🎆 Strawberry & Cream Pie with a Patriotic Twist 🎇

An easy, dreamy, slightly "cheaty" dessert perfect for the 4th of July!

Let me set the scene: It was last year and It’s the night before the 4th of July.

Fireworks are prepped. The grill is cleaned. You're already dreaming of juicy burgers and buttery corn on the cob.

But then—bam!—you realize… you were supposed to bring dessert. And not just any dessert. Something festive. Something fabulous. Something red, white, and blue.

Cue this magical, creamy, berry-loaded pie that came to my rescue—and now, hopefully, yours too.

It’s based on a classic Paula Deen recipe, but with a little twist that made it totally mine. And the best part? It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s a total showstopper.

🥧 The Ingredients

Here's what you'll need:

• 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

• 1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temp

• 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar

• 1 cup of frozen whipped topping (hello, Cool Whip!)

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar

• 1 prepared pie crust of your choice (I won’t tell if it’s store-bought—mine was!)

• 1 pint of fresh strawberries, halved

• Blueberries for that red, white & blue flair (optional—but highly recommended)

• Some Crushed Grahm Crackers, or Vanella Wafers to drizzle over the top.

  
  

👩‍🍳 How to Make It (a.k.a. How I Saved the Party)

Step 1: Whip It Real Good

In a big ol’ bowl, mix together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. A hand mixer works wonders here (your arms will thank you).

Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and that glorious frozen whipped topping. Beat until everything is light, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible (yes, you’re allowed to taste test at this stage).

Step 2: Fill That Pie

Spread the creamy mixture into your prepared pie crust. Smooth the top like you're frosting a cake. Then pop it in the fridge to chill for a bit. Trust me—this helps it firm up and makes the layering magic easier later.

Step 3: Berry Fancy

Once the filling has set, it’s time for the berries to shine.

Take your halved strawberries and arrange them pointy side out, all around the edge of the pie in a circle. Like little red gems. This is where you’ll feel like a dessert artist.

Next, gently layer whipped topping over the strawberries—but let the tips peek through the edges (yes, we’re fancy like that). Then, add another layer of halved strawberries on top.

Repeat the whipped topping + strawberry layering until you’ve used up all your strawberries and the top looks like a beautiful, creamy berry crown.

Step 4: Bring the Boom with Blueberries 💙

For that ultimate 4th of July touch, sprinkle fresh blueberries across the top and around the edge. You now have a dessert that’s red, white, blue—and totally drool-worthy. Then sprinkle some crumbled Graham Crackers of Wafers of your choice over the top.

🔧 PRO-Tip: The No-Fail Way to Remove Pie from Foil Like a Pro

You’ve layered your berries. The whipped cream is picture-perfect. Your pie is ready for its close-up... and then—you realize you're serving it in a shiny foil pan.

Yikes.

Here’s a last-minute lifesaver that’ll save your presentation and your sanity:

🎯 The Trick: Grab a spatula and a pair of scissors. Snip the foil pan on two opposite sides—just like you're cutting a slice of pie. Gently fold the cut edges down, and voilà! You've created a flap.

Slide your spatula underneath the pie, lift carefully and slid, and transfer it to a proper plate or cake stand. No cracking, no crumbling, no foil drama.

💡 Why it works: It gives your spatula room to slide in smoothly without warping the crust or squishing your masterpiece.

Now your Strawberry & Cream Pie isn’t just delicious—it looks like it came straight from a bakery case.

🎉 Final Thoughts from a Last-Minute Dessert Hero

I’m usually the “everything from scratch” type. But when life throws you a last-minute dessert assignment? You cheat smart—and make something everyone will rave about.

This pie was an instant hit. Creamy, fruity, patriotic, and gone before the fireworks even started.

Whether you're in a pinch or just want a no-fuss treat that looks like a million bucks, this is your go-to.

Happy 4th, and may your pie be as epic as your fireworks! ✨