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Easy No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Flag Bars Recipe for Summer Parties

no-bake strawberry shortcake flag bars - featured image
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A nostalgic, no-bake dessert featuring creamy layers, fresh strawberries, and a buttery graham cracker crust, perfect for summer parties and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheets)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup blueberries

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs with 3 tablespoons sugar. Pour in melted butter and stir until mixture resembles wet sand. Press evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish using the bottom of a glass to compact firmly. Chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes.
  2. Make the cream cheese layer: Beat softened cream cheese with ¼ cup sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Whip the cream: In a large chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Fold the layers: Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until just combined, keeping it light and airy.
  5. Assemble: Spread the creamy filling evenly over the chilled crust and smooth the top.
  6. Create the flag design: Arrange sliced strawberries in rows to mimic stripes on one half of the bars. Place blueberries tightly together in the top left corner to form the star field.
  7. Chill again: Refrigerate the entire dish for at least 3 hours or overnight to set the layers.
  8. Serve: Slice into bars with a sharp knife, wiping the knife between cuts for clean edges. Serve chilled.

Notes

Use firm strawberries that aren’t too watery to avoid soggy crust. Chill the bowl and beaters before whipping cream for best results. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese to keep texture light. Press crust firmly to avoid crumbly bars. If strawberries release juice, pat dry before assembling. For dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free cream cheese. Gluten-free crust can be made with gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or almond flour.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake, strawberry shortcake, summer dessert, flag bars, easy dessert, patriotic dessert, party dessert

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/easy-no-bake-strawberry-shortcake-flag-bars-recipe-for-summer-parties/