When summer rolls around and patriotic holidays like the 4th of July and Memorial Day are on the horizon, finding the perfect festive dessert is a must. If you want something that requires zero oven time, looks spectacular, and tastes absolutely divine, look no further than this Red, White, and Blue Mixed Berry Yum Yum.
This delightful layered treat takes the classic Yum Yum dessert to a whole new level. Featuring layers of fluffy, sweetened cream cheese, vibrant strawberry pie filling, and rich blueberry pie filling, all resting on a buttery graham cracker crust, this dessert is basically summer in a 9×13-inch pan!
What is a Yum Yum Dessert?
If you’ve never had a “Yum Yum” before, you are in for a serious treat! A Yum Yum is a traditional layered dessert that typically features a graham cracker or pecan crust, a light and airy cream cheese filling, and a fruit topping. Usually, they are made with just one fruit flavor, but for this festive spin, we are doubling up on the fruit to create gorgeous, patriotic stripes.
Check out our guide on other easy no-bake desserts to see why layered treats like this are a summer staple!
Why You’ll Love This Mixed Berry Yum Yum Recipe
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No-Bake Perfection: You won’t need to turn on your oven during the hot summer months.
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Make-Ahead Friendly: This dessert actually requires overnight chilling, making it the ultimate stress-free dish for hosting parties or taking to potlucks.
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Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of fresh berries, homemade whipped cream, and cream cheese is irresistible.
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Festive and Fun: The bright red and blue fruit layers sandwiched between white cream cheese fluff naturally create a patriotic theme, making it one of the most stunning patriotic red, white, and blue recipes you can make.
Red, White & Blue Mixed Berry Yum Yum
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 packages (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract divided
- 1 can (21 oz) strawberry pie filling premium
- 1 can (21 oz) blueberry pie filling premium
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix until evenly moistened. Reserve 3 tablespoons for topping and press the rest firmly into a greased 9x13-inch dish.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, granulated sugar, and remaining vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Spread about one-third of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust.
- Dollop the strawberry pie filling over the layer and spread evenly.
- Spread another third of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberry layer.
- Dollop the blueberry pie filling over the second cream layer and spread evenly.
- Top with the remaining cream cheese mixture and smooth the surface.
- Sprinkle the reserved graham cracker crumbs over the top.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
Ingredients You Will Need
To make this festive Red White and Blue Mixed Berry Yum Yum, you will need simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here is what to add to your grocery list:
For the Crust:
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Graham Cracker Crumbs: You’ll need 2 ½ cups. You can crush your own or buy pre-crushed crumbs. Need a refresher? Here are our top graham cracker crust tips.
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Unsalted Butter: 12 tablespoons, melted, to bind the crust.
For the Cream Cheese Fluff Layer:
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Cream Cheese: Two 8 oz. packages. Make sure they are softened to room temperature to prevent lumps.
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Confectioners’ Sugar: 1 cup, to sweeten the cream cheese.
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Whipping Cream: 4 cups of heavy whipping cream. You’ll whip this up yourself for the best flavor! Check out this perfect homemade whipped cream recipe if you want a deeper dive into making whipped cream from scratch.
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Granulated Sugar: 6 tablespoons, for sweetening the whipped cream.
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Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons total, divided between the cream cheese and whipped cream.
For the Fruit Layers:
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Strawberry Pie Filling: One 21 oz. can. Premium fillings have more fruit chunks!
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Blueberry Pie Filling: One 21 oz. can.
(Looking for just a single-fruit version? Check out our delicious classic Cherry Yum Yum!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
This dessert looks complex because of all the beautiful layers, but putting it together is actually incredibly straightforward.
Step 1: Prep the Graham Cracker Crust
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and the melted butter. Stir with a fork until the crumbs are thoroughly moistened. Set aside 3 tablespoons of this mixture to use as a garnish later. Press the rest of the buttery crumbs firmly into the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Fluffy Cream Cheese Filling
Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until completely smooth. In a separate, chilled bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, and remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until beautifully combined and fluffy.
Step 3: Layer the Yum Yum
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First Cream Cheese Layer: Spread 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture (about 3 cups) evenly over your prepared graham cracker crust.
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Strawberry Layer: Drop dollops of the strawberry pie filling over the cream cheese. Gently spread them out so they connect to form an even red layer. (The dollop method prevents the layers from swirling together).
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Second Cream Cheese Layer: Carefully spread another 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture over the strawberries.
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Blueberry Layer: Drop dollops of the blueberry pie filling over the cream cheese, spreading gently into an even blue layer.
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Final Cream Cheese Layer: Top the blueberries with the final 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture, smoothing it out completely.
Step 4: Garnish and Chill
Sprinkle the reserved 3 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs evenly over the top layer. Cover the dish securely with plastic wrap or foil.
Crucial Step: Refrigerate the dessert overnight. Do not skip this! The overnight chill allows the graham cracker crust to set and the layers to firm up. If you try to cut it too soon, the layers will slide right off each other.
Expert Tips for the Best Mixed Berry Dessert
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Use Premium Pie Filling: Premium canned fillings contain whole berries rather than mostly syrup, ensuring a much better texture.
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Can I substitute Cool Whip? Yes! If you want to save time, you can substitute the 4 cups of heavy whipping cream and granulated sugar with two 8-ounce tubs of thawed whipped topping. However, making it from scratch provides a vastly superior taste.
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Serve Chilled: For perfectly clean slices, keep the dessert in the fridge right up until you are ready to serve it. This makes it an ideal addition to a menu of the best summer BBQ desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dessert with fresh fruit? Yes, you can! However, you will need to cook down your fresh strawberries and blueberries with sugar and cornstarch to create a thick, jammy pie filling consistency. Fresh fruit on its own will release too much water and make the Yum Yum soggy.
Can I freeze this dessert? It is not recommended to freeze this dessert. The freezing and thawing process alters the texture of the cream cheese and whipped cream, and the pie fillings may become watery and separate. It is best enjoyed fresh from the refrigerator within 3 to 5 days.