Bring a spectacular and sweet close to your patriotic festivities with this show-stopping American Flag Pie. Bursting with the vibrant flavors of sweet cherries and tangy blueberries, crowned with a sparkling sugar-sprinkled crust, this star-spangled dessert is as fun to make as it is delicious to eat! It’s the ultimate edible tribute to the red, white, and blue, perfect for any national celebration.

American Flag Pie: A Delicious Tribute to Patriotism

While many proclaim that nothing is more American than apple pie, allow us to present a truly worthy contender that might just steal the spotlight: our magnificent American Flag Pie. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration in itself, a vibrant centerpiece that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of national holidays. Imagine serving a dessert that not only tastes incredible but also proudly displays the colors and symbols of freedom. This recipe offers an irresistibly festive and incredibly delicious way to honor any occasion that calls for a display of red, white, and blue.

From the solemn commemorations of Memorial Day to the joyous fireworks of the Fourth of July, and the end-of-summer gatherings on Labor Day, this pie is designed to impress. It’s even a wonderful treat to share with loved ones in service on Veterans Day, offering a sweet moment of appreciation. This is one of those desserts that guarantees gasps of delight and appreciative murmurs from any crowd, making it an instant favorite at family cookouts, block parties, and patriotic potlucks. And as for its flavor? Prepare for a symphony of tastes: sweet-tart cherries mingling with juicy blueberries, all encased in a flaky, golden crust kissed with sparkling sugar. It’s the perfect sweet finale to a day of festivities, especially when served à la mode with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

Semi-Homemade Perfection: Deliciously Simple & Impressive

We firmly believe that pre-made pie crusts are an absolute lifesaver in the kitchen. They offer unparalleled convenience and, when chosen wisely, can be nearly as exquisite as a painstakingly homemade dough. Of course, if you possess the time, passion, and skill for baking from scratch, we wholeheartedly encourage you to use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe for this magnificent slab pie. However, for those seeking a quick, simple, yet undeniably impressive dessert, store-bought crusts are your secret weapon. This recipe is specifically designed to leverage the ease of pre-made ingredients without compromising on flavor or presentation.

Crafting this American Flag Pie doesn’t require a culinary degree. The simplicity of using ready-to-bake pie crusts allows you to focus on the fun parts: assembling the patriotic design and enjoying the process. This approach ensures that you can whip up this stunning dessert with minimal stress, making it achievable for bakers of all skill levels. The result is a dessert that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen but can be prepared in a fraction of the time. This slab pie is so easy and delivers such a dazzling impact that you’ll want to make it a staple for all your patriotic holiday celebrations, year after year.

Essential Ingredients & Tools for Your American Flag Pie

Creating this iconic pie is simpler than you might imagine, especially with a few key ingredients and tools at your disposal. Here’s everything you’ll need to transform basic pantry staples into a star-spangled masterpiece:

Pantry Staples & Fresh Ingredients:

• Ready-to-Bake Pie Crusts: You’ll need four standard 9-inch ready-to-bake pie crusts. Opt for brands known for flakiness to ensure a delightful texture. These pre-made crusts are the cornerstone of our “semi-homemade” approach, saving you significant prep time.
• Canned Cherry Pie Filling: Three 20-ounce cans of good quality cherry pie filling will form the striking red stripes of our flag. Look for a filling with whole or halved cherries for better texture and flavor.
• Canned Blueberry Pie Filling: One 20-ounce can of blueberry pie filling will create the blue field for our stars. A rich, dark blueberry filling will provide a beautiful contrast.
• Egg: A single large egg will be used to create an egg wash, giving your crust a beautiful golden sheen and helping the sparkling sugar adhere.
• Water: Just one tablespoon of water, combined with the egg, thins the egg wash to the perfect consistency.
• Sparkling Sugar: Two tablespoons of sparkling sugar are crucial for that dazzling, festive finish. Unlike regular granulated sugar, sparkling sugar has larger crystals that catch the light beautifully and add a delightful crunch. If you don’t have sparkling sugar, coarse turbinado sugar can be a decent substitute for texture, though it won’t have the same iridescent gleam.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:

• 12” x 17” Rimmed Baking Sheet: A sturdy rimmed baking sheet is essential for this slab pie, as it provides the large, flat surface needed to create the flag shape and contains any bubbling pie filling. Ensure it has at least 1-inch high sides.
• Mini Star-Shaped Cookie Cutter: A mini star-shaped cookie cutter, typically about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, is necessary for cutting out the iconic white stars for the blueberry field.
• Pizza Cutter or Sharp Knife: For precise and clean cuts of your pie crust strips. A ruler can also be helpful for ensuring even stripe widths.
• Small Bowl: For whisking together your egg wash.
• Pastry Brush: To evenly apply the egg wash.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: To prepare your baking sheet and prevent sticking.

