Memorial Day Desserts

By elizabeth37 May 11, 2022 Memorial Day 0 Comments

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Star-Studded Blueberry Pie

Family and friends say this patriotic pie is better than a local favorite from one of our best neighborhood restaurants. Sometimes, I switch things up and use gooseberries for half of the blueberries. —Nancy Barker, Silverton, Oregon

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Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle

After my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive dessert in only a few minutes. It’s been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, TennesseeStart off with these Memorial Day appetizers before you dig into dessert!

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Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars

I’ve tried “light” cheesecake recipes before with mixed results. Making a few changes, I created a rich, creamy cheesecake filling that truly tastes like the real deal. —Katie Farrell, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Red, White and Blueberry Pie

This is a wonderful light dessert for a Memorial Day gathering, Fourth of July party or other summer get-together. And it’s as pretty as it is tasty. —Kimberly McFarland, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

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TASTE OF HOME

Red, White ‘n’ Blue Salad

Our striking “flag” salad drew plenty of attention at our party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin

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Grandma’s Star Cookies

My husband’s grandma would make these butter cutouts only with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana

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Berry White Ice Pops

Nothing says summer like an ice pop. Kids and adults alike love this fruit-filled version. —Sharon Guinta, Stamford, Connecticut

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Blue-Ribbon Red Velvet Cake

This two-layer beauty features a striking red interior. It calls for more cocoa than most red velvet cakes, making it extra chocolaty. Feel free to change the color of the food coloring to suit the occasion. This recipe won a blue ribbon in the holiday cake division at the 2006 Alaska State Fair. I think this cake will be a winner in your house, too! —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska

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Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries

One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine

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Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Jars

Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? These make-ahead dessert jars will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

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Blueberry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

We live in blueberry country, and this pie is a perfect way to showcase these luscious berries. A neighbor first made this pie for us when we had a death in the family several years ago. Our whole family enjoys it. —R. Ricks, Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Patriotic Pizzas

Here’s a pie-in-the-sky-idea—fruit pizzas you decorate like a high-flyin’ flag! You can decorate it with stripes for the U.S. or with a maple leaf for Canada. Both designs consist of tangy fruit and smooth cream cheese over a tender crust. Since each version is simple to make, you can quickly create either one for a summer picnic or patriotic party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Red, White and Blue Dessert

I changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it’s perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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Berry-Patch Brownie Pizza

I just love the combination of fruit, almonds and chocolate that makes this brownie so unique. The fruit lightens the chocolate a bit and makes it feel as though you are eating something sinfully healthy. —Sue Kauffman, Columbia City, Indiana

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Patriotic Frozen Delight

My husband and I pick lots of fruit at berry farms in the area and freeze it to enjoy all year long. This frozen dessert showcases both blueberries and strawberries and has a refreshing lemon flavor. —Bernice Russ, Bladenboro, North Carolina

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Blueberry Graham Dessert

When you’re short on time but long for cheesecake, try this fruity dessert. Ricotta and cream cheeses give every bit as much flavor as cheesecake without the effort. Instead of making individual servings, you could layer the ingredients in a glass serving bowl. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Star-Spangled Lemon Icebox Pie

With a little chill time, my no-bake lemon pie turns into a potluck superstar. My kids like to arrange the berries in a patriotic pattern. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia

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Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes

These frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Red Star Cookies

These super stars are plenty sweet and sturdy, making them great for shipping. Slip decorated cookies in stacks of three inside plastic storage bags then rest stacks in disposable plastic containers. Put containers in a cardboard box, then add crumpled newspaper so everything is tightly packed. Seal it with a kiss—or a card. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries

I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina

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Special Raspberry Torte

With raspberry preserves, a burst of lemon and a homemade buttercream frosting, this berry-topped cake always gets rave reviews. It’s my mom’s absolute favorite. —Lori Lee Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia

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Red, White and Blue Berry Pie

