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4th of July Dessert Recipes You’ll Want to Make This Year

June 25, 2020 by Leslie 18 Comments

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Get in the patriotic spirit with these 15 super fun red, white, and blue 4th of July dessert recipes. They’re perfect for a fun day at home, or to bring to the neighborhood BBQ.

A collage of patriotic 4th of July Dessert recipes with the text the best desserts to serve on July 4th

Hi there.

My name is Leslie, and I like to play with my food. 😊

Well, more specifically, I love to see how to make food work within a theme. And one of the most fun themes to work with is July 4th.

Between the abundance of fresh produce that is in season during the summer, and the creative ways you can color your food, there are seriously hundreds of 4th of July dessert recipes you can try.

But you don’t have to worry about that, because I’ve pulled together 15 of the very BEST Patriotic dessert recipes.

Seriously, whether you have 3 hours or 30 minutes to make something fabulous, it’s here.

Here’s what you’ll find below:

  • 6 Last-Minute 4th of July Dessert Recipes: It happens to the best of us…we sign up to bring something to a potluck and then forget about it until the very last minute. No worries! Here are 15 July 4th dessert recipes that can be thrown together at practically the last minute.
  • 6 Show Stopping Patriotic Desserts: Looking for desserts that will be keep your guest talking for weeks to come? These 6 recipes take a bit more effort, but they’re so worth it.
  • 3 Healthy (-ier) Red, White, and Blue Desserts: No one wants to worry about their waistline during summer bathing suit season. These 3 recipes will keep those calories in check, without sacrificing flavor.
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More July 4th Inspiration You’ll Love:

  • DIY Star Shaped Cupcake Stand (Your Guests will be so impressed!)
  • Free Independence Day Party Printables
  • 15 Minute Easy Patriotic Wreath

The Best 4th of July Dessert Recipes

Get in the patriotic spirit with these 15+ super fun red, white, and blue 4th of July dessert recipes. They're perfect for a day at home, or to take to the neighborhood BBQ.

Red White and Blue Stained Glass Jello Cups

Patriotic stained glass jello cups are here! Make your July 4th or Memorial Day unforgettable with these dazzling red, white, and blue treats.

July 4th Brownie Pizza

With a chewy brownie base, tangy cream cheese frosting, and colorful candy fireworks, everyone will ooh and ahh when you bring a July 4th brownie pizza to the neighborhood BBQ.

Red Velvet Cookies with Cake Mix

You're going to love these soft and chewy red velvet cookies made with cake mix. And with the addition of some patriotic M&Ms and star shaped sprinkles, they're the perfect easy treat for your July 4th celebration.

American Flag Cookie Pizza

Transform your dessert table with a show-stopping American Flag Cookie Pizza! It's a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe loaded with fresh fruit and creamy goodness.

Easy Patriotic Snack Mix

If you need something even easier than chocolate bark or fruit kabobs, here you go. Patriotic Snack Mix uses only a few ingredients, and is addictive for everyone in the family. 

July 4th Trifle

Layers of angel food cake, strawberries, creamy cheesecake pudding, and whipped cream come create a stunning patriotic dessert perfect for a crowd.

Red White and Blue Cheesecake Lasagna

Say hello to layers of creamy, dreamy goodness! This Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Lasagna is bursting with flavor and colors for the ultimate holiday treat.

Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches

Red velvet cookie sandwiches are soft, sweet, and the perfect bite sized version of your favorite red velvet cake. Enjoy them for holidays, parties, or even as an afternoon snack.

Red, White, and Blue July 4th Poke Cake

Celebrate the red, white, and blue with this patriotic July 4th poke cake! Fluffy cake is dotted with red and blue jello, and topped with a light but sweet whipped cream frosting. It's perfect for a summer party or picnic!

Candy Coated Pretzel Rods

There's not much easier than dipping pretzel rods into some white chocolate and covering them with red and blue sprinkles. Plus, they're a huge hit with the kids. We served these patriotic pretzel rods at a July 4th party that was filled with sweet treats galore.

Easy Patriotic Bark

Photo Credit: www.whattheforkfoodblog.com

You know, we always think to make chocolate bark during the holidays, but what about for other events? I'm in love with this Easy Patriotic Bark combination. It's a great twist on a true classic!

