Description
Celebrate freedom and flavor with the vibrant 4th of July Swirl Pie, a festive and visually stunning dessert that combines creamy textures with patriotic red, white, and blue swirls. Perfect as a centerpiece for holiday gatherings, this pie is easy to prepare with common ingredients and offers refreshing vanilla and berry flavors. Adaptable to dietary preferences, it’s a delicious and eye-catching tradition for your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 1 ready-made or homemade pie crust (9-inch)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
Berry Purees
- 1/2 cup strawberries, fresh or thawed if frozen
- 1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or thawed if frozen
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1–2 tbsp sugar (divided, to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll out your pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish, trim any excess dough, and press it firmly along the edges. Chill the crust in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to prevent shrinking during baking.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Whip the Heavy Cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, providing a light and airy texture to the filling.
- Prepare Berry Swirls: Puree strawberries and blueberries separately with lemon juice and some sugar to taste. Strain each puree to remove seeds, creating smooth purees for swirling.
- Combine and Layer: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well incorporated. Spoon alternating dollops of the plain filling and berry purees into the chilled pie crust. Use a toothpick or skewer to lightly swirl the colors together, creating a beautiful patriotic pattern without over-mixing.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to let the flavors meld and the filling firm up to the perfect consistency.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese and vanilla extract for a smooth filling without lumps.
- Chill bowls and beaters before whipping the cream to achieve better volume and texture.
- Strain berry purees thoroughly to avoid seeds disrupting the smooth swirl effect.
- Swirl the fillings gently to maintain distinct red, white, and blue colors.
- Allow ample chilling time for the best slices and flavor development.
- Frozen berries can be used but thaw and drain excess liquid before pureeing to avoid watery filling.
- For vegan or dairy-free options, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and cream cheese with vegan cream cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of pie)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg