Red, White and Blue Berry Dessert (Perfect to Make Ahead)
This Red, White and Blue Berry Dessert is creamy, fruity, and layered with sweet blueberry and cherry pie filling over a buttery graham cracker crust. Finished with a fluffy cream cheese layer and Cool Whip topping, it's the perfect balance of rich, light, and refreshing for hot summer days.
It's the kind of easy dessert that always stands out at patriotic holidays, whether you're celebrating Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day. With bright layers and fabulous flavor, this patriotic dessert is perfect for feeding a crowd without spending all day in the kitchen.
We host a lot of gathers, so we love simple desserts; especially our 3 Ingredient Strawberry Dump Cake or Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, which are very simple to prepare.
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Ingredients
This layered dessert uses simple ingredients that come together into a creamy, colorful treat perfect for summer holidays.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: Creates a buttery crust with the perfect crunchy base.
- Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the crust together while adding richness.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel-like sweetness to the crust.
- Cream Cheese: Forms the rich, creamy center layer of the dessert.
- Cool Whip: Adds a light, fluffy texture throughout the filling and topping.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture without making it grainy.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the filling and balances the sweetness.
- Blueberry Pie Filling: Adds sweet blue layers with juicy berries throughout.
- Cherry Pie Filling: Creates the bold red layer that makes this dessert perfect for patriotic celebrations.
To make this recipe, all you need are measuring cups and spoons, a 9x13 baking dish, mixing bowl and a hand mixer.
Variations
- Fresh Fruit Addition: Top with fresh berries for extra texture and color.
- Trifle Style: Layer everything into a trifle bowl or large glass bowl for a more dramatic presentation.
- Individual Servings: Assemble into mason jars or cups for easy grab-and-go desserts.
How to Make Red White and Blue Dessert Lasagna
With its simple layers, this fruit-filled dessert will be setting in the fridge before you know it!
Preheat oven to 350F and prepare a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside (you do not have to do the whole thing but do the bottom).
In a mixing bowl, add your graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and light brown sugar, mix to combined. It should be lightly damp but not wet.
Transfer crust mixture to the prepared baking dish and evenly spread along the bottom (I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup). Bake for 12 minutes, then cool completely before starting the next step.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar and lemon juice and mix again to incorporate.
Lightly fold in the Cool Whip then set aside.
Spread blueberry pie filling evenly over crust, then carefully followed by the cream cheese mixture. Since it is a heavier layer, I like to place dollops all around with a cookie scoop and carefully spread each one outward to not mix the layers, but it does not have to be perfect.
Spoon on the cherry pie filling, then with the remaining Cool Whip add the last layer.
Refrigerate for about 6 hours or overnight to allow the layers to set, and garnish with any sprinkles or fresh fruit once you are ready to serve.
Hint: Let the crust cool fully before adding the filling so the layers do not get soggy from moisture.
Recipe Tips
- Spread Gently: Use dollops of the cream cheese mixture and spread carefully to avoid mixing the fruit layers.
- Chill Overnight: Refrigerating longer helps the dessert set and makes slicing easier.
- Use Full Fat Cream Cheese: This gives the filling the best texture and flavor.
For another easy summer dessert perfect for gatherings, our Red, White and Blue Fruit Cups are a fresh and simple option.
More Dessert Ideas
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store covered or in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months, though the texture may soften slightly once thawed.
- Make Ahead: This is a perfect make-ahead dessert since it needs time to chill and set.
Serving Suggestions
- More Red White and Blue Desserts: Cookie Cake, Trifle, Layered Cheesecake, Sugar Cookie Cups, Dump Cake, Cupcakes and Poke Cake, Cookies.
Red, White and Blue Berry Dessert Recipe FAQs
Yes, homemade whipped cream works well, but make sure it's whipped to stiff peaks for stability.
Absolutely. Strawberry, blackberry, or mixed berry pie fillings all work well.
It has the layered feel of a trifle dessert but the structure of a dessert lasagna with a crust base versus.
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Red White and Blue Berry Dessert
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Hand Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
CRUST:
- 320 grams graham cracker crumbs about 2 cups
- 1 stick butter unsalted and melted
- 50 grams light brown sugar about ¼ cup packed
FILLING:
- 2 8 ounce bricks cream cheese full fat and room temperature
- 1 8 ounce Cool Whip thawed and divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 21 ounce cans blueberry pie filling
- 2 21 ounce cans cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and prepare a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside (you do not have to do the whole thing but do the bottom).
- In a mixing bowl, add your graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and light brown sugar, mix to combined. It should be lightly damp but not wet.
- Transfer crust mixture to the prepared baking dish and evenly spread along the bottom (I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup). Bake for 12 minutes, then cool completely before starting the next step.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar and lemon juice and mix again to incorporate.
- Lightly fold in the Cool Whip then set aside.
- Spread blueberry pie filling evenly over crust, then carefully followed by the cream cheese mixture. Since it is a heavier layer, I like to place dollops all around with a cookie scoop and carefully spread each one outward to not mix the layers, but it does not have to be perfect.
- Spoon on the cherry pie filling, then with the remaining Cool Whip add the last layer.
- Refrigerate for about 6 hours or overnight to allow the layers to set, and garnish with any sprinkles or fresh fruit once you are ready to serve.
Notes
- Spread Gently: Use dollops of the cream cheese mixture and spread carefully to avoid mixing the fruit layers. Since the filling layer is heavy, I like to place dollops all around with a cookie scoop and carefully spread each one outward to not mix the layers, but it does not have to be perfect.
- Chill Overnight: Refrigerating longer helps the dessert set and makes slicing easier.
- Use Full Fat Cream Cheese: This gives the filling the best texture and flavor.
- Cool the Crust: Let the crust cool fully before adding the filling so the layers do not get soggy from moisture.
- Refrigerator: Store covered or in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months, though the texture may soften slightly once thawed.
- Make Ahead: This is a perfect make-ahead dessert since it needs time to chill and set.
Nutrition
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