I’m sure you’ve noticed, but the 4th of July is fast approaching. One of my favorite parts of the 4th is having a pool party with family, which always includes a cookout with lots of delicious food – and of course dessert. Since I have the biggest sweet tooth of anyone in my family (plus, let’s be honest, I’m not much of a cook) the 4th of July Dessert table usually falls to me. And let’s be honest – that’s a big responsibility – it can almost feel like the success of the 4th rests on your shoulders. Or you know, something like that.
Anyway, if you’re responsible for dessert this year, and you’re anything like me you’re probably frantically googling “4th of July desserts” trying to find something that is simple, delicious, and will feed a crowd. Lucky thing you ended up here, then, because I’ve created this red, white, and blue 4th of July shortcake that is nothing short of delicious, inexpensive, and simple to make. Score!
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Interested? Here’s what you’ll need – I grabbed all of my supplies at Walmart in about 5 minutes flat:
- 1 family size Sara Lee poundcake, defrosted
- 2 tubs of frozen whipped topping, mostly thawed (I used Cool Whip and then forgot to put it in the photo)
- 2 8oz packages of cream cheese
- 2 cups Confectioners sugar
- A star shaped cookie cutter
- Red and blue fruit – I used strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries
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To begin, unwrap the two packages of cream cheese and soften them in a medium-sized mixing bowl in the microwave. To soften, heat for 30 seconds at half power. Remove from the microwave and add 2 cups of confectioners sugar, beat together until smooth. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the two tubs of whipped topping until well-blended. I put mine in an icing bag for better control, but you can use a gallon sized Ziploc bag and snip off the end, or just spoon it in.
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Next, take the poundcake and slice it in thirds, lengthwise so you have 3 equal pieces.
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Using your star cookie cutter, make as many poundcake stars as you possibly can, and set aside. Don’t throw away the scraps of the poundcake – you can use them as filler!
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Next, slice and prepare your fruit.
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Begin filling the bowl – poundcake scraps at the bottom first, followed by a little of the cream cheese mixture, with strawberries and blueberries strategically placed against the glass. You won’t see the scraps of the poundcake once the bowl is filled, so don’t stress over how it looks right now – just get it all in there!
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Now it’s time to place the stars around the outside of the bowl. Once you’ve done that, fill in the space in the middle with fruit, the cream cheese mixture, and any additional stars that you have cutout, unless you think you’ll have room to do a second row (I didn’t).
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Keep adding the berries, poundcake, and cream cheese mixture to your liking until you’ve reached the top. Cover the entire dish with the cream cheese mixture and decorate with remaining berries. Refrigerate until an hour before serving – allow it to warm up just a bit for the best taste (plus, you’ll want to have this out on display anyway). Spoon onto plates and eat. I dare you not to go back for seconds!
Voila! The perfect 4th of July dessert!
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as a part of my participation in the Walmart Moms. Opinions, recipe, photos, etc. are my own.
delicious
This is super cute! What a great idea! :)
Oh Wow.. that looks way to cute to eat. But, I bet it is very delicious. Mmmmmmm
This is gorgeous! I don’t care if the 4th is over – I may have to make this anyway :)
I am making this today! Wish me luck.
This looks great! I’m going to make this tomorrow for our 4th of July family party! Now all I need is to find a nice bowl!
ooh yummmmm!
Might have to try this!
Yummy! Yummy!I want it!
Oh yes please!
This is a really cute idea!!
that is so cool! I love it!
This looks so good and so easy too!
This is so super cute!
Looks incredible! And, I agree with Brandy, the kids will go wild over this. Kudos!
Yummy!
Easy, festive, and looks absolutely amazing! Will definitely have to try this.
Oh my this looks amazing, will have to try this for the fourth!
What a cute idea!
This looks great, very patriotic!
Oh, I love this! It’s such a nice change from the usual flag cake that everyone serves. And much cuter, but don’t tell my mom I said that. :)
This recipe looks neat. I think I’m going to take this to someone’s house for July 4 activities.
thanks
I’m totally making this! Thanks!!
That’s so festive and looks delicious!
OH! Yummy!! Looks amazing!
That is almost too pretty to eat.
Almost!
Now this is certainly something I would try to make with the kids. Love that it’s festive but oh so yummy looking too!
I want that!
That looks wonderful!! So Colorful!
Love this! So pretty, festive, and delicious!