4th of July desserts are a highlight of any Independence Day celebration. They bring color, flavor, and fun to the festivities, making them a favorite for kids and grandparents. The perfect 4th of July desserts can make any event more memorable, from a big barbecue to a small family get-together. Here are some delicious and easy-to-make dessert ideas that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
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Red, White, and Blueberry 4th of July Trifle Dessert
A trifle is a fantastic dessert that’s as impressive as it is easy. Start with layers of angel food cake, fresh blueberries, strawberries, and a creamy mixture of whipped cream and vanilla pudding. The result is a light and refreshing treat that looks beautiful with its patriotic colors. This dessert is perfect for those hot July days, and it can also be prepared ahead of time, freeing you up to enjoy the celebration.
Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 angel food cake, cut into cubes
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
Instructions:
- Prepare the pudding mix according to package instructions using the cold milk. Fold in the whipped topping until well combined.
- In a trifle bowl or large clear bowl, layer 1/3 of the angel food cake cubes.
- Add a layer of blueberries, followed by a layer of the pudding mixture.
- Add a layer of strawberries.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of berries on top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 angel food cake cut into cubes
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pint strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 package 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 container 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
- Prepare the pudding mix according to package instructions using the cold milk. Fold in the whipped topping until well combined.
- In a trifle bowl or large clear bowl, layer 1/3 of the angel food cake cubes.
- Add a layer of blueberries followed by a layer of the pudding mixture.
- Add a layer of strawberries.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of berries on top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Patriotic Popsicles
Homemade popsicles are a hit with kids and adults alike. Layer red, white, and blue ingredients for a patriotic twist. You can use strawberry purée for the red layer, coconut milk for the white layer, and blueberry purée for the blue layer. These popsicles are not only delicious, but also a fun way to cool down. Plus, they’re a healthier option compared to store-bought popsicles.
Patriotic 4th of July Popsicle Dessert Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and puréed
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup blueberries, puréed
- 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
- Popsicle molds and sticks
Instructions:
- Pour the strawberry purée into the popsicle molds, filling them one-third of the way. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Pour the coconut milk over the frozen strawberry layer, filling the molds another third. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Pour the blueberry purée over the frozen coconut milk layer, filling the molds to the top. Insert sticks and freeze until completely solid, at least 4 hours.
- Run warm water over the molds to release the popsicles when ready to serve.
Patriotic Popsicles
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and pureed
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup blueberries pureed
- 2 tablespoons honey optional
- Popsicle molds and sticks
Instructions
- Pour the strawberry puree into the popsicle molds, filling them one-third of the way. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Pour the coconut milk over the frozen strawberry layer, filling the molds another third. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Pour the blueberry puree over the frozen coconut milk layer, filling the molds to the top. Insert sticks and freeze until completely solid, at least 4 hours.
- Run warm water over the molds to release the popsicles when ready to serve.
Star-Spangled Sugar Cookies: 4th of July Dessert
Sugar cookies are a classic dessert that can easily be dressed up for the 4th of July. Use star-shaped cookie cutters and decorate the cookies with red, white, and blue icing. You can also add some festive sprinkles for extra flair. These cookies are perfect for baking with kids, as they’ll love cutting out the shapes and also decorating them. They’re also great for sharing with neighbors or bringing to a party.
Star-Spangled Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons buttermilk
- Red, white, and blue icing
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and also baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Add buttermilk as needed to make the dough soft, not wet.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into star shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are golden. Cool on wire racks.
- Once cool, decorate with red, white, and blue icing and sprinkles.
Star-Spangled Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons buttermilk
- Red white, and blue icing
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Add buttermilk as needed to make the dough soft, not wet.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into star shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are golden. Cool on wire racks.
- Once cool, decorate with red, white, and blue icing and sprinkles.
Berry Parfait
A berry parfait is a simple yet elegant dessert that highlights the fresh fruits of summer. Layer Greek yogurt with blueberries, strawberries, and a drizzle of honey. You can also add a bit of granola for crunch. This dessert is not only tasty, but also on the healthier side, making it a great option if you’re looking to balance out some of the heavier barbecue dishes.
4th of July Dessert: Firecracker Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie treats are always a crowd-pleaser, and they’re easy to customize for any occasion. For the 4th of July, you can add red and blue food coloring to different batches of the treat mixture. Then, layer them together for a fun and colorful dessert. These treats are quick to make and perfect for bringing to a potluck or picnic.
Flag Cake
A flag cake is a showstopper that’s surprisingly easy to make. Use a simple sheet cake recipe and frost it with white icing. Then, use blueberries for the stars and strawberries for the stripes. This cake not only looks festive, but also tastes delicious. It’s a fun project to do with the family, and it makes a great centerpiece for your dessert table.
Homemade Flag Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Decoration:
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until well combined.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- Decorate the Cake:
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread a layer of the frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
- In the upper left corner of the cake, arrange the blueberries in a rectangular shape to represent the stars of the American flag.
- Place the sliced strawberries in rows across the cake to represent the stripes of the flag. Alternate rows of strawberries with rows of plain white frosting to mimic the flag’s design.
