Red White and Blue Trifle: 2 Recipes for Fourth of July

I'm a big fan of Trifle. It's easy and pretty. You can add alcohol or not, but traditional trifles include it. I love a tipsy trifle! I always use a clear bowl.. It's great to see the layers. Here are two Trifle recipes that are delicious and great Fourth of July show stoppers.

The first recipe is and old one (tried and true) from Taste of Home, one of my go-to recipe sites. I love the flavors in this one. Interestingly, it doesn't include cake, but you can always add a layer of pound cake or angel cake if you want to be more traditional. Trifles are so flexible.

You can decorate the top of either trifle with a flag pattern made of strawberries and blueberries and whipped cream.

The second recipe for Red White and Blue Trifle is adapted from All Recipes. It has the added flavor of white chocolate pudding. For the second recipe, you can make your own pound cake or buy prepared. The original recipe called for a small amount of coconut liqueur in the whipped cream/pudding. If you want to add alcohol, I would add a Tbsp of White Chocolate Liqueur to the whipping cream, instead.

1. RED WHITE AND BLUE TRIFLE 

Ingredients
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract  (or white chocolate liqueur)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract  (or almond liqueur)
2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
2 quarts strawberries, halved, divided
2 quarts blueberries, divided

Directions
In large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and extracts until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream.
Place third of  mixture in a 4-qt. bowl.
Reserve 20 strawberry halves and 1/2 cup blueberries for garnish.
Layer half of remaining strawberries and blueberries over cream mixture.
Top with another third of the cream mixture and the remaining berries.
Spread remaining cream mixture on top. Use reserved strawberries and blueberries to make a "flag" on top.

2. Red White and Blue Trifle

Ingredients
3 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup white sugar
1 quart heavy cream
1 (3.3 ounce) package instant white chocolate pudding mix
1 (6 ounce) container lemon yogurt
2 (16 ounce) prepared pound cakes, cubed
2 pints fresh blueberries,

Directions 
In bowl, sprinkle strawberries with sugar; stir to distribute sugar. Set aside.
Chill large metal mixing bowl and beaters from electric mixer. Pour cream into chilled mixing bowl, and add white chocolate pudding mix and lemon yogurt. Beat until fluffy with electric mixer set on Medium speed.
Spread layer of pound cake cubes into bottom of a glass 10x15-inch baking dish.
Cover pound cake with layer of strawberries; sprinkle blueberries over strawberries.
Spread thick layer of whipped cream over berries.
Repeat layers several times, ending with layer of strawberries sprinkled with blueberries and reserving about 1 cup of whipped cream
Top trifle with dollops of whipped cream to serve.

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE BROWNIES: Valentine's Day!

Here's a great recipe for Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies. Perfect for Valentine's Day! Anything red and chocolate works for me! Who doesn't need another brownie recipe? This recipe is an adaptation of Sunny Anderson's from the Foodnetwork, and it's delicious. The recipe contains red food coloring, but there are some nice Wilton natural red colorings you can use. It's an easy recipe -- and delicious! 

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE BROWNIES

Ingredients
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for pan
Parchment paper

Red Velvet Brownie Layer
8 Tbsp (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup high grade cocoa powder
Dash of salt
1 Tbsp red food coloring (or Wilton natural red)
1 tsp vinegar
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Cream Cheese Layer
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter 8 by 8 inch baking pan.
Put long piece of parchment paper in bottom of pan, extending up two side--overhanging slightly on both ends (easy to remove brownies after baked)

Brownie layer: 
In saucepan, melt butter on medium heat. Put butter in large bowl and add sugar, vanilla, cocoa powder (or melted chocolate), salt, food coloring, and vinegar, in that order, mixing between additions.
Whisk eggs in small bowl and stir into cocoa mix. Fold in flour until lightly combined. Stir in walnuts and pour batter into prepared baking pan, saving 1/4 cup of batter for the top.

Cream cheese layer: 
Blend together cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla in medium bowl. Gently spread cream cheese layer on top of brownie batter in pan. Drop remaining brownie batter over cream cheese layer. Using skewer or tip of knife, drag tip through cream cheese mixture to create swirl pattern.
Bake brownies for 30 minutes.
Remove to cooling rack and cool completely before cutting.

RED, WHITE, & BLUE STAR BROWNIES: Memorial Day!

I love this recipe from Betty Crocker for Red, White, & Blue Star Brownies! It's easy and perfect for Memorial Day. You can also bookmark this recipe and make these brownies for Fourth of July! You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decor stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue Holiday M&Ms. Just press them gently into the batter before baking.

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil, and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1-1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies.
Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies.
Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies.
Sprinkle with decors stars.

Red, White, & Blue Star Brownies: Fourth of July

I love this recipe from Betty Crocker for Red, White, & Blue Star Brownies! It's easy and perfect for Fourth of July. You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decor stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue Holiday M&Ms. Just press them gently into the batter before baking.

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil, and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1-1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies.
Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies.
Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies.
Sprinkle with decors stars.

PATRIOTIC COOKIES FOR MEMORIAL DAY!

Here's another easy dessert for Memorial Day --  Patriotic Chocolate Cookies! You probably have everything in your pantry already--well, maybe not the Red, White, and Blue Holiday M&Ms Mix, but you can pick up a bag at the market, Target, the baking store, or on-line. This is an easy recipe that makes a big impact. So colorful!

PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE, & BLUE CHOCOLATE COOKIES FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Ingredients
1 cup butter, unsalted
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla
1 Bag Red, White, & Blue M&Ms Holiday Mix

Directions
Mix together dry ingredients and set aside. Cream together butter and both sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients, 1 cup at time.
Add 3/4 of bag of Red White and Blue Holiday Mix M&M’s to chocolate cookie dough.
Take spoonful of cookie dough and roll into ball. Press some Red White and Blue M&M’s onto cookie dough ball.
Bake cookies in 350 degree oven for 9-11 minutes.

FOURTH OF JULY S'MORES BARS

A few years ago Over the Big Moon posted this fabulous recipe for Fourth of July S'mores Bars. I'm always looking for S'mores recipes, and the addition of Red, White, and Blue M&Ms (available everywhere!) makes these S'mores Bars so festive.  They're also easy, and you can make ahead! Perfect for the barbecue, camping, or taking to friends.

FOURTH OF JULY S'MORES BARS

Ingredients:
1 package of Oreos, crushed into fine crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
7 graham cracker squares (just enough to create a layer in the pan)
3 – 8 oz ounce bars of milk chocolate (for that 'real' S'mores flavor)
4 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups Red, White, & Blue M&M's

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line 9 x 13 pan with aluminum foil, leaving a bit of an overhang.
Crush Oreo Cookies into fine crumbs. Combine crushed oreos with melted butter. Press oreo mixture into the bottom of 9×13 pan.
Pour sweet condensed milk over oreo crust.
Break up graham crackers and chocolate bar and sprinkle over sweet condensed milk.
Sprinkle mini marshmallows all over.
Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle all over top with M&Ms.
Put back in oven and cook for 5-7 more minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.
While the bars are cooling, break up the last 4 ounce chocolate bar and melt with 3 tablespoons milk on stove top until chocolate is runny enough to drizzle over bars. If needed, add more milk.
After bars are cooled, drizzle milk chocolate over top of bars.
Finish cooling before serving!

RED, WHITE, & BLUE STAR BROWNIES: Memorial Day!

I love this recipe from Betty Crocker for Red, White, & Blue Star Brownies! It's easy and perfect for Memorial Day. Too late to make these today? Bookmark this recipe and make these brownies for Fourth of July! You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decor stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue Holiday M&Ms. Just press them gently into the batter before baking.

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil, and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1-1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies.
Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies.
Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies.
Sprinkle with decors stars.

INAUGURATION DAY BROWNIES: Red, White, and Blue

Here's a great recipe to celebrate Inauguration Day: Red, White & Blue Star Brownies. I love this recipe adapted from Betty Crocker. I've made it many times. You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decors stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue M&Ms (press into batter before baking) or Red, White & Blue sprinkles. These Brownies are perfect to celebrate our 46th President!

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil, and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars (or Red, White, and Blue Sprinkles if you don't have stars)

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies.
Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies.
Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies.
Sprinkle with red, white, and blue star decor or red, white, and blue sprinkles.

Red, White & Blue Star Brownies for Memorial Day

With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, I thought I'd start posting my Memorial Day chocolate recipes. I love this recipe from Betty Crocker. I've made it a bunch of times. You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decors stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue Holiday M&Ms. Just press them gently into the batter before baking. These Brownies are perfect for Memorial Day!

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies.
Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies.
Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies.
Sprinkle with decors.

RED, WHITE & BLUE STAR BROWNIES: Memorial Day!

Here's another easy recipe to make ahead for your Memorial Day celebration. Love this recipe from Betty Crocker. I've made it a bunch of times. You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decors stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue Holiday M&Ms. Just press them gently into the batter before baking. These Brownies are perfect for Memorial Day!

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies.
Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies.
Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies.
Sprinkle with decors.

Photo: Betty Crocker

Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Chocolate Cookies for Memorial Day

Here's another easy dessert for Memorial Day --  Patriotic Chocolate Cookies! You probably have everything in your pantry already--well, maybe not the Red, White, and Blue Holiday M&M Mix, but you can pick up a bag at the market, Target, the baking store, or on-line. This is an easy recipe that makes a big impact. So colorful!

PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE, & BLUE CHOCOLATE COOKIES FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Ingredients
1 cup butter, unsalted
3/4 cup granulated Sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
2 1/4 cups Flour
2/3 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 large Eggs
1 tsp Madagascar Vanilla
1 Bag Red, White, & Blue M&Ms Holiday Mix

Directions
Mix together dry ingredients and set aside. Cream together butter and both sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients, 1 cup at time.
Add 3/4 of bag of Red White and Blue Holiday Mix M&M’s to chocolate cookie dough.
Take spoonful of cookie dough and roll into ball. Press some Red White and Blue M&M’s onto cookie dough ball.
Bake cookies in 350 degree oven for 9-11 minutes.

Red White & Blue Star Brownies for Memorial Day

Photo: Betty Crocker

Love this recipe from Betty Crocker. I've made it a bunch of times. You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decors stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue Holiday M&Ms. Just press them gently into the batter before baking. These are perfect for Memorial Day!

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray. Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies. Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies. Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies. Sprinkle with decors.