Description
This no-bake cheesecake flag cake is a visually stunning dessert perfect for patriotic celebrations. Featuring a rich graham cracker crust with a cocoa hint, a creamy lemon-infused mascarpone and cream cheese filling, and topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries arranged like the American flag, this dessert requires no oven, making it easy and delicious to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling
- 1 cup cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- â…“ cup white sugar
- 1 ¼ cups cold heavy whipping cream
Topping
- 20 large fresh strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise, or as needed
- 24 large fresh blueberries, or as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, cocoa powder, and melted butter in a bowl until thoroughly mixed and crumbly.
- Set the crust: Transfer the crust mixture to a 9×11-inch baking dish; press it down evenly and smoothly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes until set.
- Make the cheese filling: In a separate bowl, mix together the cream cheese and mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, stirring to combine well.
- Whip the cream: Whisk the â…“ cup sugar into the cold heavy whipping cream until fluffy and soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cheese mixture to create a soft and fluffy filling.
- Assemble the cheesecake: Spoon the filling over the chilled crust and spread smoothly. Tap the pan lightly on the work surface to settle everything. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to chill and set.
- Arrange the strawberries: Starting at the bottom long edge, lay strawberry halves in a horizontal line with pointed ends facing right. Create a second shorter stripe at the top right corner similarly with bottoms pointing right.
- Continue strawberry stripes: Add three more full-length horizontal strawberry stripes spaced about ¾ inch above the bottom one, and one shorter line beneath the short top stripe, leaving a square space uncovered in the upper left corner.
- Fill with blueberries: Place blueberries in the square space with blossom ends pointing up, lining them close together to fill the square completely to replicate the blue field of stars.
- Serve: Cut the cake into squares and serve chilled for a festive and delicious dessert.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese and mascarpone are at room temperature to ensure smooth filling.
- Chilling the crust before adding the filling prevents it from becoming soggy.
- Use fresh berries for the best flavor and visual appeal.
- The cake should be well chilled for at least 3 hours to set properly before decorating.
- For a quicker setup, you can refrigerate overnight.
