Berry Cream Cheese Dessert

This dessert was created for our annual Fourth of July backyard BBQ. The berries on cream cheese create the perfect red, white, and blue color palette. This dessert has become so popular at our house that we no longer call it our Fourth of July dessert, it is now our go-to,  every chance we get dessert.  With its sugar cookie crust, cream cheese filling, and mounds of fresh berries you will soon see why we have such an addiction…

 

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups room temperature butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. salt

4 (8 oz.) pkg. room temperature cream cheese

2 cups powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. vanilla

2 (8 oz.) pkg. Cool Whip (fresh whipped cream can be used)

4 lbs. mixed berries cleaned and dried

Instructions:

1. Combine room temperature butter, flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a stand mixer.
2. Mix with the paddle attachment on medium-low until well combined.
3. Press in the bottom of a 9×13 pan.
4. Bake in oven preheated to 350° for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
5. Remove crust from oven and cool completely.
6. Beat cream cheese on medium speed with the paddle attachment until cream cheese is completely smooth.
7. Add vanilla and mix until creamy.
8. Slowly incorporate powdered sugar on low speed until fully incorporated.
9. Remove bowl from stand mixer and fold in Cool Whip or whipped cream by hand. Do not over-mix as this will break down the fluffy texture.
10. When the crust is fully cooled pour cream cheese mixture over crust and smooth with a spatula.
11. Clean and dry fresh berries according to taste. If using strawberries slice or quarter.
12. When berries are completely dry place evenly on top of the cream cheese layer.
13. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Tips:

• When making this dessert for an outdoor event I use Cool Whip as it holds up nicely with the sun and heat of summer. If I am making the dessert to be served indoors I use fresh whipped cream for extra creamy flavor.