Patriotic Snack Cakes

Photo Credit: dancingthroughtherain.com

When Dancing Through the Rain submitted their Patriotic Snack Cakes to me, I couldn't wait to share it. Seriously, I've never seen store-bought snack cake look more perfect for Independence Day.

Patriotic Firecracker Fruit Kabobs Recipe

Photo Credit: missiontosave.com

Why is it that things on sticks are instantly more fun? And with no baking required, Firecracker Fruit Kabobs by Mission: to Save, are a treat the kids will gobble up.

RELATED>>>>35+ Patriotic Dessert Ideas for Memorial Day

4th of July Firecracker Jell-O Cups

Photo Credit: cincyshopper.com

Simple and stunning, no one will complain about 4th of July Firecracker Jello Cups. Don't be fooled by the photos, she used 2-oz plastic shot glasses to make just the right serving size!

Surprise-Inside Brownies

Photo Credit: themondaybox.com

It's not what's on the outside of these brownies that will have your guests talking. It's definitely the surprise inside! Head on over to The Monday Box to get all the details for how to make your own Patriotic Surprise Inside Brownies.

Mixed Berry Slab Pie

Go ahead! Bring the flag to your July 4th BBQ. I love that this berry slab pie is covered with flag-inspired pie crust stars. Best of all, it's made slab-style, which is perfect for large get-togethers. Plus, it's just plain gorgeous to boot!

RELATED>>>>Patriotic Paper Luminaries (4 DIY Designs!)

Patriotic Cotton Candy Ice Cream Cone Treats Tutorial

Photo Credit: tikkido.com

Aren't these patriotic cotton candy ice cream cone favors just the cutest?! I know my kids would be fighting over them (and then would gobble them up before the humidity could deflate the cotton candy) So fun!

White Chocolate Raspberry Jello Cake (she: Jana)

Photo Credit: oneshetwoshe.com

The layers on this white chocolate raspberry Jello cake are just incredible, aren't they? You could even try making the top layer with blue raspberry jello for a truly patriotic twist!

Patriotic Cookie and Brownie Crunch

Photo Credit: themondaybox.com

Your guests will wonder how on earth you turned such classic treats into the crispy, crunchy bits of sprinkle covered awesomeness that is patriotic cookie and brownie crunch.

I encourage you to head over and read the whole post. It is a wonderful reminder of why we celebrate our freedom and how important it is to remember our troops.

Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad Dessert

Photo Credit: lowcarbyum.com

I love the idea of bringing something that looks like a crowd-pleaser, but is secretly so healthy for you. And this low carb berry cheesecake salad fits the bill with fresh berries, and just enough dairy to taste the cheesecake flavor.

Strawberry Basil Granita

While this recipe for Strawberry Basil Granita does include some sugar, it has no added fats, and only uses 1/4 cup of sugar for the whole recipe. It's a delicious alternative to ice cream that doesn't require an ice cream maker either! (and looks great in a shatter-proof margarita glass!)

Firecracker Popsicles

Photo Credit: www.frieddandelions.com

Want a healthy July 4th dessert recipe for the kids? Try these Vegan, Gluten Free, and Paleo firecracker popsicles. Kids won't care if they're healthy...they're just plain fun! (Bonus! That fun star-shaped mold can be used all summer long)

Now, It’s Your Turn

You didn’t believe me, did you? I told you this was the best list, and it really is! Here’s a quick recap of what we went through:

  • 6 Last-Minute (and still super cute) Recipes:
    • Patriotic Bark,
    • Strawberry Blueberry Cloud Cake,
    • Patriotic Snack Cakes,
    • Chocolate dipped pretzel rods,
    • Firecracker fruit kabobs, and
    • Easy Patriotic Snack Mix
  • 6 Show Stopping Patriotic Desserts they’ll talk about for ages:
    • Firecracker Jello Cups,
    • Surprise Inside Brownies,
    • American Flag Strawberry Blueberry Pie,
    • Patriotic Ice cream Cone favors,
    • White chocolate raspberry jello cake, and
    • Patriotic cookie and brownie crunch.
  • 3 Healthy (but still delicious) Recipes:
    • Berry cheesecake salad,
    • Strawberry basil granita, and
    • Firecracker popsicles

The only question remaining is…

Which of these July 4th dessert recipes will you be making?


