Easy Way to Decorate Brownies for 4th of July

red, white, and blue brownies pinterest pin

Looking for a patriotic red, white, and blue, show-stopping dessert recipe for the 4th of July? These easy Fourth of July Brownies taste amazing, look spectacular, but arecompletely manageable to pull off. No baking extraordinaire experience required!

pan of 4th of July brownies with strawberries and blueberries scattered around it

Now's the time to start scouring the internet for creative, easy 4th of July dessert recipes. Locating those red, white, and blue patriotic recipes doesn't seem to be a problem.

Finding desserts that actually result in the perfected pictures can be more difficult to come across. (Not to mention one that doesn't resemble an American flag – it's had its moment.)

These easy Fourth of July Brownies won't result in a disappointing case of "Pinterest fail." I want you to step into that holiday party with your confidence and swagger intact.

In fact, these brownies are so easy a 12 year old can make them. My daughter stepped in and created the design. (Evidently flag desserts flood the internet for good reason – only one thing came to my mind when staring at white frosting, strawberries, and blueberries).

So, if a 12 year old can make it happen, I have nothing but utter confidence in you!

HOW TO make and DECORATE Fourth OF JULY BROWNIES

Now it's time to turn those homemade chocolate brownies or a store bought mix into a red, white, and blue show stopping, patriotic dessert! The first thing you will have to do is prepare a homemade brownie recipe or box mix that yields enough for a 9X13 pan.

However, you will not bake the brownies in the 9X13 pan, but instead in a 15X10 jelly roll pan. This will allow more room to decorate and serves more people, which is ideal for a 4th of July celebrations, picnics, or Memorial Day party!

After the brownies have baked they will have to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. Otherwise, the cream cheese frosting will melt into the brownies.

Whipped Cream Frosting

After the brownies have cooled, begin to make the frosting. For a less sweet taste, I recommend whipping heavy cream to fold into the cream cheese mixture. To save time, or have a sweeter frosting, substitute 2 cups Cool Whip whipped topping.

images showing how to make cream cheese frosting for brownies

frosting dolloped over brownies before spreading

Use a mixer to beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until smooth.
If using heavy cream, beat in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form.
Stir the whipped cream (or Cool Whip) into cream cheese mixture.
Dollop on brownies (reserving 3/4 cup for decorative edge) and gently spread evenly.

Decorating patriotic brownies

Now it's time for what may be intimidating to some home bakers. Don't worry, it's actually quite easy and I'll show you how step-by-step.

Cut the tops off of strawberries and slice each lengthwise. Use the 5 best slices for each "star" on brownies. (See recipe image for placement.)
Place 1-2 blueberries in middle of each "star."
Use the remaining blueberries to make an "tails" starting from the "stars" and leading to corner. For best results, line the arch first to get an outline and then fill in with the rest of the blueberries. TIP: Only have blueberry "tails" coming from first and last "star." Leave the middle "star" as is.
Pipe a small swirls of remaining excess frosting in about 1.5″ increments around edge. Place blueberry on top of each swirl.

images showing how to cut strawberries and piping on frosting

overhead shot of red, white, and blue decoration on brownies

using gluten-free brownies

Any regular or gluten-free brownie recipe will work. When I make homemade brownies I use substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour with great results.

In fact, swap out the brownies for gluten-free chocolate cake or bake into gluten-free cupcakes with cherries or strawberry star toppings.

baking pan substitutions

If you don't own a 15X10 jelly roll pan, you may use another size cookie sheet, but it should have at least a 1 inch edge. Please note, the baking times will differ if you use a bigger or smaller pan, though.

A larger cookie sheet will need less time and yield a thinner brownie. Using a 9X13 pan will require a longer baking time and you will have a smaller area to decorate. You may also want to place two stars, instead of three, if using a 9X13-inch pan.

make ahead instructions

You may make this dessert ahead of time, but save the decorating until a few hours before serving. Prepare the brownies and frosting up to 24 hours ahead of time and refrigerate.

The strawberries will become mushy sitting that long, or the red white color will bleed together. For best results, decorate the brownies the day they will be served.

storing / freezing

Since the frosting contains cream cheese and heavy cream, you will want to refrigerate until ready to serve. However, they are fine to sit out up to 6-8 hours if the room isn't very warm. If sitting outside, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Leftovers may be sliced and stored in an airtight container. To stack, place sheets of parchment paper in between.

