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Perfect Red White and Blue Cheesecake Parfait Trifle

red white and blue cheesecake parfait trifle - featured image
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A quick and easy patriotic dessert featuring layers of creamy cheesecake, fresh berries, and a crunchy graham cracker base, perfect for Fourth of July or any summer celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • Optional: 1 tbsp sugar or honey to macerate strawberries
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Optional garnish: fresh mint leaves
  • Optional garnish: extra berries

Instructions

  1. Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a medium bowl. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated and mixture holds together when pressed. Press about two-thirds into the bottom of a trifle bowl or divide evenly among parfait glasses. Set aside remaining crumbs for topping.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  3. In a separate chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
  4. Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula with slow, sweeping motions to keep mixture light and airy.
  5. Toss sliced strawberries with sugar or honey if desired and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate. Leave blueberries whole or slice if preferred.
  6. Assemble the parfait by layering cheesecake filling over the graham cracker crust, followed by strawberries, then blueberries, and sprinkle a thin layer of remaining graham cracker crumbs. Repeat layers until the bowl or glasses are filled.
  7. Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 hours, before serving.

Notes

Soften cream cheese to avoid lumps. Chill bowl and beaters before whipping cream. Fold whipped cream gently to keep mixture airy. Macerate strawberries for extra sweetness. Chill trifle for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture. Use gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour crust for gluten-free version. Substitute plant-based cream cheese and coconut cream for dairy-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesecake parfait, red white and blue dessert, Fourth of July dessert, patriotic dessert, berry trifle, easy summer dessert

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/perfect-red-white-and-blue-cheesecake-parfait-trifle-recipe-for-easy-fourth-of-july-dessert/