Fourth of July is a patriotic holiday in the U.S. commemorating the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
The holiday falls in the midst of summer and calls for family gatherings with picnics, barbecues, fruity cocktails, fireworks, and relaxed outdoor fun. So, gather the family . . . get out the grill . . . sit back . . . and celebrate your freedom with some sweet treats in patriotic red, white, and blue.
All-American red, white, and blue
Watermelon, Feta, and Blueberry Flag is a healthy snack . . . and it looks good on the table, too. The soft, creamy cheese is perfect with the sweet, juicy melon and berries. Use star-shaped melon for an even sweeter presentation. (Photo: Home is Where the Boat Is)
For Melon Stars, slice watermelon using a cookie cutter to shape the stars. Super easy! . . . then pair the melon stars with blueberries and sliced strawberries for a colorful salad.
Have fun with cupcakes and fondant by adding patriotic stars and stripes; then arrange your Independence Day Cupcakes to form a flag. (Photo: Diary of a Ladybird)
Create Star-Spangled Pound Cake by giving ordinary pound cake the star treatment for any patriotic celebration. (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)
These colorful Pretzel Sparklers will dazzle your guests; and, like the real thing, will disappear quickly . . . in a few bites. (Photo: Martha Stewart)
Stuffed strawberries—filled with Mascarpone cheese and topped with a blueberry—are a delightful little treat that WILL disappear fast. (Photo: Gina Marie’s Kitchen)
Strawberries, dipped in chocolate and drizzled with patriotic color or coated in star sprinkles, are wonderfully decadent.
For an awesome variation and red-white-blue perfection, dip two-thirds of the strawberry in white chocolate and the bottom with blue sparkles. (Photo: All Recipes)
Add a few red and blue sprinkles (or jimmies) to vanilla cake batter and frosting, and you have a festive Fourth of July Cupcake that could not be easier to make. (Photo: Bakerella)
Stars and Stripes Cake Pops
Ingredients
1 box of your favorite cake mix
1 can prepared vanilla frosting
Wilton Candy Melts (Blue)
Wilton Candy Melts (Red)
Wilton Candy Melts (White)
White nonpareils/sprinkles
Waxed paper
Lollipop sticks
Instructions
- Bake cake as directed on package.
- When cake is finished, break it into crumbs by hand in a large bowl. Mix in a full can of frosting until well-blended.
- Roll cake mixture into 1-inch balls and place on waxed paper.
- Melt candy melts as directed.
- Dip a lollipop stick about 1/2 inch into white melted candy, and insert the stick into rounded part of cake ball. Repeat for remaining cake balls.
- Place cake pops in freezer for about 10 minutes, or in refrigerator for 20 minutes, to firm.
- Once cake pops are firm, remove from frig-freezer and dip each into melted chocolate, tapping excess chocolate off. For 15 stars, use blue . . . for stripes, red.
- Prop up pops, cake end down on waxed paper while chocolate is still slightly warm, so candy hardens into a flat surface at the top (to help pops stand for serving).
- Finish blue pops with white nonpareils before chocolate hardens.
- Drizzle melted white candy melts over red pops after chocolate has hardened.
- Line pops up on a tray to create the flag.
Makes 50 pops.
A festive layered Vanilla Cake with Buttercream, Berries, and Jam is great for presentation at any Fourth of July party. (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)
This pretty patriotic Independence Day Cake sure gets your attention! Red, white, and blue layers of cake are slathered with marshmallow butter cream frosting and decorated with summer-fresh blueberries and strawberries. (Photo: Unusual 2 Tasty)
Red, White, and Blueberry Poke Cake
Opt for simple decorating on the outside, knowing the “wow factor” will be on the inside. (Photo: Taste of Home)
This 4th of July Flag Cake is another way to put the patriotic in each slice. (Photo: Glorious Treats)
Top a white iced cake with fresh fruit for this red, white, and blueberry patriotic masterpiece. (Photo: Jenny Steffens)
Welcome the 4th of July with colorful pre-cut flag shaped cookies. (Photo: Pillsbury)
Patriotic Rice Krispies Treats
With the help of a little fondant, you can take classic Rice Krispies treats to a whole new level.
This easy no-bake patriotic dessert combines three layers of tasty, nostalgic Rice Krispies cut into stars for that extra wow factor. (Recipe: Fantabulosity)
Store-bought Rice Krispies treats dipped in melted candy and decorated. What could be easier? (Recipe: Life Love and Sugar)
Frosted Rice Krispies with star sprinkles and Twizzler stripes. (Recipe: Passion for Savings)
Chocolate Cookie Candy Pretzel Bark
A decadent combination of Oreos and pretzels smothered in melted white chocolate, then topped with candy-coated chocolates and some patriotic sprinkles. (Recipe: A Family Feast)
Patriotic Berry Trifle—a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries with creamy vanilla and cubed pound cake—makes a simple and delicious dessert. (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)
For a sweet treat that doesn’t pack on the pounds, try this Red, White, and Blue Parfait
with layered blueberries, low-fat vanilla yogurt, and strawberries. (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)
These Patriotic Parfaits have two kinds of smooth gelatin—red currant and panna cotta, which is made with cream— and are topped with currants and blueberries. (Photo: Martha Stewart)
Show your pride with Red, White, and Blueberry Sundaes. Prep the gelatin in advance and finish it off with whipped cream and fresh berries right before serving.
For a classic Jell-O Firecracker, two layers of bright, berry-flavored gelatin enclose a center layer of creamy vanilla. (Photo: Delish)
Mini star-shape sugar cookies sit atop this Fourth of July Fruit Tart with festive raspberries and blueberries for the ultimate patriotic dessert. (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens)
A fruity, cream-filled Star-Spangled Shortcake salutes Old Glory while putting a new spin on classic summer fare. (Photo: Martha Stewart)
What’s more American than apple pie? Try this delicious deep-dish Strawberry Raspberry Pie for an awesome change of pace. (Recipe: Driscoll’s Berries)
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