With these items ready, you’re well on your way to assembling a truly memorable patriotic dessert that will be the talk of your gathering!

Crafting Your Edible Flag: Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to assemble your stunning American Flag Pie. Precision and a little patience will ensure a beautiful and delicious result:

1. Prepare Your Crusts: Begin by letting your ready-to-bake pie crusts sit out at room temperature for approximately 10-15 minutes. This softens the dough slightly, making it more pliable and easier to work with without cracking.
2. Prep the Baking Sheet: Lightly spray a 12” x 17” rimmed baking sheet generously with nonstick cooking spray. This prevents the pie from sticking and ensures easy removal.
3. Form the Bottom Crust: Carefully unroll three of the pie crusts. Lay them onto the prepared baking sheet, overlapping and pressing the seams together firmly to create a single, continuous bottom crust. Trim the dough as necessary to completely cover the sheet pan, allowing about a ½-inch overhang around all edges.
4. Create the Pie Rim: Trim the dough even with the edge of the sheet pan, then gently form a stand-up rim that extends up by ½-inch. You can then flute or crimp the edges of this rim for a decorative finish. This rim will help contain the fruit fillings during baking.
5. Cut the Stars: Gather any excess dough from the bottom crust and re-roll it gently. Using your mini star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out at least 12 small stars. Set these aside. These will adorn the blueberry field.
6. Prepare the Stripes: Unroll the remaining ready-to-bake pie crust. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife and a ruler (for precision), cut this dough into ½-inch wide strips. These strips will form the iconic red and white stripes across the cherry pie filling.
7. Form the Blueberry Barrier: Take one of the longer strips of dough you just cut. Place it carefully in the top left corner of the sheet pan, creating a small rectangular barrier. This section will be filled with blueberry pie filling and topped with the stars, forming the “union” of the flag. Press it gently into the bottom crust to seal.
8. Prepare the Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water until well combined. This is your egg wash. Brush a thin, even layer of this egg wash over the top of the stars and stripes of dough you’ve prepared (the strips and stars you cut out earlier). Set aside any remaining egg wash for later use on the pie’s edges.
9. Fill with Cherry: Carefully pour the three cans of cherry pie filling into the large, main section of the pie crust, spreading it evenly to cover the entire area up to the blueberry barrier and the fluted edges.
10. Fill with Blueberry: Spoon the one can of blueberry pie filling into the small rectangular section you created in the top left corner, spreading it gently to fill the space.
11. Add the Stripes: Arrange five of the ½-inch wide dough strips on top of the cherry pie filling to create the red and white stripes. You may need to connect a few strips end-to-end to make them long enough to span the entire width of the sheet pan. Gently press the ends of the strips into the fluted crust edge to secure them.
12. Place the Stars: Carefully arrange your 12 cut-out dough stars on top of the blueberry pie filling, distributing them evenly to resemble the stars on the American flag.
13. Final Egg Wash: Brush the edges of the pie crust (the fluted rim) with the remaining egg wash. This will help them brown beautifully.
14. Sprinkle with Sugar: Generously sprinkle the sparkling sugar over the stars and stripes of dough. This adds a beautiful shimmer and a delightful crunch once baked.
15. Chill the Pie: Place the entire prepared pie in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to chill. This step is crucial as it helps the crust maintain its shape and prevents excessive shrinking during baking, contributing to a flakier crust.
16. Preheat Oven: While the pie is chilling, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). This high initial temperature helps to set the crust quickly.
17. Bake to Perfection: Bake the pie for about 25-30 minutes, or until the crusts are a rich golden brown and the pie filling is visibly bubbling. Keep a close eye on the pie. If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly before the stars and stripes are golden, gently cover the edges with strips of aluminum foil to prevent burning, and continue baking until the entire top crust reaches the desired golden color.
18. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it set for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to firm up slightly, making for cleaner slices. Serve warm, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy your stunning and delicious American Flag Pie!

