American Flag Fruit Pizza (Easy Patriotic Dessert for 4th of July Celebrations)
This American Flag Fruit Pizza is a patriotic showstopper for your 4th of July celebration! Featuring a buttery sugar cookie crust, creamy vanilla frosting, and fresh red and blue berries arranged like the American flag—it’s easy to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for cookouts and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough 16.5 oz
For the creamy layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the flag topping:
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries
- Optional: whipped topping or fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Bake the crustPreheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out your sugar cookie dough onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet to form a large rectangle or circle. Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
- Make the creamy layerIn a bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the flagSpread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled cookie crust. In the top left corner, arrange blueberries in a rectangular patch to resemble the star field. Then place rows of strawberry slices to mimic the stripes.
- Chill and serveCover loosely and chill for at least 1 hour before slicing. Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
Secret Tips for American Flag Fruit Pizza
- Freeze the Cookie Crust for Clean Slices: After baking and cooling the sugar cookie crust, pop it in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before spreading the cream cheese layer. This firms up the base, making it easier to spread the frosting without crumbs and ensures cleaner cuts when serving.
- Use Stabilized Whipped Cream for Humid Days: If you're skipping cream cheese and using whipped cream instead, mix it with a tablespoon of instant pudding mix or powdered gelatin. It holds up longer in heat—especially helpful for poolside potlucks or outdoor BBQs.
- Layer a Barrier Between the Frosting and Fruit: To avoid a soggy top, lightly sprinkle shredded coconut or even a thin layer of melted white chocolate between the cream cheese and fruit. It adds flavor and protects the base.
- Pre-slice Fruit and Store Separately: Slice your bananas and strawberries ahead of time, and store them on a paper towel in an airtight container. This absorbs moisture and keeps them looking fresh when you assemble your patriotic fruit pizza.
- Prevent Banana Browning Naturally: Toss banana slices in a little lemon juice or pineapple juice to slow down oxidation. It preserves the “white” stripes of your flag design without altering the flavor too much.
- Arrange the Fruit Backward (Right to Left): Start placing your fruit stripes from the right side first—especially if you're decorating with kids. This gives you room to adjust the spacing before hitting the blue star field.
- Use a Ruler or Skewer to Mark the Flag Grid: Want perfectly even fruit rows? Lightly press a ruler or the edge of a skewer into the frosting to map out where each stripe and star section goes. No guesswork needed!