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Bite-Sized Patriotic Treats Bursting with Red, White & Blue Flair
If you’re looking for a show-stopping 4th of July dessert that’s as festive as it is delicious, these Mini Flag Cheesecakes deliver the goods. With creamy cheesecake filling, a buttery graham cracker crust, and vibrant toppings arranged like the American flag, these personal-sized treats are perfect for picnics, BBQs, or party platters.
They’re rich and indulgent without being overwhelming — and thanks to their single-serve size, there’s no need for slicing or plating. Just grab, admire, and devour!
Why You’ll Love These
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🇺🇸 Festive and patriotic – Red, white, and blue details make these a holiday highlight.
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🧁 Perfect portions – Mini size means no slicing, serving, or messy cleanup.
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🍓 Fresh and fruity – Topped with berries for flavor and natural color.
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⏱️ Make-ahead friendly – Chill them the day before and serve when ready.
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🧁 Great for kids and adults – Elegant enough for grown-ups, fun enough for little ones.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
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1 cup graham cracker crumbs
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2 tablespoons sugar
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4 tablespoons melted butter
For the Cheesecake Filling:
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16 oz (2 blocks) cream cheese, softened
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1/2 cup sugar
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1/4 cup sour cream
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 large eggs
For the Flag Topping:
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Fresh blueberries
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Fresh strawberries or raspberries, sliced
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Optional: whipped cream or stabilized frosting for stripes
Instructions
1. Prep & Preheat
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners or foil cupcake wrappers.
2. Make the Crust
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Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined.
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Spoon 1 tablespoon of mixture into each liner and press down firmly.
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Bake for 5–7 minutes, then cool slightly.
3. Make the Cheesecake Filling
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In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
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Mix in sour cream and vanilla.
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Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined — don’t overbeat.
4. Bake the Cheesecakes
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Divide filling evenly among muffin cups (about 3/4 full).
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Bake for 16–20 minutes, until centers are just set and slightly jiggly.
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Cool in pan, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
5. Decorate Like a Flag
Once chilled, decorate the tops:
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Top left corner: Add 3–4 blueberries for the “stars” section.
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Red & white stripes: Alternate rows of thin strawberry slices and piped whipped cream (or marshmallow fluff, yogurt, or frosting).
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Repeat for each mini cheesecake for a flag-inspired effect!
Tips & Variations
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Make them no-bake: Use a no-bake cheesecake base and chill instead of baking.
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Add a swirl: Swirl strawberry or blueberry jam into the filling before baking for extra flavor.
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Use stabilized whipped cream: Helps designs hold their shape longer in warm weather.
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Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour for the crust.
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Mini star cutter: Use a tiny star-shaped cutter on thin watermelon or apple slices to add edible stars.
Make-Ahead & Storage
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Make ahead: These are perfect for prepping 1–2 days in advance.
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Storage: Keep covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
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Serving tip: Serve chilled with forks or mini dessert spoons.
Great For:
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🎆 Fourth of July picnics
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🎂 Patriotic dessert platters
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🎁 Party favors (in cupcake boxes)
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🧒 Kid-friendly baking activities
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🎉 Summer baby showers or birthday parties with a red, white, and blue theme
Final Thoughts
These Mini Flag Cheesecakes are the perfect combination of fun and flavor. Whether you’re hosting a big bash or just want something special for your family cookout, they offer just the right amount of richness, freshness, and festive flair.
Cute, classic, and crowd-pleasing — they’re bound to become a July 4th tradition!