If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat, this Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Imagine a soft, golden sugar cookie base layered with a tangy-sweet cream cheese mixture, all topped with vibrant reds and blues of fresh raspberries and blueberries. This festive dessert is perfect for any summer gathering, patriotic holiday, or whenever you want to add a slice of fun and flavor to your day. It’s not just visually stunning but bursting with fresh, creamy, and fruity goodness in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of simple yet essential ingredients is all you need to bring this Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe to life. Each item plays its role perfectly, from the soft, buttery sweetness of the sugar cookie dough to the luscious cream cheese topping that balances the fresh berries’ juicy punch.
- Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough (16.5 oz): Provides a soft, buttery crust that acts as the perfect base for the topping.
- Cream Cheese (8 oz), softened: Adds a dreamy, tangy richness that complements the sweetness of the cookie dough.
- Sugar (2/3 cup): Sweetens the cream cheese mixture just right without overpowering the berries.
- Vanilla (1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and depth to the cream cheese filling.
- Whipped Topping (8 oz), thawed: Lightens up the cream cheese mixture for a fluffy, approachable creaminess.
- Fresh Raspberries (12 oz or 3 to 4 cups): Bursting with bright red color and tart flavor that makes the flag pop.
- Fresh Blueberries (1 dry pint or about 2 cups): Adds a juicy, sweet contrast and rich blue hue that completes the flag design.
How to Make Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cookie Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure it’s ready to evenly bake your cookie base. Open the tube of refrigerated sugar cookie dough and slice it into 1/4-inch pieces. Arrange these slices on a lightly greased 12-inch pizza pan, pressing them together to form an even, flat layer that will hold your toppings beautifully. Bake for about 11 to 12 minutes, just until the edges turn a lovely light golden brown. Then, let it cool completely—this is essential for the cream cheese topping to set properly without melting.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Filling
While the crust cools, grab a mixing bowl and beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until you’re looking at a smooth, creamy blend with no lumps. Next, fold in half of your whipped topping gently but thoroughly to lighten the mixture. Carefully fold in the remaining whipped topping, taking care to keep it airy and fluffy. This luscious, creamy layer will be the “white” in your flag and add a dreamy texture contrast to the crisp cookie.
Step 3: Assemble Your Flag
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled cookie crust with a spatula, smoothing out the surface. Begin the fun part by arranging the fresh raspberries along the edge and across the surface to form the red stripes of the flag. Then, carefully place the blueberries in a neat rectangle in the top left corner to create the blue “union” part of the flag dotted with those luscious berries. Feel free to arrange them tightly together for the most striking visual effect.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Pop the assembled pizza into the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour. This chilling step lets all the flavors meld beautifully and sets the creamy layer firm so every slice will hold its shape when cut. After chilling, it’s ready to slice into flag-shaped wedges and serve your patriotic masterpiece with pride!
How to Serve Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe, consider sprinkling a light dusting of powdered sugar before serving for a subtle snowy effect. Fresh mint leaves placed delicately around the edges add a pop of green and a refreshing aroma. A drizzle of honey or a few dollops of extra whipped topping can add indulgence if you’re feeling extra festive.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs delightfully with a simple, crisp salad like arugula with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness. For a more indulgent pairing, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a tall glass of freshly squeezed lemonade perfectly complements the fruity flavors while keeping things light and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party twist, cut the flag pizza into bite-sized squares and serve them on a festive platter with miniature American flags as toothpick toppers. You might also arrange the berries in different patterns like hearts or stars for other celebrations, making this recipe versatile and fun. Wrapping slices individually for picnic or potluck sharing adds a delightful surprise for guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from the Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep the crust from drying out. They will stay fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Freezing
While this dessert tastes best fresh, you can freeze the unbaked cookie crust separately for up to one month. Freeze assembled and topped pizza is not recommended as the berries and cream cheese texture may degrade upon thawing.
Reheating
This dessert is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If desired, you can warm leftover crust slices slightly in the oven before adding fresh toppings for another round of fun, but avoid reheating the assembled pizza to preserve its creamy, fresh topping texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen berries for this recipe?
Fresh berries are best for this Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe because frozen berries can release extra moisture and make the topping soggy. If necessary, thaw and drain frozen berries well before use.
What can I substitute for whipped topping?
You can replace whipped topping with freshly whipped heavy cream or a non-dairy whipped topping to suit dietary preferences, keeping in mind texture and sweetness adjustments.
How far in advance can I prepare this dessert?
You can prepare the crust and cream cheese layer a day ahead, storing them separately, and assemble with berries just before serving for the freshest look and taste.
Is this dessert suitable for kids?
Absolutely! Kids love the fun flag design and the sweet, creamy flavors. It’s a great way to get them involved in the kitchen, too.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, you’ll need to use a gluten-free sugar cookie dough base and verify all other ingredients, especially any whipped toppings, are gluten-free certified.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough that you try this Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe for your next celebration or just a fun weekend treat. It’s simple to put together, pleasing to the eye, and absolutely delicious. Once you see how easy and joyful it is to make, this dessert will surely become a beloved favorite you’ll want to share again and again!
Print
Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Description
This Red, White, and Blueberry Flag Pizza is a festive and colorful dessert perfect for summer celebrations and patriotic holidays. Featuring a sweet sugar cookie crust topped with a creamy vanilla cream cheese layer and fresh raspberries and blueberries arranged to mimic the American flag, this no-fuss recipe is sure to impress guests with its refreshing flavors and eye-catching presentation.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 tube Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough (16.5 oz)
Filling
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 8 oz Whipped Topping, thawed
Toppings
- 12 oz Fresh Raspberries (3 to 4 cups)
- 1 dry pint Fresh Blueberries (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare crust: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Open the tube of refrigerated sugar cookie dough and slice it into 1/4 inch thick pieces. Arrange the cookie dough slices evenly on a lightly greased 12-inch pizza pan and press them together to form a uniform crust layer.
- Bake the crust: Bake the assembled cookie crust in the preheated oven for 11-12 minutes or until it is lightly browned around the edges. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Incorporate whipped topping: Beat in half of the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture to lighten the texture. Then gently fold in the remaining whipped topping until the filling is evenly combined and fluffy.
- Assemble the flag pizza: Spread the cream cheese and whipped topping mixture evenly over the cooled cookie crust. Next, arrange the fresh raspberries and blueberries on top in the pattern of the American flag, with blueberries clustered in the top left corner and raspberries forming the stripes.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the assembled flag pizza for at least 30 minutes to allow the filling to set before slicing and serving. Enjoy this refreshing patriotic dessert at your next gathering!
Notes
- Ensure the cookie crust is fully cooled before adding the cream cheese filling to prevent melting.
- Fresh berries work best for presentation and flavor; avoid using frozen berries as they release too much moisture.
- For a firmer filling, you can add a bit of powdered sugar to stabilize the cream cheese mixture.
- This dessert is best served chilled and is perfect for making ahead of time.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with other berries or fruits to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
