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4th of July Brownies

4th of July brownies made with dense, fudgy baked squares topped with thick white vanilla frosting and an American flag design. Sliced strawberries form red stripes with visible gaps, while a tightly packed blueberry rectangle creates the blue canton.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
cooling 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brownie base
  • 1 fudge brownie mix Use a 9x13 pan brownie mix (include any mix-required ingredients as directed on the box if needed).
White vanilla frosting
  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tbsp butter softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 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 the brownies
  1. Heat oven to the temperature listed on the fudge brownie mix box and bake brownies in a 9x13 pan according to package directions until set in the center. Let cool completely for at least 1 hour so the frosting won’t melt.
Make the frosting
  1. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk together until smooth and spreadable, adding milk a little at a time as needed for a thick but smooth texture. Stop when the frosting holds its shape when spread.
Frost and decorate
  1. Spread the cream cheese frosting in an even layer over the cooled brownies, smoothing the surface all the way to the edges. Use gentle pressure so the brownie base stays intact.
Form the blue canton
  1. In the upper left corner, arrange a rectangle of blueberries tightly packed to form the canton. Press lightly so the berries adhere to the frosting.
Add the red stripes
  1. Create red stripes across the rest of the brownies using rows of sliced strawberries laid flat. Keep rows straight so the pattern reads clearly after slicing.
Add the white stripes
  1. Leave alternating gaps between strawberry rows as the white stripe showing through the frosting. Aim for consistent spacing from row to row for a clean flag look.
Chill and serve
  1. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the frosting, then cut into squares and serve. Chill again if the topping feels soft when slicing.

Notes

Pro tip: cool the brownies until fully room temperature (at least 1 hour) before frosting for clean strawberry/blueberry placement. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze cut brownies in a sealed container up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese in the frosting (texture stays thick, though slightly softer).