No Bake Berry Chantilly Flag Cake
I give you permission to steal this cake recipe for your Fourth of July dessert. This No Bake Berry Chantilly Flag Cake is light and elegant, layered with fresh berries, fluffy cream and ladyfingers. No oven required. Inspired by the famous cake from Whole Foods.
Why you'll love my Berry Chantilly recipe
Perfect Fourth of July dessert
This patriotic red, white and blue dessert is most popular Fourth of July desserts because it’s refreshing and easy to prepare ahead of time.
No oven required
This no bake cake is perfect for summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
Easy to make
The easiest make ahead cake recipe for spring or summer gatherings. Prep time is under 30 minutes.
Refreshing & light
Serve chilled with lots of fruit.
What is chantilly cream?
Chantilly cream is a lightly sweetened whipped cream with vanilla. Unlike traditional frosting, in this recipe I used cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. This combination creates a stable yet flavorful frosting that pair perfect with the soft ladyfingers and fresh fruit.
Ingredients and substitutions
Fresh berries: A good variety of blue and red fruit to create the iconic American flag.
Jam: Use high-quality jam. I like blueberry, marionberry or mixed berries. Combined with smashed raspberries for the fruity layer between the cake.
Condensed milk and milk: Both used to soak the ladyfingers.
Ladyfingers: I love using lady fingers because it’s basically dried up cake!
Mascarpone and cream cheese: Stabilizes the chantilly cream and adds more depth in flavor.
Heavy cream: Used for the cream cheese frosting.
Powdered sugar: Ladyfingers are naturally not very sweet. Powdered sugar helps balance the cream and cake layers.
Vanilla extract and almond extract: Adds an extract touch of flavor iconic to chantilly cakes.
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe index card below!
How to make Berry Chantilly Flag Cake
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For the full recipe details, see recipe index card below!
Prepare the chantilly cream
In a large mixing bowl, add the softened mascarpone and cream cheese. Beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Beat cold cheeses for 2-3 minutes. This extra step helps prevent clumps.
Add 1/2 of the heavy whipping cream and beat until combined. When adding the last half of the heavy cream, also add the powdered sugar, almond extract and vanilla extract. Whip for 2-3 minutes or until soft peaks form. Do not overmix. Taste and adjust sugar as needed.
Make the jam layer and milk mixture
In a medium bowl, add jam and fresh raspberries. Smash and mix until combined. In a separate bowl, add condensed milk and whole milk. Stir to combine until dissolved.
Build the first layer
Lightly dip each lady finger in the milk mixture. Arrange in a single layer in a 9″x13″ pan.
Add the cream
Top with 1/3 of the cream of the chantilly cream over the ladyfingers. Use an offset spatula to spread a smooth even layer.
Add the jam
Spread the entire jam over the cream into an even layer.
Repeat the layers
Continue layering the ladyfingers and 1/3 of the chantilly cream. Make sure to reserve enough for the final layer.
How to decorate the flag cake
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For the full recipe details, see recipe index card below!
Smooth the top layer
Use an offset spatula to make sure the top layer is smooth.
Create the flag outline
Use the tip of a knife or a toothpick to outline the sections of the flag. Create a rectangle in the upper left corner and 3 horizontal even lines.
Layer the blue section
Layer the blackberries and blueberries in the corner.
Pipe the white stripes
Use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe thick straight lines on the horizontal outlines.
Layer the red fruit
Arrange the strawberries, raspberries and cherries in between the white frosting.
Cover and refrigerate
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for best results. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
How long do I need to chill Berry Chantilly Cake?
For best results, refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This gives enough time for the ladyfingers to absorb the surrounding moisture from the cream and jam.
What is the best liquid for dipping ladyfingers?
For the most flavorful results, dip in sweetened condensed milk mixture or a simple syrup.
How long should I dip the ladyfingers?
Dip each ladyfinger for only 1-2 seconds. They absorb liquid quickly and over-soaking can make the dessert too soft and ruin the layers.
How to store leftover Berry Chantilly Cake
No Bake Berry Chantilly Cake is a delicious make-ahead recipe. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze once soaked.
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For more cake recipes, be sure to check out my Tres Leches Cake and Strawberry Tiramisu!
No Bake Berry Chantilly Flag Cake
Equipment
- 1x 9"x13" pan
Ingredients
- 35-40 ladyfingers
- 4 cups fresh berries (blackberries, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, raspberries)
For the frosting:
- 1 package / 8 ounces of cream cheese softened
- 1 container / 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, may substitute with cream cheese softened
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar taste and adjust sweetness as needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, a little bit goes a long way
For the jam layer
- 1/2 cup mixed berry jam, add more as needed
- 1½ cup fresh raspberries, add more as needed
For the milk soak mixture:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 can condensed milk
Instructions
Prepare the chantilly cream
- In a large mixing bowl, add the softened mascarpone and cream cheese. Beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Beat cold cheeses for 2-3 minutes. This helps reduce risk of clumps!1 container / 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, may substitute with cream cheese, 1 package / 8 ounces of cream cheese
- Add half of the heavy whipping cream and beat until combined.3 cups heavy whipping cream
- When you add the last half of the heavy cream, add powdered sugar, almond extract and vanilla extract. Whip for 1-2 minutes until soft peaks form but the cream is able to hold its shape. Do not overmix. Taste and adjust sugar as needed. Keep in mind - the jam layer and the lady fingers will be sweet too. Do not add too much sugar to the cream!1¼ cups powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, a little bit goes a long way, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Make the jam layer and milk mixture
- In a medium bowl, add jam and fresh raspberries. Smash and mix until combined. You can blend the fruit and jam to make it less chunky.1/2 cup mixed berry jam, add more as needed, 1½ cup fresh raspberries, add more as needed
- In a separate bowl, add milk and condensed milk. Whisk to combine until dissolved.2 cups whole milk, 1/2 can condensed milk
Assemble the layers
- Lightly dip each lady finger in the milk mixture. Arrange in a single layer in a 9"x13" pan. Squeeze in as many as you can without breaking the ladyfingers. Once they sit for a bit, you can push them together as it softens from the milk.35-40 ladyfingers
- Top with 1/3 of the cream of the chantilly cream over the ladyfingers. Use an offset spatula to spread a smooth even layer, covering any exposed ladyfingers.
- Spread the entire jam and fruit mixture over the cream into an even layer.
- Continue layering the ladyfingers and 1/3 of the chantilly cream. The other 1/3 is for the stripes. Make sure to reserve enough for the final layer and the "white flag" stripes.
Create the flag design
- Use an offset spatula to make sure the top layer is smooth.
- Use the tip of a knife or a toothpick to outline the sections of the flag. Create a rectangle in the upper left corner and 3 horizontal even lines.
- Layer the blackberries and blueberries in the upper left corner.
- Use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe thick straight lines on the horizontal outlines. If you don't have a star tip, you can cut the corner of a plastic piping bag or ziploc bag and create lines instead.
- Arrange raspberries in between the white frosting. I suggest not decorating with cut slices of strawberries or cut cherries until the day of to preserve freshness of the cut fruit!4 cups fresh berries (blackberries, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, raspberries)
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Be careful not to smash the decorative frosting on top. On the day of serving, arrange the empty spots with freshly cut strawberries and cherries. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
The provided nutritional value above is an estimate per serving. 100% accuracy is not guarenteed. Please see Nutrition Information Disclaimer in our Privacy Policy.
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
2 Responses
Definitely worth the overnight wait! Super delicious. Only thing I would do different (personal preference) is less jam or less sugar so it’s a little less sweet. Definitely will be making again
Thank you for your feedback! I will note of this in the recipe. 🙂