Red, White and Blue Dessert

Prepare the walnut crust by finely chopping the walnuts and pressing them firmly into the bottom and sides of a tart or pie pan to form an even base layer. Refrigerate the crust for 15 minutes to help it set.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, then gradually add the sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until fully combined and creamy.

If needed, add a small amount of water, one tablespoon at a time, to the cream cheese mixture to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency without making it too thin.

Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the prepared walnut crust, smoothing the top with a spatula to create a flat white layer.

Arrange the red berries such as strawberries or raspberries and blue berries such as blueberries on top of the cream cheese layer in a decorative patriotic pattern, separating the colors to create a red, white, and blue visual effect.

Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to firm up and the flavors to meld together before serving.

Slice and serve chilled, garnishing each piece with any remaining berries or a light dusting of powdered sugar if desired.