To me, this colorful pie is the epitome of summer. Bright blueberries and raspberries sandwich a cream cheese layer in the pie that’s quite festive. I can’t imagine a holiday party without this tasty treat! —Cindy Zarnstorff, Anchorage, Alaska

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Easy Berry Cheesecake Parfaits

These sweet little parfaits take everything that’s wonderful about cheesecake and make it way easier. You get the rich creaminess, graham cracker crunch and bright berry flavor all in fun individual portions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Berries & Cream Torte

It’s so easy to see why this fruity dessert always impresses dinner guests. I sometimes substitute the berries with sliced bananas.—Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta

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Favorite Coconut Cake

When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I turn to. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

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Triple Berry No-Bake Cheesecake

I’ve made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they’re usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland

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Crispy Star Pops

These patriotic pops are a hit at our annual summer parties. You can also slip them into cellophane bags, tie on ribbons and give them out as favors. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Grandma’s Strawberry Shortcake

Here’s a family-sized version of my grandma’s summertime dessert. I can still taste the sweet juicy berries she piled over warm biscuits and topped with a huge dollop of fresh whipped cream. My father added even more indulgence to his serving by first buttering his biscuits. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan

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Star-Spangled Parfaits

The best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors.—Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts

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Contest-Winning Raspberry Cream Pie

This recipe is delicious with either fresh-picked or frozen raspberries. That means you can make it year-round. One bite of raspberry pie will instantly turn winter to summer. —Julie Price, Nashville, Tennessee

Memorial Day Desserts

Okay, so the actual first day of summer is a few weeks away, but we all know Memorial Day is the real start to the season. And these Memorial Day desserts are waiting to make it official. So pull out your best sunglasses, bury some beer in an ice-filled cooler, fire up the barbecue, and get ready to cozy up to all the sweet treats you’ve ignored since last August.

We’ve got chilly ice pops and no-churn ice cream to help you beat the (forthcoming) heat, lazy day galettes that make you look like the casually chic host you want your guests to believe you to be, and a few fun cakes in case you’re planning to go big.

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Simple Strawberry Shortcakes

You can make this classic Memorial Day dessert recipe with whatever summer (that’s right, summer!) berries are calling your name.
Photographs By Laura Murray, Food Styling By Simon Andrews, Prop Styling By Sophie Strangio

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Fresh Mint and Chocolate Ice Cream

This subtly minty ice cream has a chocolate ripple running through it; but you could stir in some chopped-up Thin Mints or Andes if you prefer.

Photographs By Jenny Huang, Food Styling By Sue Li, Prop Styling By Sophie Strangio

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Ricotta Cornmeal Pound Cake

Ricotta adds a buttery richness and bit of tang to this cake, but you can substitute full-fat cottage cheese. Serve it with a dollop each of lemon curd and whipped cream.
Photo By Heidi’s Bridge

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Frozen Margarita Pie

You spent the whole cookout downing your favorite drink (stellar Memorial Day recipe choice, btw), why should you stop at dessert?! Keep the tequila flowing with this limey pie.
Photograph By Alex Lau, Food Styling By Victoria Granof, Prop Styling By Sophie Strangio

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Raspberry-Hibiscus Poke Cake

A modern take on the classic poke cake, inspired by Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea, with a marshmallow whipped cream frosting.

Photo By Alex Lau

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Rhubarb–Brown Butter Bars

Think of your favorite granola packed full of nuts and surrounding a layer of sweet-tart rhubarb jam and you’ve got these bars.
Photo By Michael Graydon And Nikole Herriott, Food Styling By Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling By Kalen Kaminski

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Any Berry Galette

Fresh strawberries? Check. Currants? Check. Eggplant? While technically it is a berry, maybe not. Any other berries you see at the farmstand though: fair game.
Eva Kolenko

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Blueberry-Lemon Icebox Cake

The more particular you are when building the layers in the loaf pan, the more neat and tidy this will look when sliced. But if it’s a little uneven and the layers blend together, so be it!