The American Flag Tart That Steals the Show Every 4th of July
Celebrate the 4th of July with this easy American Flag Puff Pastry Tart! A festive red, white, and blue dessert made with cream cheese filling and fresh berries, baked until golden and perfect for parties.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
Every year, I try to make at least one 4th of July treat that’s festive but actually easy. This American Flag Puff Pastry Tart checks all the boxes: red, white, and blue? yep. Looks like you spent hours? also yes. Took less than 30 minutes? Absolutely .
I’ve made so many versions of puff pastry tarts over the years, but this one has become a go-to every summer. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together while your kids are running around with sparklers and the grill’s heating up. It’s low-effort, high-impact, and totally customizable.
The base is a simple sheet of store-bought puff pastry (don’t overthink it—we’re here for easy wins). You score a little border to make it look fancy, bake it until golden, then fill it with a light cream cheese and Greek yogurt mixture sweetened with honey or maple syrup. Top it with berries in a flag design and bake again until it’s golden and glossy and your kitchen smells like summer dessert magic.
My kids love helping me place the berries (and occasionally sneak a few), and honestly, it’s just a fun, low-stress tradition we’ve started. Whether you’re headed to a backyard BBQ or hosting a family night at home, this is the kind of treat that brings smiles.
If you’re looking for a quick, festive dessert that feels special without requiring a lot of effort or cleanup, this is the one. And if your tart ends up a little “abstract” instead of picture-perfect, just call it rustic and serve with confidence. No one’s complaining when flaky puff pastry and berries are involved.
A few tips to make it even better:
The American Flag Puff Pastry Tart That Steals the Show Every 4th of July
Equipment
- baking tray + parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or use more cream cheese
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 20 strawberries sliced
- 1 egg for egg wash
Optional:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Lemon zest in the filling for brightness
Let's Make It
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll out the puff pastry slightly to flatten seams. Score a border around the edges (don’t cut through), then prick the center with a fork to prevent puffing.
- Beat the egg and brush the border. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- While it bakes, mix the cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla, and honey until smooth.
- Let the pastry cool slightly, then press down the center gently to make space for filling.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture inside the border.
- Arrange blueberries in the upper left corner, then alternate rows of raspberries and strawberries to mimic flag stripes.
- Return to the oven for 8–10 minutes until the edges are deep golden and the berries soften slightly.
- Let cool. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve!
