foods worth celebrating.

Inauguration Day 2021 will look different this year. Instead of thousands of people celebrating at parades, dinners, and balls, most of us will be cozy at home. So watch the pared-down festivities on TV — and cook one of these all-American and patriotic Inauguration Day recipes, each one tested and trustworthy.

From Mary Washington’s gingerbread to J.F.K’s favorite waffles, here are 11 Inauguration Day recipes worth celebrating.

Inauguration Day Recipes for Dessert

Red, white, and blueberry pound cake, anyone? These dessert recipes — some with historic and patriotic flair — will keep Inauguration Day sweet, no matter what.

Mary Washington’s Gingerbread Cake

Our first president, George Washington, may not have had the best relationship with his mother, but the woman sure could bake a cake. Her moist, generously-spiced gingerbread takes the cake for all-time great winter desserts — with patriotic flavor to match.

Loaded Cowboy Blondies

Cowboy cookies became well known during the 2000 Bush-Gore election, when Laura Bush’s cowboy cookie recipe beat Tipper Gore’s gingersnaps. These buttery blondies are absolutely stuffed with all the goodness of the original cookie — think pecans, coconut flakes, chocolate chips — but taste fudgy (and frankly, better).

All-American Apple Pie With Butter Crust

Not only is it apple season, but this is also the perfect excuse to bake the most iconic American dessert out there.

Mixed Berry Pound Cake

A sweet, all-butter pound cake folded with tons of sweet, juicy raspberries and blueberries. This red, white, and blueberry pound cake looks and tastes spectacular.

Breakfasts to Start the Day Right

Make sure you get a good start to the day with these hearty, nourishing breakfasts. These Inauguration Day recipes will keep you fueled up.

J.F.K’s Favorite Waffles

Everyone needs a good waffle recipe. So why not choose light, flavorful buttermilk waffles that just happened to be the favorite of an iconic American president? Here’s Jackie and John Kennedy’s recipe for waffles.

Sour Cream Coffee Crumb Cake

New Jersey crumb buns meet classic coffee cake in an all-American treat. Cake for breakfast is always a right decision on a celebration day, and this one pairs perfectly with your morning cup of joe.

Multigrain Porridge Oatmeal

This recipe takes creamy oatmeal to another level, with quinoa, millet, and lots of good, well-balanced toppings. Top with mixed fresh berries for a red, white, and blue theme.

Sweet Potato Morning Glory Muffins

Sweet potatoes are an indigenous American food, and Morning Glory muffins were first invented in California. This recipe combines both all-American aspects into one moist, flavorful muffin full of goodness like apple chunks, coconut, and nuts.

Inauguration Day Recipes for Dinner

It’s comfort food time. These satisfying Inauguration Day recipes for dinner mostly cook themselves. That way, you can watch all the action instead of stirring pots and pans.

New England Fish Chowder

A creamy soup from America’s northeast. Authentic, flavorful, and loaded with thick chunks of fresh fish.

Grandmom-Style Eggplant Parmesan

Red tomato sauce and white, melty mozzarella cheese add patriotic colors. Eggplant parm is the ultimate vegetarian comfort food that takes old world to your world.

The Best, Juiciest Turkey Meatloaf

The one, the only. When I think of classic American suppers, I think meatloaf. This turkey version is moist and full of flavor.

Truly Great Vegetarian Chili

Make it in advance, top with heaps of cheese, sour cream, and scallions, and enjoy this heartiest of soups.

Herb-Roasted Pork Tenderloin

This dinner roasts easily in the oven and looks oh-so-special. Pair it with this homemade chunky applesauce.

What Inauguration Day foods and recipes will you make this year? Share below! And here’s one recipe to get you started.

Print Recipe

Red, White + Blueberry Pound Cake

A classic, all-butter mixed berry pound cake for dessert, loaded with fresh raspberries and blueberries. Perfect for Election Day, patriotic holidays, or any occasion at all.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time1 hr 15 mins

Course: brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keywords:: 4th of july, blueberry, cake, dessert, easy, election day, patriotic, pound cake, raspberry

Servings: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup blueberries, fresh or individually quick frozen (IQF)
• 1 ½ cups raspberries, fresh or individually quick frozen (IQF)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease well a standard tube pan.
• With an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat until very smooth and light. Scrape the bowl to make sure everything is emulsified.
• Stir in the baking powder, salt, and flour and mix on low until combined. Do not over-mix. Fold in the berries and stir until just mixed throughout.

  PRO TIP: If using frozen berries, do not thaw them. Add them to the cake batter right from the freezer. This will make the cake batter somewhat stiff, but that is fine. Do not over-mix or your batter will become purple!
• Bake in the center of the oven until a cake tester comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes, or slightly more. If using frozen berries, it will be closer to 1 hour 20 to 25 minutes.
• Cool in the pan until the cake can be handled. Run an offset spatula or knife around the edges of the cake pan. Invert onto a dish, then right side up again onto a cooling rack. Cool fully.
• Decorate with a simple powdered sugar glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or some buttercream topped with freeze-dried or fresh berries.