Quick'n'easy U.s. Flag Gelatin Dessert

This gelatin dessert can actually be ready to present in half an hour, yet is beautifully elegant for U.S. patriotic holiday gatherings. I came up with the idea when I'd forgotten that I was supposed to bring my usual Flag Cake to a 4th of July picnic during a very hectic time. I had lots of red gelatin and berries on hand, but no pound cake, no whipped topping in the house, no time to go to the store, and only an hour to have something ready. Here it is...

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 24 2-inch squares

Ingredients

• 2  pints strawberries
• 1 1⁄3 cups blueberries, divided
• 1  banana
• 3 1⁄2 ounces  large box red gelatin, any flavor
• 2  cups boiling water
• 12  ice cubes

• Whipped Topping of choice

• EITHER

• 12  ounces frozen non-dairy topping, thawed or 12  ounces  real  whipped cream

• OR the following

• 1  cup  powdered  non-dairy coffee creamer
• 1⁄4 cup  cold milk (OR water)
• 1  tablespoon  cold lemon juice concentrate
• 3  tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. IF making whipped topping from powdered coffee creamer, put mixing bowl, beaters, measuring cup and measuring spoons in the freezer to chill thoroughly. Note: Also see Step #4.
2. While boiling water for gelatin, hull strawberries, slice enough to make 1 cup, cut the rest into halves. Also slice 1 banana.
3. In a 13"x9"x2" baking pan, dissolve 1 large (3-1/2 oz.) box of gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water. Stir to thoroughly dissolve, about 2 minutes.
4. IF making whipped topping from powdered coffee creamer, pour 1/4 cup milk OR water into measuring cup and return to the freezer; then measure 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into the mixing bowl, and return to freezer until gelatin is prepared. Do NOT mix lemon juice directly with milk!
5. When gelatin is completely dissolved, add 12 ice cubes and continue stirring until gelatin is "soft set," about 4 minutes (gelatin will be somewhat "lumpy"). Remove unmelted ice pieces.
6. Add 1 cup of blueberries, sliced strawberries and all sliced banana to the gelatin. Stir to distribute fruit throughout.
7. IF making whipped topping from powdered coffee creamer, cover gelatin with plastic wrap and chill in fridge. OTHERWISE skip to next step -.
8. Spread whipped topping of choice evenly over the gelatin. Arrange remaining blueberries to form a square in one corner, and arrange the halved strawberries in 4-5 lines about an inch and a half apart, making the "Stars and Bars" of the U.S. flag.
9. To serve: Cut into squares of about 2 inches.
10. TO MAKE WHIPPED TOPPING FROM POWDERED NON-DAIRY COFFEE CREAMER: Remove all equipment and liquid ingredients from the freezer.
11. Pour 1 cup powdered non-dairy coffee creamer over COLD lemon juice.
12. Pour COLD milk (OR water) over powdered creamer. Do NOT mix milk directly into lemon juice or milk will sour.
13. Using FREEZER-CHILLED beaters, beat lemon juice, creamer and milk on high speed about 1 minute or until soft peaks form.
14. Gradually beat in sugar; continue beating about another 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
15. Spread over top of gelatin-fruit mixture, and follow Steps #8 & #9.