Fruit flag cake
“I took this patriotic dessert to a luncheon and came home with dozens of requests for the recipe! It was quite a success. People told me it looked as good as it tasted.” —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma. Pair your desserts with these festive Fourth of July appetizers.
Flag cookies
“I volunteer with a group that bakes treats for military personnel serving overseas. We really like to send these soft sugar cookies because they ship well and taste great!” —Susan Whetzel, Pearisburg, Virginia
Chocolate patriotism
“A rich chocolate frosting makes these brownies really tasty. I always come home with an empty pan when I take these to potlucks.” —Julie Moyer, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Patriotic ice pops
“My kids love homemade ice pops, and I love knowing that the ones we make are good for them. We whip up a big batch with multiple flavors so they have many choices, but these patriotic red, white and blueberry ones are always a favorite!” —Shannon Carino, Frisco, Texas
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Star pops
“These patriotic pops are a hit at our annual Fourth of July get-together. Serve them as an after-picnic dessert. Or slip them into cellophane bags, tie on ribbons and give them as favors.” —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These patriotic drinks are perfect for Independence Day when the sun is out.
Lemon stars
“With a little chill time, my no-bake lemon pie turns into a potluck superstar. My kids like to arrange the berries in a star pattern.” —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia
Firecracker cookies
“The sound of the ice cream truck has even my husband running out to the curb with money in hand. Our neighborhood has a big potluck on the Fourth of July, so I decided to make cookies that resemble Bomb Pops. These were a big hit!” —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Patriot parfaits
“These sweet little parfaits take everything that’s good about cheesecake and make it way easier. You get the rich creaminess, graham cracker crunch and bright berry flavor all in a fun individual portion.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Beignets and berries
“I’ve always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they’re easy! Sometimes I’ll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise.” —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
4th of July ice cream
“It’s about time someone created an ice cream sundae just for adults! I frequently make this dessert to use up juicy berries during peak summer months.” —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia. Check out America’s most spectacular fireworks shows.
Sweet berry salad
“This fluffy salad is a welcome treat on warm Texas afternoons. Because there’s a blueberry orchard near our home, we often pick up berries to use in this recipe and others. When blueberries and strawberries aren’t in season, you can substitute frozen berries with equally good results.” —Karen Wenzel, Conroe, Texas
Flag salad
“Our family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue.” —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina
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Red, white, and blue frozen lemonade
“This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is tasty. Layering cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that sings with Fourth of July pride.” —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Red berry pie
“To me, this colorful pie is the epitome of summer. Bright blueberries and raspberries sandwich a cream cheese layer in the pie that’s quite festive. I can’t imagine a holiday party without this tasty treat!” —Cindy Zarnstorff, Anchorage, Alaska
Flag stripe jello
“Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely salad makes quite a “bang” at our July Fourth meal. It’s exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme.” —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Next, check out the best ways to celebrate the Fourth of July without leaving your house.