Join me over at Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter,

for more fun ideas and inspiration!

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Filed Under: Desserts, Food, Holidays, July 4th

About Leslie

Leslie is the passionate party planner in her family. Living with metastatic breast cancer since 2022, she is determined to find a way to continue making amazing parties for her kids that don't leave you exhausted. To do that Leslie combines the experience she learned working for a professional event planner with the reality of a busy family life to create party inspiration that the average mom can reproduce and be proud of.

Comments

  1. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    June 10, 2018 at 11:46 am

    It all looks great, but I think my favorites are the brownies and the pie. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – have a great week!

    Reply
  2. Amy says

    June 10, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    What a fantastic selection of 4th of July Dessert Recipes. There are several here that I want to make. Thank you for sharing at Happiness is Homemade.

    Reply
  3. Deanna says

    June 11, 2018 at 5:42 pm

    Fun recipes! I’ve pinned this post.

    I followed you here from I’m an Organizing Junkie. Have a beautiful day!

    Reply
  4. Emma: Ettie and Me says

    June 11, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Yummmmm I can’t wait to have a party now just to try these put! #familyfun

    Reply
  5. Milena says

    June 12, 2018 at 8:12 am

    Great round up! So many creative ideas that it is hard to choose. I will leave that job to my son and help him execute. Pinned!

    Reply
  6. Rosey says

    June 13, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    So many good ones. I think the fruit kabobs are my fave.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Wise says

    June 14, 2018 at 9:21 am

    These look so fun! (I like to play with my food, too!) 🙂 Pinning!!
    #embracingchangelinky

    Reply
  8. Crummy Mummy says

    June 14, 2018 at 10:14 am

    These look so cute! I have an American friend who will love these! #familyfunlinky

    Reply
  9. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    June 14, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    Great ideas! As a chocolate-lover, I’m eager to try the surprise red white and blue brownies. Visiting from Feathered Next Friday.

    Reply
  10. Michelle Kellogg says

    June 15, 2018 at 6:48 am

    I like the jello cups! I might try to make those for my family this year! A lot of good choices for everyone! #FamilyFun

    Reply
  11. Jann Olson says

    June 15, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    I love red, white, and blue food! It all looks so fun. Hubby and I host an outdoor 4th of July breakfast each year. Thanks for sharing these great recipes with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  12. Mother of 3 says

    June 20, 2018 at 7:29 pm

    So many delicious desserts to choose from! Thanks for sharing at the Summer Fun Linky with us. We try to make some sort of 4th of July cake each year. Pinning for ideas.

    Reply
    • Mother of 3 says

      July 16, 2018 at 7:02 pm

      Just wanted to let you know that your post was one of my featured favorites today from the Summer Fun Linky at Our Unschooling Journey. Thanks again for linking up with us.

      Reply
  13. Jen Gregor says

    June 22, 2018 at 12:13 am

    These all look amazing and such great ideas! Thank you for sharing at the Friday at the Fire Station link up. You will be the featured post this week!

    Reply
  14. Richella Parham says

    June 28, 2018 at 9:28 am

    Such good ideas! Thank you for rounding these up for us. I’ve pinned this post to my Independence Day board.

    Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!

    Reply
  15. Erlene says

    June 29, 2018 at 5:37 am

    Great roundup. We have a cotton candy machine, so I love the cotton candy cones.

    Reply
  16. Dee | Grammy's Grid says

    June 18, 2019 at 11:58 am

    YUM! It all looks good, especially the brownies! Pinned ♥ Why not bring this post over to my new UNLIMITED Monthly Link Party going on now!

    Reply
  17. Danielle Siero says

    June 30, 2020 at 9:08 am

    So many cute ideas for the Fourth of July!

    Reply

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I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. Here you'll find crafts, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too! Read More
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Looking for a little more creativity in your life? From Play Dates to Parties is the place for you!

Hi there! I’m Leslie! I love helping busy moms create DIY parties that aren’t overwhelming. At Playdates to Parties, you'll find crafts, ready-to-use cut files, recipes, and fun printables you can use to create a celebration you’re proud of that you get to enjoy too!  {Read More}

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