- Serve:
- Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Tips:
- For a lighter option, you can substitute the frosting with fresh whipped cream.
- You can lightly mark the areas where the blueberries and strawberries will go with a toothpick before placing them on the frosting to ensure a more precise flag design.
Enjoy your homemade 4th of July Flag Dessert Cake for a delicious and festive 4th of July celebration!
Flag Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk at room temperature
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Decoration
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pint strawberries hulled and sliced
Instructions
Prepare the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until well combined.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- If the frosting is too thick, add more heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
Decorate the Cake
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread a layer of the frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
- In the upper left corner of the cake, arrange the blueberries in a rectangular shape to represent the stars of the American flag.
- Place the sliced strawberries in rows across the cake to represent the stripes of the flag. Alternate rows of strawberries with rows of plain white frosting to mimic the flag’s design.
Serve
- Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For a lighter option, you can substitute the frosting with fresh whipped cream.
- You can lightly mark the areas where the blueberries and strawberries will go with a toothpick before placing them on the frosting to ensure a more precise flag design.
Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars
Cheesecake bars are rich and creamy, and they can be made even more special with a patriotic twist. Swirl in some blueberry and strawberry purée to create a marbled effect. These bars are easy to serve and can also be made ahead of time, making them a convenient option for your celebration.
Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup blueberry puree
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree
- Red and blue food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the pan to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Divide the cream cheese mixture into three bowls. Leave one plain, mix one with blueberry puree (and blue food coloring if using), and one with strawberry puree (and red food coloring if using).
- Drop spoonfuls of each mixture over the crust and swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the center is set. Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup blueberry puree
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree
- Red and blue food coloring optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the pan to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Divide the cream cheese mixture into three bowls. Leave one plain, mix one with blueberry puree (and blue food coloring if using), and one with strawberry puree (and red food coloring if using).
- Drop spoonfuls of each mixture over the crust and swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the center is set. Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
Patriotic Fruit Salad
A fruit salad can be both beautiful and refreshing. Use a mix of strawberries, blueberries, and bananas to create a red, white, and blue theme. You can also add a bit of mint for a fresh flavor. This salad is a light and healthy dessert option, perfect for balancing out the more indulgent dishes.
Sparkler Cupcakes
Cupcakes are always a fun and festive choice. Bake your favorite flavor of cupcakes and top them with red, white, and blue frosting. For an extra touch, you can add some edible glitter or small sparkler candles. These cupcakes are great for parties, and they’re sure to impress both kids and adults.
4th of July Firework Fruit Dessert Kabobs
Fruit kabobs are an easy and fun dessert that’s perfect for the 4th of July. Use wooden skewers to thread strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows. You can arrange the kabobs on a platter in the shape of a firework for a festive presentation. These kabobs are easy to eat and make a great addition to any dessert spread.
Firework Fruit Kabobs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 bag mini marshmallows
- Wooden skewers
Instructions:
- Wash and prepare the fruit.
- Thread strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows onto the skewers in a repeating pattern.
- Arrange the skewers on a platter to resemble a firework burst.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Firework Fruit Kabobs
Ingredients
- 1 pint strawberries hulled
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 bag mini marshmallows
- Wooden skewers
Instructions
- Wash and prepare the fruit.
- Thread strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows onto the skewers in a repeating pattern.
- Arrange the skewers on a platter to resemble a firework burst.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Frozen Yogurt Bark
Frozen yogurt bark is a healthy and refreshing treat that’s easy to customize. Spread a layer of Greek yogurt on a baking sheet and sprinkle with blueberries, strawberries, and a bit of honey. Freeze until firm, then break into pieces. This dessert is perfect for hot summer days and can be made ahead of time.
Red, White, and Blue Jello Cups
Jello cups are a fun and colorful dessert that kids love. Layer red, white, and blue jello in clear cups for a festive look. You can add a bit of whipped cream on top for extra sweetness. These jello cups are easy to make and perfect for serving at parties.
4 of the July Patriotic Oreo Pops Desserts
Oreo pops are a fun and easy dessert that’s always a hit. Dip Oreo cookies in white chocolate and decorate with red and blue sprinkles. You can also add a lollipop stick to make them easier to eat. These pops are great for parties and make a fun activity for kids.
Blueberry and Strawberry Shortcakes
Shortcakes are a classic summer dessert, and they’re easy to adapt for the 4th of July. Use fresh blueberries and strawberries to create a red, white, and blue theme. The shortcakes can be made ahead of time, and you can assemble the dessert just before serving for maximum freshness.
American Flag Brownies
Brownies are a beloved dessert, and you can make them extra special for the 4th of July. Bake a batch of your favorite brownies and top with white icing. Use blueberries and strawberries to create a flag pattern on top. These brownies are rich, chocolatey, and sure to be a hit at any celebration.
Final Thoughts on 4th of July Desserts
Each of these desserts brings a little something special to your 4th of July celebration. They’re all easy to make, and they add a festive touch to the day. Whether you’re looking for something healthy, something indulgent, or something fun, there’s a dessert here for you. So, get in the kitchen, have fun, and enjoy the sweet treats with your family and friends.
