This American Flag Cheesecake recipe is the perfect blend of rich, creamy indulgence and patriotic flair. It’s not just a crowd-pleaser because of its smooth texture and buttery graham cracker crust—it’s also a showstopper at any summer gathering thanks to the vibrant red, white, and blue topping. Fresh berries add a bright, tangy contrast to the velvety filling, and the simple design lets you celebrate America with every slice. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or bringing dessert to a fireworks show, this cheesecake delivers on both taste and tradition.
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Serves: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus chill time)
Bake Time: 1 hours
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Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- For the Filling:
- 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
For the Topping (Flag Decoration):
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup whipped cream (store-bought or homemade)
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Instructions
1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9×13” baking dish or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until it resembles wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of your pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
3. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla; beat again. Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low after each. Stir in sour cream and heavy cream until fully combined.
4. Bake the Cheesecake: Pour filling over the crust. Bake for about 55–65 minutes, or until the center is just set and slightly jiggly. Turn off oven and let it sit inside with the door cracked open for 1 hour.
5. Chill: Remove from oven, cool to room temp, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
6. Decorate as an American Flag: In the upper left corner, place blueberries in a rectangle to represent the “stars” section. Lay rows of sliced strawberries for the red stripes. Pipe whipped cream in alternating rows to complete the white stripes.
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🎆 Additional Tip:
This cheesecake travels better if you decorate it on-site. You can also substitute raspberries for a deeper red stripe color, as well as use a star-shaped piping tip and pipe little whipped cream stars over the blueberries.