If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly dessert to mark 4th July, this America flag cheesecake is a firm favourite. It’s a simple no-bake recipe that comes together with just a handful of ingredients, and the best part is letting the kids get creative with the berries at the end to create the flag design.
This cheesecake works brilliantly for a 4th July party, a family barbecue, or just a fun baking activity to do together with the kids. It sets in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of time and take the pressure off on the day itself.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cheesecake is really easy to make up, and once it has set, the kids love helping to decorate it with strawberries and blueberries to create the stars-and-stripes look. It’s a great one to make together as a family activity in the run-up to 4th July.
Ingredients
- 200g cream cheese
- 135g packet of jelly (we like lemon flavour)
- Some water
- 200ml cream
- Juice of half a lemon (optional)
- 125g digestive biscuits
- 75g butter, melted
- Strawberries and blueberries
Method
1. Finely crush the biscuits and mix with the melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased, loose-bottomed 9-inch tin. Put the base in the fridge to firm up.
2. Put the jelly in a microwavable bowl, just cover with water, and squeeze in some lemon juice if you have it. Microwave until melted (about 90 seconds), then leave to cool slightly.
3. Blend the cream cheese until smooth, then gradually blend in the melted jelly, adding a little at a time, until it’s fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whip the cream, then fold it into the cream cheese and jelly mixture.
5. Carefully pour the mixture onto the biscuit base and leave to set in the fridge for at least a couple of hours, or ideally overnight.
To Decorate
Arrange the blueberries in the top left corner of the cheesecake to represent the stars, then arrange the chopped strawberries in lines across the rest of the cake to create the stripes. It’s a simple way to bring the American flag to life on top of your dessert, and kids really enjoy taking charge of this part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?
Yes, this cheesecake needs at least a couple of hours to set, so it’s ideal to make the day before you need it. Just keep it covered in the fridge and add the berry decoration close to serving time so the fruit stays fresh.
Can I use a different flavour of jelly?
Yes, lemon is our preference as it keeps the flavour light and lets the cream cheese and berries shine, but you can experiment with other light-coloured jelly flavours if you prefer.
Do I need a food processor to crush the biscuits?
Not at all. You can place the biscuits in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin if you don’t have a food processor to hand.
Is this recipe suitable for kids to help make?
Yes, it’s a great recipe for little hands, especially the crushing of the biscuits and the decorating stage with the berries at the end.
More Family-Friendly Recipes and Ideas
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll find plenty more fun family food ideas, party recipes, and seasonal treats over in our family food section, with easy bakes and no-fuss dishes the whole family can get involved in.
Save This Recipe for Later
Love this idea? Save this page or share it with a friend who might want to make it too, so it’s easy to find again when 4th July rolls around.
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We’d love to hear from you — do you have a favourite 4th July recipe, or have you made an America flag cheesecake before? Let us know in the comments below.
