Welcome to my blog! I’m Jasmine Nwosu, and today I’ll be sharing a recipe that’s perfect for your Fourth of July celebration. This Star-Spangled Sweets dessert is a show-stopper that’s both easy to make and totally delicious. With its patriotic colors and creamy cheesecake filling, this dessert is sure to wow your guests. Plus, it’s a great way to add some red, white, and blue flair to your table!
Jasmine was born and raised in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. She has always had an interest in exploring different cuisines and experimenting with new recipes. When she’s not in the kitchen, Jasmine enjoys dancing and painting.
Jasmine Nwosu currently resides in the United States and grew up in Nigeria.
As someone who grew up in Nigeria and now lives in the United States, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that bring together different culinary traditions. I love how this recipe combines the classic American cheesecake with fresh strawberries and blueberries, creating a dessert that’s both traditional and unique. Plus, as someone who loves experimenting with recipes, I appreciate how easy this dessert is to make. You don’t need to be a seasoned chef to whip up this dessert; just a few simple ingredients are all you need.
Did you know that cheesecake has been enjoyed by humans for thousands of years? The ancient Greeks were said to have been fond of the indulgent dessert, and the Romans even served cheesecake at weddings! Of course, the cheesecake we know and love today owes its origins to 19th-century New York, where cream cheese was first invented. Since then, cheesecake has become a beloved American classic. This recipe takes that classic cheesecake to the next level with its patriotic, fruity twist. With a buttery graham cracker crust, a luscious cheesecake filling, and fresh berries bursting with flavor, this dessert is a true crowd-pleaser. So why not give it a try this Fourth of July? Your taste buds will thank you!
What you need
Star-Spangled Sweets is the ultimate show-stopping dessert for any Fourth of July celebration. It combines a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy vanilla-infused cheesecake filling, and bursts of patriotic color from fresh sliced strawberries and blueberries. One of the best things about this dessert is its ease of preparation; no baking required! Simply mix the crust ingredients, bake, whip up the delicious filling, and assemble with the fruit. In addition to being delicious, this dessert is also super festive and fun to make. The red, white, and blue colors are perfect for showing off your patriotic spirit, and the stars made with fresh fruit make this dessert truly Instagram-worthy. So this 4th of July, grab some graham crackers and berries, invite your friends and family over, and make this delectable, easy-to-make treat that is sure to delight everyone’s taste buds!
Ingredients:
- Blueberries – Fresh blueberries add a burst of color and sweet-tart flavor to these patriotic treats. If fresh blueberries aren’t available, frozen can be used as long as they’re thawed and drained before using.
- Strawberries – Fresh strawberries are a summertime staple and add a bright pop of red color to these treats. If strawberries are out of season, try substituting with raspberries or cherries.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – The graham cracker crumbs serve as the base for the dessert. They provide a sweet, crunchy texture and complement the other flavors in the dish. Crushed cookies or pretzels can be used as a substitute.
- Granulated Sugar – Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps the graham cracker layer stick together.
- Unsalted Butter – Melted and cooled, unsalted butter is used to help bind the graham cracker crumbs together and create a flavorful, stable base.
- Cream Cheese – Cream cheese is blended with powdered sugar to create a creamy, decadent filling. Neufchâtel cheese can be substituted if a lighter version is desired.
- Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar is used to sweeten the cream cheese filling and create a smooth consistency. To make your own powdered sugar, blend granulated sugar in a blender until powdery.
- Heavy Cream – Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the filling. If heavy cream is unavailable, half-and-half or whole milk can be substituted.
- Vanilla Extract – Vanilla extract adds a subtle sweetness and enhances the flavor of the filling. If vanilla extract is out of stock, try substituting with almond or lemon extract.
Utensils:
- 9×13-inch Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Mixing Spoon
- Electric Mixer
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Rubber Spatula
Blueberries
I love using fresh blueberries in my 4th of July desserts for a few reasons. Firstly, blueberries are a quintessential American fruit, making them perfect for any patriotic gathering. Secondly, blueberries are packed with nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber, making them a healthy addition to any dish. Lastly, their sweet-tart flavor perfectly complements the creaminess of the cheesecake filling, the buttery graham crackers, and the tangy strawberries in this recipe. Although it’s rare, blueberries can interfere with certain medications, so be sure to check with your doctor before eating too many if you’re on medication. But, in moderation, they’re a great fruit to incorporate into any dessert!
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar might seem like an unimportant ingredient, but it actually serves a crucial role in this dessert. Using powdered sugar rather than granulated sugar creates a smooth, creamy filling that perfectly complements the crunchy graham cracker crust. Additionally, powdered sugar dissolves quickly, making it perfect for use in no-bake desserts like this one. While powdered sugar may not be the healthiest ingredient (it’s basically just granulated sugar that’s been ground into a fine powder), it’s used in small enough quantities in this recipe that it won’t completely derail your healthy eating goals. One tip I like to share is that powdered sugar is incredibly easy to make at home; all you need is a blender or food processor and some granulated sugar. Simply blend for a minute or two, and voila – homemade powdered sugar!
What to serve it with?
If you want to take the Star-Spangled Sweets recipe to the next level, I recommend serving it with some homemade whipped cream! The airy, sweet whipped cream is the perfect complement to the dense, creamy cheesecake filling. Plus, you can top the whipped cream with a few extra berries or some patriotic sprinkles for an even more festive touch. As someone who has always enjoyed baking, I love the satisfaction of making my own whipped cream and serving it alongside a dessert. The whole process is simple, yet it elevates the dessert to a whole new level. So why not try making your own whipped cream to go with your Star-Spangled Sweets? Your taste buds will thank you!
Summary
As we bring this blog to a close, I hope that this recipe has inspired you to get creative in the kitchen and try something new this Fourth of July. Whether you’re making Star-Spangled Sweets for your family, your friends, or just for yourself, I’m sure that this dessert will be a hit. If you do decide to give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know how it turns out! I always love hearing from fellow foodies and learning about their own tweaks to classic recipes. In the comments below, let me know: what’s your favorite way to add a twist to a classic recipe? Do you have any tips for making this recipe even more delicious? I can’t wait to hear from you!
Here’s the recipe:
Star-Spangled Sweets: 4th of July Dessert Delights to Sweeten Your Celebration
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Parchment Paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing Spoon
- Electric mixer
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- rubber spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups Blueberries
- 2 cups Strawberries
- 2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Make the Graham Cracker Crust - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool completely. - If you want an extra-thick crust, you can double the amount of graham cracker crumbs and butter. Just be sure to use a larger baking dish to accommodate the extra crust!
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy and smooth. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese mixture with a rubber spatula until fully combined and smooth. - Be sure not to overwhip the cream, or it could become grainy or curdled. It's better to err on the side of underwhipped cream, as it will continue to thicken as it chills.
- Assemble the Dessert - Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the cooled graham cracker crust, leaving a little room around the edges. Arrange the blueberries and strawberries in a star pattern on top of the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate the dessert for at least 1 hour, or until set. - To create the star pattern, I like to arrange the blueberries in a circle first and then fill in the gaps with sliced strawberries. You can also experiment with other fruit combinations, like raspberries or blackberries instead of strawberries.
- Cut and Serve - Using a sharp knife, cut the dessert into squares. Serve chilled, and enjoy!
