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4th of July Brownies

4th of July brownies with a dense, fudgy brownie base and a thick layer of white vanilla frosting. Decorate with sliced strawberries and blueberries into a bold American flag pattern for an easy Independence Day dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling + setting 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brownies (use box mix per package or homemade)
  • 1 fudge brownie mix Use 1 box; follow the package directions for the water/eggs/any oil or butter listed.
White vanilla frosting
  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 oz cream cheese Softened.
  • 2 tbsp butter Softened.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2.5 tbsp milk Add 2–3 tbsp as needed for spreadable consistency.
Flag topping
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries Sliced.
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake and cool the brownies
  1. Heat the oven and bake the brownies in a 9x13 pan according to the fudge brownie mix package directions, until set. Let cool completely for at least 1 hour so the frosting won’t melt.
Make the white vanilla frosting
  1. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk together until smooth and spreadable. Add milk in 1-tbsp increments as needed to reach a thick, spreadable texture.
Frost and decorate as an American flag
  1. Spread the cream cheese frosting in an even layer over the cooled brownies. Press gently so the top is level for clean decoration.
Add the blue canton
  1. In the upper left corner, arrange a rectangle of blueberries tightly packed to form the canton. Keep edges squared off for clear flag separation.
Add the red stripes
  1. Create red stripes across the rest of the brownies using rows of sliced strawberries laid flat. Lay rows in straight lines, starting from the top and working downward.
Show the white stripes
  1. Leave alternating gaps between strawberry rows so the white frosting shows through. Aim for consistent spacing so the pattern looks even across the pan.
Set, cut, and serve
  1. Refrigerate the brownies for 30 minutes to set the frosting. Then cut into squares and serve chilled or at cool room temperature.

Notes

Pro tip: For the cleanest flag pattern, slice strawberries evenly (about the same thickness) and keep the brownies fully cooled before frosting. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days; freeze frosted brownies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese to keep the frosting thick while lowering calories.