Patriotic Berry Gelatin Delight
Celebrate in style with this quick and elegant Patriotic Berry Gelatin Delight, perfect for any U.S. holiday gathering. Born from the classic Flag Cake tradition, this hassle-free dessert combines the vibrant colors and fresh taste of juicy strawberries, ripe blueberries, and a hint of banana, layered in a refreshing red gelatin base. Finished with a light, fluffy whipped topping, it's a delicious, eye-catching treat suitable for any summertime occasion. Created in just 30 minutes with minimal preparation time, this dessert will surely be the star of any picnic or barbecue.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
strawberries
2 pints (hulled, 1 cup sliced, rest halved)
blueberries
1 1/3 cups (divided)
banana
1 (sliced)
large box red gelatin, any flavor
3 1/2 ounces (none)
boiling water
2 cups (none)
ice cubes
12 (none)
frozen non-dairy topping, thawed OR real whipped cream
12 ounces (optional)
powdered non-dairy coffee creamer
1 cup (optional)
cold milk (OR water)
1/4 cup (optional)
cold lemon juice concentrate
1 tablespoon (optional)
confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons (optional)
Instructions
1
Optionally, place mixing bowl, beaters, measuring cup, and spoons in the freezer to chill if making whipped topping from powdered creamer.
2
Hull strawberries. Slice 1 cup and halve the rest. Slice the banana.
3
In a 13'x9'x2' baking pan, dissolve the red gelatin in boiling water, stirring thoroughly for about 2 minutes.
4
For whipped topping: Place milk or water in the freezer along with lemon juice, keeping them separate.
5
Add ice cubes to the gelatin. Stir until it reaches a 'soft set' consistency, around 4 minutes. Remove any remaining ice.
6
Mix in 1 cup of blueberries, the sliced strawberries, and the banana, distributing them evenly in the gelatin.
7
Cover the gelatin with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge if you're making whipped topping from powdered creamer.
8
Spread the thawed whipped topping or whipped cream over the gelatin.
9
Arrange the remaining blueberries into a square in one corner, and line the halved strawberries in 4-5 rows to mimic the 'Stars and Bars' of the U.S. flag.
10
Slice into approximately 2-inch squares before serving.
11
To make whipped topping from powdered creamer, remove chilled equipment and liquids from the freezer.
12
Combine cold lemon juice and powdered creamer.
13
Add cold milk (or water) and beat at high speed with chilled beaters until soft peaks form, about 1 minute.
14
Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until stiff peaks form, for another 2 minutes.
15
Spread over the gelatin-fruit mixture and decorate following steps 8 and 9.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Patriotic Berry Gelatin Delight?
It is a quick and elegant dessert featuring strawberries, blueberries, and banana in a red gelatin base, topped with whipped cream and decorated like a U.S. flag.
How long does it take to prepare this dessert?
The dessert can be prepared in approximately 30 minutes with minimal preparation time.
What fruits are required for this recipe?
You will need 2 pints of strawberries, 1 1/3 cups of blueberries, and 1 banana.
What size baking pan is needed?
A 13x9x2-inch baking pan is required for this gelatin delight.
How do I make the gelatin set quickly?
After dissolving the gelatin in boiling water, add 12 ice cubes and stir for about 4 minutes until it reaches a soft set consistency.
Should I remove the ice cubes from the gelatin?
Yes, any remaining ice cubes should be removed once the gelatin reaches the soft set stage.
How are the strawberries prepared for the filling?
One cup of strawberries should be sliced to go inside the gelatin, while the rest are halved for decoration.
What kind of gelatin should I use?
Use one 3.5-ounce large box of any flavor of red gelatin.
How many blueberries are mixed into the gelatin?
One cup of blueberries is mixed into the gelatin along with the other fruits.
How do I create the flag design on top?
Arrange blueberries in a square in one corner and line the halved strawberries in 4-5 rows to represent the Stars and Bars.
What type of topping can I use?
You can use 12 ounces of thawed frozen non-dairy topping or real whipped cream.
Can I make a whipped topping from scratch?
Yes, you can make a topping using powdered non-dairy coffee creamer, cold lemon juice, cold milk or water, and confectioners' sugar.
How do I prepare the equipment for homemade topping?
Optionally place the mixing bowl, beaters, measuring cup, and spoons in the freezer to chill before starting.
How many squares does this recipe yield?
While the total count isn't specified, the instructions suggest slicing the dessert into 2-inch squares.
Is this recipe suitable for the Fourth of July?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a patriotic treat for U.S. holiday gatherings like the Fourth of July.
How much boiling water is used to dissolve the gelatin?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of boiling water.
What is the first step in assembling the fruit?
The first fruit-related step is hulling the strawberries and slicing the banana.
How long should I stir the gelatin and boiling water?
Stir thoroughly for approximately 2 minutes until the gelatin is dissolved.
When do I add the fruit to the gelatin?
Add the fruit after the gelatin has reached a soft set consistency and ice has been removed.
Can I use water instead of milk for the homemade topping?
Yes, 1/4 cup of cold water can be used as an alternative to cold milk for the creamer-based topping.
How much lemon juice is needed for the topping?
You need 1 tablespoon of cold lemon juice concentrate.
What speed should I beat the homemade topping at?
Beat the mixture at high speed until soft peaks form.
How long do I beat the topping after adding sugar?
Beat for another 2 minutes until stiff peaks form after gradually adding the confectioners' sugar.
How much confectioners' sugar is used?
The topping recipe requires 3 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar.
Is the banana sliced or mashed?
The banana should be sliced.
What is the 'Stars and Bars' design referring to?
It refers to the pattern of the U.S. flag, which is mimicked using blueberries for the star field and strawberries for the stripes.
Is this a good dessert for a summer barbecue?
Yes, it is described as a refreshing treat that is the star of any picnic or barbecue.
Can I use any flavor of red gelatin?
Yes, any flavor works as long as it provides the red color for the patriotic theme.
Does this recipe require a long time in the fridge?
Because it uses the ice cube method to reach a soft set quickly, it is a faster alternative to traditional gelatin recipes.
How many rows of strawberries should be placed on top?
The instructions recommend lining the strawberries in 4 to 5 rows.