Berries and Stars: A Festive Fourth of July Dessert
Description:
This delightful dessert is an impressive yet simple choice for your Fourth of July celebrations, guaranteed to wow even the most seasoned cooks. With vibrant berries and a star-studded pastry, it’s perfect for summer gatherings and kid-friendly fun.
Recipe Details
| Cook Time | Prep Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 10 minutes | 40 minutes |
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Frozen puff pastry | 1 sheet |
| Sugar | 1 tablespoon |
| Lemons (zest and juice) | 2 lemons |
| Sweetened condensed milk | 1 can |
| Cool Whip | 1 cup |
| Strawberries | 2 cups |
| Blueberries | 1 cup |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 5141.9 |
| Total Fat | 282.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 118.7 g |
| Cholesterol | 135 mg |
| Sodium | 1793.1 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 601.9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 32 g |
| Sugars | 343.3 g |
| Protein | 78.2 g |
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out one sheet of frozen puff pastry onto a baking sheet, ensuring an even layer.
- Take the second sheet and cut out four 1-inch strips to create an outer edge for your pastry rectangle. Reserve the remaining dough for later use.
- Brush the edges of the pastry on the baking sheet with water, then lay the pastry strips over the edges to form a decorative rim. Trim off any excess dough for a neat finish.
- Prick the entire bottom of the pastry with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed, noting that the center may puff but will flatten as it cools.
- Use cookie cutters to cut star shapes from the remaining pastry dough, then sprinkle them lightly with sugar.
- Bake the pastry stars separately for about 12 minutes until golden.
- While the pastry cools, zest and juice the two lemons, combining the zest and juice in a bowl with the sweetened condensed milk.
- Gently fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip until well incorporated.
- Once the pastry shell has cooled, fill it with the lemony cream filling and top with a vibrant array of strawberries and blueberries.
- Arrange the star-shaped pastry pieces over the top for a festive finish, and decorate with any remaining Cool Whip.
This Berries and Stars dessert is not only visually stunning but also a delectable blend of flavors that will surely become a favorite at your summer celebrations!
