The Fourth of July is an underrated holiday in the food department. Pinterest pages abound with red, white and blue desserts, often Jell-O or cake-based. A no-bake, simple dessert is especially crucial for a holiday spent outdoors that kicks off early in the morning, especially if you forgot about that one party you’re supposed to bring patriotic food or drink. Whether you’re poolside, at a parade or picnicking before fireworks, whip up then pack up these fluffy cheesecake parfaits, spangled with red and blue, to celebrate America’s liberty.

Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes assembly
Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Cheesecake partfait

Photo by Katherine Richter

Ingredients:
1 package of Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¾ cup Cool Whip Lite topping
8 shortbread cookies, crushed
2 cups sliced strawberries
½ cup blueberries

Directions:
1. Add cream cheese, sugar, milk and lemon juice into a medium bowl.

Cheesecake partfait

Photo by Katherine Richter

2. Mix ingredients until blended.

Cheesecake partfait

Photo by Katherine Richter

3. Stir in ¾ cup of Cool Whip to even out the cream cheese mixture.

Cheesecake partfait

Photo by Katherine Richter

4. Spoon cookie crumbs to create a bottom layer. Top with cream cheese mixture.

Cheesecake partfait

Photo by Katherine Richter

5. Cover the existing layer with strawberries, remaining cookie crumbs, cream cheese mixture and blueberries.

Cheesecake partfait

Photo by Katherine Richter

Cheesecake partfait

Photo by Katherine Richter

Need more Fourth of July recipes? Here are recipes handpicked from our guide: