Memorial Day Traditions and a Patriotic (NoBake) Cheesecake

     Hey y'all! I don't know about you, but our (homeschooling) household is CRAZY this time of year with summer right around the corner.  I'm so thankful for this holiday weekend to relax and slow down a little with my family.  I fully intend to get as much "project time" and time in the sun in as possible!
      After a few hours in the pool today, we're having our big Memorial Day cookout, for which I have put together my FAVORITE project this weekend- my husband's favorite dessert- a Red, White, and Blueberry (NoBake) Cheesecake! White chocolate, strawberries and blueberries come together to form the yummiest (and easiest) semi-homemade dessert ever!  It's so good I almost want to make two (one for the party- and one for me and my husband that we don't have to share!)


Red, White, and Blueberry NoBake Cheesecake

Prep time: 20 minutes

You will need:

• White Baking Chocolate (4oz at least)

• Whole Fresh Strawberries (8 strawberries halved lengthwise, and 3/4 Cup Strawberries sliced) 

• Graham Cracker Crust

• 3/4 Cup Confectioners Sugar (Powdered Sugar) 

• 3/4 Cup Skim Milk

• 1 Cup Cool Whip or 1 can Whipped Cream

• 8 oz. reduced fat Cream Cheese (softened, cut into cubes)

• 1 package (3.3oz) of Jello Instant White Chocolate Pudding (I use the sugar free kind)

• Handful of Fresh or Frozen blueberries  

• Waxed Paper

• Cookie Sheet 

 To make:

Prepare cookie sheet covered with wax paper.

Then, in the microwave or heavy sauce pan, melt white chocolate and stir until smooth.  Dip the bottom half of each halved strawberry in melted white chocolate.  Place cut side down on waxed paper and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until set.  Spread the remaining melted chocolate over the bottom and sides of crust.  Arrange sliced strawberries over bottom of pie. (Feel free to add blueberries as a second layer here too.  Makes for even yummier pie.)

In a  mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar til smooth. Gradually add milk, mix well. Beat in pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes or until thickened (consistency will be sticky but spreadable-if necessary add tiny bit of milk or powdered sugar to adjust).  Spread evenly over sliced strawberries and seal to edges. Place blueberries in a circle on center top of pie.  Arranged sliced strawberries dipped in chocolate all around edge with dipped tips facing outwards.  Use cool whip or whipped cream to garnish between blueberries and strawberries.  Refrigerate until served. 

It's that easy!  If you try it, please let me know how yours turned out! If you have any questions, please ask!
     During all of your celebration time this weekend, please don't forget the most important part of Memorial Day is remembering our fallen heroes who made our great country what it is (and the Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty). My husband and I make it a point to keep Monday special- just for our family- and we take the children for an annual trip to the National Cemetery here in Jacksonville and to another local cemetery where many veterans are buried.  Often we take flags for the graves of our friends, or the children will write a thank you note and leave it for the family on the grave of a service member.  What are your Memorial Day traditions, and how do you appreciate the Gold Star families in your area?  God Bless You all this holiday weekend, and God Bless America!