Tips for the Perfect American Flag Pie

Achieving a picture-perfect and delicious American Flag Pie is easy with a few insider tips:

• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Whether using store-bought or homemade, handle the pie crusts as little as possible. Overworking the dough develops the gluten, leading to a tough, less flaky crust.
• Seal the Seams Well: When laying the three bottom crusts, ensure you firmly press the overlapping edges together to create a seamless base. This prevents filling from seeping through during baking.
• Even Filling Distribution: Spread the pie fillings evenly. This ensures that each slice gets a good balance of fruit and helps the pie bake uniformly.
• Secure the Stripes and Stars: Gently press the ends of the dough strips into the main crust and ensure the stars are well-placed. The egg wash will help them adhere, but a light press ensures they stay put.
• The Importance of Chilling: Don’t skip the 20-minute chilling step! This allows the butter in the crust to firm up, preventing the dough from shrinking excessively in the oven and resulting in a much flakier texture.
• Monitor Browning: Ovens can vary. Keep a close watch on your pie, especially towards the end of baking. If the edges brown too quickly, tenting them with aluminum foil is a simple trick to protect them while the rest of the pie finishes baking and the fruit filling bubbles.
• Cool Completely (or almost): While tempting to dive in immediately, allowing the pie to cool for at least 10-15 minutes after baking lets the fruit filling set, preventing it from being too runny when sliced. For truly clean slices, allow it to cool even longer, though a slightly warm slice with ice cream is undeniably delightful.

More Patriotic Inspirations for Your Holiday Feast

Planning a memorable spread for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day? This American Flag Pie is just the beginning! We’ve curated a collection of party-perfect patriotic potluck recipes that are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Whether you’re aiming to spark up your celebration with a vibrant patriotic cheese board, a fun party mix that everyone can snack on, or need hearty options like a fully loaded hot dog board to feed a large gathering, you’re sure to find incredible inspiration for a truly fabulous holiday feast. Explore our other festive recipes to complete your red, white, and blue celebration!

Serving and Storing Your American Flag Pie

Once your stunning American Flag Pie emerges from the oven, resist the immediate urge to slice into it. Allowing the pie to set for approximately 10 to 15 minutes after baking is crucial. This cooling period permits the fruit fillings to firm up slightly, ensuring that when you do cut into it, you achieve clean, beautiful slices that hold their shape. The vibrant layers of cherry and blueberry will be perfectly defined, ready for presentation.

For an extra touch of indulgence, serve individual slices with a generous scoop of classic vanilla ice cream. The cool, creamy ice cream melting into the warm, fruity pie is an irresistible combination that elevates this dessert from delightful to absolutely sublime. A dollop of freshly whipped cream also makes for a fantastic accompaniment, adding a light, airy contrast to the rich fillings.

Storing Leftovers:

Should you be lucky enough to have any leftovers of this delectable pie, proper storage will ensure you can enjoy it for days to come.
To store: Cover the cooled pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
You can store it at room temperature for up to two days, especially if your kitchen isn’t excessively warm.
For extended freshness, transfer the covered pie to the refrigerator, where it will keep well for up to five days.
When ready to enjoy a refrigerated slice, you can warm it gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 5-10 minutes to bring back some of its warmth and tenderness.

Share Your Creations!

We absolutely adore seeing the incredible dishes you create using our recipes! If you make this beautiful American Flag Pie, we’d be thrilled if you could snap a picture and share it with us. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @thebakermama so we can admire your culinary artistry. It brings us so much joy to see how inspired and creative you all get with the recipes we share. Happy baking, and enjoy every patriotic bite!

xoxo,

Discover More Fun and Festive Fourth of July Recipes

Beyond this spectacular American Flag Pie, there’s a world of delightful dishes waiting to elevate your Independence Day celebration. Plan an unforgettable Fourth of July feast with our collection of delicious and patriotic recipes. Whether you’re looking to spark up your party with an eye-catching patriotic cheese board and an exciting party mix, or you need hearty options to feed a crowd like a robust hot dog board, you are guaranteed to find some great inspiration for a truly fabulous Fourth of July celebration. Dive into these recipes and make your holiday gathering shine with red, white, and blue flair!