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    Home » Recipes » 4th of July

    4th of July Dessert - Flag Cheesecake

    Published: Jul 1, '20 · Modified: Apr 6, '21 · By: Beth · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Create a spectacular patriotic dessert for your 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, or Veterans Day party with this Flag Cheesecake! This scrumptious dessert will not disappoint.

    4th of July Dessert Flag Cheesecake | HungryHappenings.com

    You probably figured it wouldn't take me long to make another decorated cheesecake. Everyone seemed to like the Daisy Cheesecake, and this Flag Cheesecake for the 4th of July is just one more of many designs yet to come.

    I am really in love with this idea. There are endless possibilities.

    4th of July Dessert Flag Cheesecake | HungryHappenings.com

    Creating red, white, and blue food for the 4th of July is quite fun, but I have to admit that the 4th of July is one of my least favorite holidays, not because we are celebrating our country's independence, but because of the sweltering heat and humidity that always accompanies the day.

    Being outside at a picnic on a beautiful 70-degree day is heaven, but on a 90-degree day, I'd rather stay inside in my lovely air conditioning.

    When the weather is nice, I can spend all day outside. I did just that on Saturday. I was awake with the birds, walked my dog, rode my bike, sat on the porch and checked my e-mails, did some gardening, talked to the neighbors, had dinner on the front porch, and walked the dog again.

    I wasn't terribly productive, but I didn't care. I knew that the heat and humidity were to arrive the next day and I wanted to enjoy every wonderful minute outdoors.

    Flag Cheesecake

    I'm not sure what we'll be doing for the Fourth of July, but I do know that instead of baking outside, I'll be inside enjoying a nice big slice of this cheesecake.

    4th of July Cheesecake

    Flag Cheesecake

    Ingredients:

    1 cup graham cracker crumbs (15 squares)
    pinch of cinnamon
    4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter, melted
    24 ounces (3 blocks) cream cheese, softened
    1 cup sugar
    3 large eggs
    1 cup sour cream
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
    food coloring - red and blue

    Supplies:

    9-inch springform pan or PushPan*

    roasting pan or round pan that is large enough to hold the springform pan

    The PushPan by Kuhn Rikon is a fantastic pan. The outer ring does not clip open and closed, instead, the bottom plate pushes up and out of the ring. It has a silicone gasket around the bottom which not only holds it in place but miraculously keeps the water out. Another great feature it the plate is flat, no lip means it's easier to remove the cheesecake.

     

    Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

    Instructions:

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Combine graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, and melted butter.
    • Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the PushPan or spring-form pan.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges begin to brown. Allow the crust to cool for at least 10 minutes.

     

    Roasting Pan with Flat Rack

    I suggest you bake the cheesecake in a water bath so that it has a smooth and creamy texture and won't crack.

    You can either bring a large pot of water to a boil and pour it in the pan after you add the cheesecake, or you can fill your pan now with enough hot water so that it will come ½ way up the sides of your springform pan. Place that in the hot oven until ready to bake the cheesecake.

    A flat rack inside the roasting pan makes it easy to remove the baked cheesecake.

    Tyler's Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe

    • Beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the beater as needed.
    • Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
    • Add eggs one at a time and beat until creamy.
    • Add sour cream and vanilla and beat until combined.

    Coloring Cheesecake Batter

    • Pour ⅓ cup of cheesecake batter into a small bowl.
    • Color it red.
    • Pour 2 tablespoons of batter into another bowl and color it blue.

    Decorated Cheesecake

    • Pour the colored batter into a squeeze bottle (or use a pastry bag or zip-top bag.)
    • Create the corner of the flag using blue. You can add small little stars or one big star.

    Decorated Cheesecake

    • Pipe red stripes across the cheesecake.

    Bake Flag Cheesecake in a Water Bath

    • Bake in a water bath for 45-50 minutes until the top looks set.
    • The center of the cake will jiggle but not look wet.
    • If you think it might not be quite ready but are worried you will over-bake it, you can open the oven door, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the water bath for a while.
    • I've done this a few times and it works great. I've never had an over-baked cheesecake.

    Flag Cheesecake for the 4th of July

    • Allow the cheesecake to cool for one hour at room temperature then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

    Fourth of July Flag Cheesecake

    • If you use a PushPan, you'll need to set the cake on a tall round container, push down on the metal ring, removing it from around the cake.

    Items used to create this project are available on Amazon.com (commission earned for sales).

       

    Recipe

    Originally published on June 16, 2014

    American flag cheesecake with a slice cut out.
    Print
    Flag Cheesecake
    Prep Time
    40 mins
    Cook Time
    45 mins
     

    Decorate the top of a delicious cheesecake with a red, white, and blue flag for your 4th of July or Americana celebration.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: 4th of july dessert, cheesecake
    Servings: 12
    Author: Beth
    Ingredients
    • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (from 15 squares)
    • 1 pinch cinnamon
    • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
    • 24 ounces (3 blocks) cream cheese, softened
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
    • food coloring - red and blue
    Instructions
    1. Set your ingredients on your counter (at room temperature) for at least 1 hour so the ingredients come to room temperature.

