Great Escape: Patriotic Dessert

Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break or make your life a little easier—maybe a whole lot easier.

With Memorial Day almost here, it’s nice to have an easy, delicious dessert to bring to any picnic or event you may be attending. Here’s one my family loves. It’s fresh and light, with an appropriate red, white and blue theme. Make it ahead of time and it will keep in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
• 2 quarts strawberries, halved, divided
• 2 quarts blueberries, divided

Directions

• Reserve 20 strawberry halves and 1/2 cup blueberries for garnish
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and extracts until fluffy
• Fold in whipped cream
• Place a third of the mixture in a 4-qt. bowl
• Layer half of the remaining strawberries and blueberries over cream mixture
• Top with another third of the cream mixture and the remaining berries
• Spread the remaining cream mixture on top
• Use the reserved strawberries and blueberries to make a flag design on top.