Description
This No-Bake Cheesecake Flag Cake is a delicious and visually stunning dessert perfect for patriotic celebrations. Featuring a chocolate graham cracker crust, a creamy mascarpone and cream cheese filling lightly flavored with lemon and vanilla, and topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries arranged like the American flag, this cake is sure to impress without ever turning on the oven.
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
- 24 large fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup sugar, cocoa powder, and melted butter in a bowl until the mixture is crumbly and well mixed.
- Form the Crust: Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×11-inch baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set.
- Make the Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese and mascarpone until smooth. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to flavor the cheese mixture.
- Whip the Cream: Whisk the â…“ cup sugar into the cold heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cheese mixture until fluffy and fully combined.
- Assemble and Chill: Spread the filling evenly over the chilled crust. Tap the pan gently to even out the filling and crust layers. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours until set.
- Arrange Strawberries: Starting at the bottom long edge, place strawberry halves in horizontal stripes with pointed ends facing right. Make additional strawberry lines upward, leaving a square in the upper left corner.
- Create the Blueberry Field: Fill the reserved upper left square with blueberries arranged in lines touching each other, blossom ends facing up, to mimic the stars on the flag.
- Serve: Cut the finished flag cheesecake into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese and mascarpone are at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Use fresh, firm strawberries and blueberries for best decoration results.
- Chill the crust well before adding filling to prevent sogginess.
- This cake is best served within 1-2 days of preparation for optimal freshness.
- For a firmer crust, press mixture firmly and chill longer.
