Are all my American readers ready for the 4th of July? The other day, I made an American flag fruit tart for Mr. Handsome’s coworkers, and they loved it. It’s a fairly simple recipe that consists of a basic sugar cookie cake covered in cream cheese frosting and topped with strawberries and blueberries.
If you’re still looking for a dessert for Independence Day, scroll down for the recipe and time-lapse video.
The good news is that while it’s certainly not a “healthy” dessert, it is lower in sugar than many alternatives. If you live in another country, you can feel free to follow the recipe without the American flag design. You can even experiment with different fruits.
American Flag Fruit Tart
Ingredients
Cookie Cake
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg (and 1 egg yolk)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups white all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
Topping
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tsp milk
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Fresh blueberries
Instructions
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Whisk softened butter until creamy (1-2 minutes). You can use an electric mixer if you prefer.
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Add sugar, and whisk until light and airy (1-2 minutes).
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Add vanilla and egg, and whisk until fully mixed in (30 seconds-1 minute).
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In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients.
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Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until fully combined. Start with a whisk, and switch to a spoon as the dough becomes thicker.
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Press dough into greased 13x9 inch pan. Make sure dough is spread out evenly.
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Bake 20-25 minutes at 350F. When the edges and/or top begin to lightly brown, the cake is ready. Be sure not to over bake, as cookie will become dried out. We want it to be soft.
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Allow cake to cool completely. If you can't add the topping as soon as it cools, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap until you are able to work on it (no more than one day later).
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Using a fork, whip the cream cheese, milk, and powdered sugar until smooth (1-2 minutes). Use a spatula and knife to spread evenly over cookie cake. Add strawberries and blueberries.
It was very good of you to make such a fun and delicious cake for all of the hard workers at Mr Handsome’s workplace. What a day maker!
Looks like somebody likes Pinterest! The header on your Dugger blog is very blurry. It hurts my eyes each time it comes up. When you redo it for Jinger’s baby please make it sharp and clear. Thanks!
Ah, we made this about 22 years ago. My oldest children were 8 and 13 and both wanted their own cake so we actually had two! They were fun for the kids to make and even more fun to eat.
This is inspiring (my vote)! I feel guilty because I am going over to visit my son today and I should be ready to wow him with a gift like this! I know he would love it. But that would mean going to the store to get ALL the ingredients and it is not payday yet….time to start planning ahead for another time. Thanks for the ideas on how to surprise people Ellie!
Why would you try to turn the most patriotic and respected symbol of the United States into something to eat? I find your interpretation of the flag with berries and frosting to be too literal and therefore dishonorable.
It was just July first in Canada and Tim Horten’s created a special donut for the day….it was an iced long john that was red on the end sides and had a red candy maple leaf in the middle, so it looked just like the Canadian flag. I was in Tims yesterday (July 4) and those were still being made fresh and on sale there. I think it is obvious that doing fun, creative stuff like this to share around is a big part of the happy days celebrations. This is more than just OK, it is what we call ‘traditional’ now! We often even expect some kinds of fun foods to add fun and appetite satisfaction to every’body’ honouring/honoring the countries for a day, or days!
Just because something IS done doesn’t mean it SHOULD be done. There are plenty of examples of this in life.
YYou are very rude to say that. Everybody makes something like that for the fourth of July.
Thank You for this American Flag fruit. Have a great July 4th. God Bless America.
HAPPY 4th of JULY
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
You were born in Canada, right? Are you a Canadian citizen or an American citizen? Are your parents American?
I’m not a fan of “flag food.” I was taught that the flag was not something you wore or used as linens, and I wouldn’t eat it either. I’ve sewn quilts for veterans through a national organization. We’re not supposed to make quilts that look like the flag. Red white and blue colors are OK but something that tries to look like an actual flag isn’t. Maybe next time you can sprinkle the fruit around in a different pattern so people don’t get offended. I’m guessing you meant well but didn’t realize what you were doing.
Ummm when I think about this I see that a quilt etc. could actually be flown, but we just eat up a cake. Maybe this is over extending the application of a good reason for not doing something in a certain instance. If there is a special day, fire works, picnics and all, why not decorate a cake like the flag? Cause it excites the flag police and we would not want to do that?
Poster at 3:02, maybe you should review the American Legion’s rules of flag etiquette to understand that there really are standards of conduct that should be used with the nation’s flag. This section in particular applies here:
“The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.”
@3:02 Aren’t you aware that there certainly are flag rules in the US? It’s Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code, with penalties established in Title 18 of the same code. Do you know what era it was drafted, who helped draft it, and when it became law? You should look it up. It’s a great civics lesson for all Americans.
Love the American Flag fruit, it’s nice to be patriotic. When I get around to make this, I think I will use a 9×9 pan and whip up half the recipe. It will be for my hubby and I…Jane