If you’re anything like us, you’re spending Memorial Day barbecuing with family and friends, and for weeks you’ve had the intention of making a festive patriotic dessert to bring and share. In a blink of an eye it’s the day before and you panic. Join the club! This year it feels a bit like we cheated, but it was quick, easy, and everyone LOVED it!

We went to Costco and bought a plain cheesecake, along with strawberries, blueberries, and apricot jam. We cut the green tops off the strawberries and covered the top in a random formation and used the blueberries to fill in the blank areas. We then thinly slices strawberries and circled the sides so the naked cheesecake areas were completely covered. Last but not least, we warmed on low heat two large spoonfuls of apricot jam with 4 tablespoons of water and let simmer (stirring occasionally), until it was the consistency of thin syrup. From there we took a brush and gently glazed the top and sides of the fruit for the finishing touch. (recipe below)

Violà, a red, white, and blue cheesecake, perfect for your Memorial Day celebration!

When we have the time (and energy) to make your cheesecake from scratch, here is our favorite go-to recipe:

Ingredients

• 1-3/4 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 1/3 Cup of butter, melted
• 1-1/4 Cups of Sugar, divided
• 3 (8 ounce) packages of Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 Cup Sour Cream
• 2 Teaspoons of Vanilla
• 3 Eggs
• Strawberries
• Blueberries

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix graham crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.
4. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
5. Top with strawberries and blueberries before serving.

Happy Memorial Day Friends!