4th of July Picnic

Parades, picnics, and fireworks… Our forth of July celebration, is this weekend and it’s always a blast. My family’s tradition is to do a potluck picnic. Everyone gets to make their specialty dish and share it with the whole family. My Mom makes the best tuna salad and my sister’s cheezy potatoes are unforgettable. I bring a layered fruit salad, it’s patriotic and the kids love it!

Here’s my recipe…

16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

12 tablespoons powdered sugar

2 cup whipping cream

3 teaspoons lemon juice (fresh)

4 cups blueberries

4 cups strawberries

Fresh mint leaves (to garnish)

In a medium mixing bowl, place the cream cheese, lemon juice, and powdered sugar. Whip with an electric mixer until fluffy. Slowly add whipping cream, a little at a time, and continue beating until the cream is incorporated and the mixture is fluffy. Into a large glass bowl, spoon a layer of blueberries into the bowl, then a layer of whipped cream mixture. Add some strawberries or raspberries, then another layer of whipped cream. Continue until the bowl is full, then garnish with mint leaves.

If you don’t feel like being in the kitchen, here are some great patriotic desert items that are sure to please the crowd. http://www.fruitfreshup.com/catalog.asp?prodid=628238&showprevnext=1 http://www.fruitfreshup.com/catalog.asp?prodid=627450&showprevnext=1

Grab your lawn chair and let the fireworks begin!