If you would like to freeze the brownies for longer storage, I recommend removing the fruit first. Wrap sliced brownies in plastic wrap, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze up to three months.

close up of strawberries slices forming stars with blueberry center

best TIPS AND TRICKS

Although this calls for a 9X13 brownie recipe, they are actually baked in 15X10 to give room for the design and serve more guests.
The baking directions included in the recipe were tested with my easy homemade brownie recipe. If using a box mix or another recipe, you may have to adjust the temperature or baking time.
To avoid pulling up the top layer of brownies while spreading on the frosting, dollop the icing all over first and then gently spread.
Wash the strawberries and blueberries while the brownies are cooling and lay out on a dish towel to give ample time to dry.
For a less sweet taste, I recommend whipping heavy cream to fold into the cream cheese mixture. To save time, or have a sweeter frosting, substitute 2 cups Cool Whip whipped topping.
I use frosting decorating kit all the time for quick little frosting decorations. Alternatively, use a small plastic baggie with a corner snipped off. It doesn't have to be fancy, just something for the blueberry to sit on.
Or, don't mess with the decorating tip at all. Just line the edge with some more fresh blueberries and call it a day!

SAVE THis recipe for EASY Fourth OF JULY BROWNIES TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!

Let's be friends on Pinterest! I'm always sharing great recipes!

▢ 1 brownie recipe or boxed mix (that yields enough for a 9X13 pan) I use this Easy Homemade Brownies recipe

Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting:

▢ 16 ounces cream cheese (2 packages)
▢ 1 cup powdered sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 cup heavy cream (or 2 cups Cool Whip)
▢ 6-7 fresh strawberries, washed and dried
▢ 1 pint fresh blueberries, washed and dried

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Preheat oven to 325ºF. Make the Easy Homemade Brownie recipe according to directions or alternatively prepare a store bought brownie mix that yields enough for a 9X13 pan. Pour into a greased 15 X 11 inch jelly roll pan. Bake for 33-37 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool brownies completely.
In a small bowl beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
If using heavy cream, pour into a separate clean, large bowl. Beat on high until it holds shape and peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Fold the whipped cream (or Cool Whip) into cream cheese mixture until no streaks remain.
Set aside ¾ cup frosting if you wish to pipe a decorative edge. Dollop the remaining cream cheese frosting all over cooled brownies and then gently spread. TIP: Evenly dispersing dollops all over first will avoid spreading frosting around too much and pulling up brownie crumbs into frosting.

How to Decorate 4th of July Brownies:

Cut the tops off the strawberries and then slice lengthwise. Use 5 best slices for each of strawberry "stars." Refer to recipe image for placement.TIP:Arrange the stars on brownies first before arranging blueberries. Place 1-2 blueberries in middle of strawberry "stars."
Use the remaining blueberries to arch "tails" from strawberry "stars," ending in one corner point. For best results, start at the "star" and line the the outline of the "tails" first, and then fill in with the rest of the blueberries. TIP: Only have blueberry "tails" coming from first and last "star." Leave the middle "star" as is.
If decorating the edge, put remaining frosting in decorating bottle or piping bag. Pipe small swirls placed about 1 ½" apart around edge. Place a blueberry on top of each swirl. Refrigerate leftovers.
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Baking Without a Jelly Roll Pan

You may use another size cookie sheet, but it should have at least a 1 inch edge. Please note, the baking times will differ if you use a bigger or smaller pan, though. A larger cookie sheet will need less time and yield a thinner brownie. Using a 9X13 pan will require a longer baking time and you will have a smaller area to decorate. You may also want to place 2 stars, instead of 3, if using a 9X13 pan.

best TIPS AND TRICKS:

Although this calls for a 9X13 brownie recipe, they are actually baked in 15X10 to give room for the design and serve more guests.
The baking directions included in the recipe were tested with my easy homemade brownie recipe. If using a box mix or another recipe, you may have to adjust the temperature or baking time.
To avoid pulling up the top layer of brownies while spreading on the frosting, dollop the icing all over first and then gently spread.
Wash the strawberries and blueberries while the brownies are cooling and lay out on a dish towel to give ample time to dry.
For a less sweet taste, I recommend whipping heavy cream to fold into the cream cheese mixture. To save time, or have a sweeter frosting, substitute 2 cups Cool Whip whipped topping.
I use frosting decorating kit all the time for quick little frosting decorations. Alternatively, use a small plastic baggie with a corner snipped off. It doesn't have to be fancy, just something for the blueberry to sit on.

Categories: 4th Of July Baking Bars / Brownies Desserts Gluten Free Holidays Recipes Summer

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