    2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

    3. Combine graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, and melted butter.
    4. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the PushPan or spring-form pan.
    5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool completely.
    6. Beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the beater as needed.
    7. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
    8. Add eggs one at a time and beat until creamy.
    9. Add sour cream and vanilla and beat until combined.
    10. Pour ⅓ cup of cheesecake batter into a small bowl.
    11. Color it red.
    12. Pour 2 tablespoons of batter into another bowl and color it blue.
    13. Pour the colored batter into a squeeze bottle (or use a pastry bag or zip-top bag.)
    14. Create the corner of the flag using blue. You can add small little stars or one big star.
    15. Pipe red stripes across the cheesecake.
    16. Bake in a water bath for 45-50 minutes until the top looks set.
    17. The center of the cake will jiggle but not look wet.
    18. If you think it might not be quite ready but are worried you will over bake it, you can open the oven door, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the water bath for a while.
    19. Allow the cheesecake to cool for one hour at room temperature then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

    More 4th of July Dessert Ideas
    from Hungry Happenings

    Red, White and Blue Tie-Dye Cake | HungryHappenings.com

    4th of July - Red, White and Blue Tie-Dye Cake

    Sugar Coated Marshmallow Flags | HungryHappenings.com

    Sugar Coated Marshmallow Flags

    4th of July Desserts

    4th of July Fruit Pizza

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    Uncle Sam Nutter Butters

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    Sprinkles Will Fly 4th of July Cupcakes

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    Patriotic Pops - Rice Krispies Treat Stars

    Fourth of July Dessert Ideas

    Red, White and Blue Fudge Stars

     

    If you're looking for other 4th of July Recipes, click the link and explore all my other Independence Day-inspired food.

     

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth
    Beth
    Hi, I'm Beth Jackson Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth
    Latest posts by Beth (see all)
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    1. Karly Campbell

      June 29, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      So creative! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

      Reply
    2. Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com

      June 20, 2014 at 12:27 am

      This is so fun Beth!

      Reply
    3. Nensi

      June 18, 2014 at 8:09 am

      in reality that's liberian flag (with just one star) not american lol

      Reply
      • beth

        June 18, 2014 at 10:58 am

        I knew I wasn't accurate, one star was just easier than lots of little ones. I did not, however know it was the Liberian flag.

        Reply
    4. Lindsay Ann

      June 18, 2014 at 4:13 am

      I can't believe you drew that flag free hand!! Gorgeous!! And not to mention it looks so creamy, dreamy and delish!

      Reply
      • beth

        June 18, 2014 at 11:17 am

        Thanks, Liindsay Ann. I wish I were a better artists, then the tops of my cheesecakes would be really amazing. I can do simple drawings and the hardest thing about this flag was getting straight lines.

        Reply
    5. Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff

      June 17, 2014 at 2:46 pm

      Beautiful cheesecake! I agree with you about the weather ... air conditioning is a wonderful invention! I have an 11 year old niece visiting from Tennessee ... keeps asking for cheesecake ... you gave me an idea ... perfect for the July 4th family barbeque 🙂

      Reply
    6. Kelli Davidson

      June 17, 2014 at 8:11 am

      It's beautiful just like the daisy one!

      Reply
    7. Natalie Hoffman

      June 17, 2014 at 6:10 am

      Does the colored portion of the cake change color at all? Does the surface of a cheescake usually get browned or does it stay white?

      Reply
      • beth

        June 17, 2014 at 11:30 am

        If you bake the cheesecake in a waterbath the change in surface color is minimal. It will brown just slightly, which deepens or darkens the color a bit. The plain cheesecake is off white. If you want a really true white you can add some white food coloring. I find that if I use plain old store bought eggs the batter is less yellow. If I use good organic eggs, then the yolks are really vibrant orange and the batter is more yellow. So for this cake I used regular eggs.

        Reply
        • Pamela

          May 29, 2022 at 1:20 pm

          That’s a helpful tip!

          Reply
    8. Sue

      June 17, 2014 at 2:54 am

      It looks so fabulous, and the colors are so vivid! I MUST give this a try!

      Reply
    9. June

      June 16, 2014 at 12:33 pm

      What a great idea! It looks very impressive, but sounds like it is actually pretty easy! Great idea! 🙂

      Reply
      • beth

        June 16, 2014 at 1:29 pm

        Thanks, June. If you can draw even the simplest design, you can make a decorated cheesecake. They are so much fun!

        Reply
    10. The Partiologist

      June 16, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      What a gorgeous cheesecake - sure to be the center of attention at any 4th of July party! And, would you believe I've never baked a cheesecake in a water bath?? 🙂

      Reply
      • beth

        June 16, 2014 at 1:30 pm

        Thanks, Kim. You must try baking your cheesecake in a water bath. The texture of the baked cheesecake is so smooth and creamy and the top will not crack. It's a bit of effort, but it is so worth it.

        Reply

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    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

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