Description

Want a dessert that’s as dazzling as a 4th of July flag and takes just minutes to make? This Easy Flag Fruit Dessert is the perfect choice! With juicy strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and creamy yogurt or white chocolate pretzels, it’s a no-bake, healthy treat that looks like the American flag.

Ingredients

Scale

A batch of Easy Flag Fruit Dessert needs just a few simple ingredients for a large tray (serves 10-12). Here’s what you’ll need:

Red Stripes:
- 5-6 cups red fresh fruit (cherries, strawberries, raspberries)
- Why it matters: Red fruits create the flag’s red stripes, adding sweet and tart flavors.
- Substitutions: Use watermelon, red grapes, or cranberries. Frozen fruit (thawed and drained) works in a pinch, but fresh is best.
Blue Field:
- 2 cups blueberries
- Why it matters: Blueberries form the flag’s blue star field, offering a juicy, antioxidant-rich bite.
- Substitutions: Use blackberries or blue grapes cut in half. Blueberries give the most authentic flag look.
White Stripes:
- 3 cups yogurt (plain or vanilla) or white chocolate-covered pretzels
- Why it matters: Yogurt or pretzels create the flag’s white stripes, adding creaminess or crunch.
- Substitutions: Use Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or sliced bananas for white stripes. Mini marshmallows or white chocolate chips work for a sweeter option.

Tip: Choose ripe, fresh fruit for vibrant colors and flavor. Use plain or vanilla yogurt for a healthier option, or white chocolate pretzels for a sweet crunch. Wash and dry fruit thoroughly to prevent sogginess.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Fruit

Wash 5-6 cups of red fruit (cherries, strawberries, raspberries) and 2 cups of blueberries under cold water.
Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to prevent excess moisture.
Pit cherries and remove stems if needed. Hull and slice strawberries into halves or quarters. Keep raspberries whole.
- Tip: Dry fruit well to keep the dessert neat. Use a cherry pitter for quick prep. Slice strawberries evenly for a uniform look.

Step 2: Prep the White Component

If using yogurt, scoop 3 cups into a bowl and stir until smooth. If using vanilla yogurt, no extra prep is needed.
If using white chocolate-covered pretzels, ensure you have 3 cups ready (no crushing needed).
- Tip: Chill yogurt until ready to use for a firmer texture. Check pretzels for freshness to ensure crunch.

Step 3: Plan the Flag Layout

Choose a large rectangular tray or platter (about 12×18 inches) to represent the flag.
Mentally divide the tray into sections: a small rectangle (about 4×6 inches) in the top left corner for the blue field, and horizontal stripes across the rest for red and white.
- Tip: Use a tray with a slight lip to contain yogurt if using. A white or clear tray makes colors pop.

Step 4: Assemble the Flag

Place a small bowl or square container (about 4×4 inches) in the top left corner of the tray and fill with 2 cups blueberries to form the blue star field.
Arrange red fruit (cherries, strawberries, raspberries) in horizontal rows to form the red stripes. Start with a red stripe at the top (below the blueberries) and alternate with white.
For white stripes, spoon yogurt in thin, even rows between red fruit stripes, or arrange white chocolate-covered pretzels in neat rows.
Continue alternating red and white stripes to fill the tray, aiming for 7 red and 6 white stripes to mimic the American flag (or adjust based on tray size).
- Tip: Mix red fruits (e.g., cherries on one stripe, strawberries on another) for variety. Use a spatula to spread yogurt smoothly or pipe it for precision.

Step 5: Serve

Serve immediately for the freshest look and taste, or chill for up to 1 hour if needed.
Provide spoons or forks for easy serving, especially if using yogurt.
- Tip: Add small star-shaped sprinkles over the blueberries or a few extra pretzels on the side for a festive touch.