Last Updated April 25th, 2024 at 04:55 pm by Lisa
Celebrate Independence Day with 4th of July desserts and red, white, and blue recipes for your block party, potluck picnic, or backyard cookout!
Browse over 100 Fourth of July party ideas including cakes, cookies, cheesecakes, easy dessert recipes, frozen treats, and so much more.
Wishing you a Happy July 4th with friends and the whole family. Create a fun 4th July dessert, be safe, and enjoy the yummy patriotic food! And may God Bless the USA...
These all American desserts are perfect for Summer holidays. Find delicious July 4th dessert recipes or ideas for a Memorial Day backyard BBQ. Try a recipe for your Summertime Cookout or end of Summer Labor Day weekend party! Fill your dessert table with sweet treats and Summer desserts...
Table of Contents
- 100+ 4th of July Desserts
- Fourth of July Dessert Recipes ~ Pies and Tarts
- 4th of July Desserts Easy Cookies
- No Bake Desserts for 4th of July
- Assorted Fourth of July Desserts
- Fourth of July Cakes & Cupcakes
- Trifle Recipe 4th of July Dessert Ideas
- Cheesecake July 4th Dessert Ideas
- Frozen 4th July Desserts
- July 4th FAQ
- More Summer Party Food
- More Party Food Ideas
100+ 4th of July Desserts
This recipe collection is created by Food Bloggers all over the USA willing to share their favorite 4th of July recipes! Choose from patriotic desserts like impressive cake recipes to easy cupcakes, pies, tarts, cookies, and no bake red, white, and blue treats! Or make an easy trifle with angel food cake, fruit, and whipped cream. Freeze some fruit popsicles, or dip ice cream sandwiches in melted chocolate and sprinkles.
You will also find easy patriotic dessert ideas like flag shaped red, white, and blue cakes, Oreo ice cream cakes, and even cheesecakes with graham cracker crusts topped with strawberries and blueberries to look like our flag.
And receive a free Cookout Planner as our thank you!
From the time I was a young girl, I always loved a good July BBQ on the 4th. We would decorate our bikes for the Independence Day party with red, white, and blue crepe paper, flags, and ribbons. And my Aunt always made the best dessert for 4th of July. Usually her flag cake recipe!
I can remember the smell of the sparklers, and how the fireworks were loud and scary but so exciting. ✨ 💥 Our family had an all-day picnic in the park, and the holiday was always a time for family, food, and fun.
A special heartfelt thank you to each person who shared a dessert recipe for this collection, I am so blessed to do what I love, and to share it with others. "Food people truly are the best kind of people!"
Fourth of July Dessert Recipes ~ Pies and Tarts
Pies and tarts are so classic, look at all these options! Is there a better way to celebrate America than with a pie or tart? Bake a flag shaped slab pie, bake a pie with blueberry pie filling right on your gas grill and keep the kitchen cool (see above!), or make a beautiful fruit tart.
Create a sheet pan pie filled with fresh summer berries and pie crust stars and stripes. The best part is these are all classic Summer dessert ideas to enjoy anytime.
Every one of these patriotic recipes will show your American spirit!
Pie Recipes
The quintessential American 4th of July dessert is a homemade pie! Here are some of the best recipes and baking ideas for your patriotic party Fourth of July celebration.
- American Flag Strawberry Blueberry Pie by Delicious Table
- Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies by A Farmgirls Kitchen
- Make Ahead Apple Pie Filling by Delicious Table
- Strawberry Rhubarb Pie by A Farmgirl's Kitchen
- Easy Mini Apple Pies by Seannas Kitchen
- Deconstructed Patriotic Pie by An Affair from the Heart
- Best Ever Homemade Apple Pie by A Farmgirl's Kitchen
- Apple Crumble Pie (Dutch Apple Pie) by Delicious Table
- Homemade Cherry Pie Filling by A Farmgirls Kitchen
- Grill-Baked Blueberry Pie by Delicious Table
- Star Spangled Berry Sheet Pan Pie by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
- Blueberry Hand Pies by Foodology Geek
Delicious Dessert Tart Recipes
Most of these red, white, and blue desserts are easy! Use homemade or store-bought crusts. Some of these festive dessert ideas even use filo cups and cookie dough as the crust! So smart.
- Red, White, and Blue Berry Fruit Tart by What a Girl Eats
- A Red, White, and Blue Tart by The Simple Sweet Life
- American Flag Fruit Tart by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Red, White, and Blue Buttermilk Berry Tart by Healthy Seasonal Recipes
- Red Wine Mixed Berry Yogurt Tart by Yup It's Vegan
- Red, White, and Blue Cookie Tarts by Foodtastic Mom
4th of July Desserts Easy Cookies
Cookies are a great simple dessert for picnics in the park, or at the beach, they easily pack and can be made ahead like M&M cookie bars. Look for red, white, and blue M&Ms, chocolate chips, and sprinkles in the store, and create all kinds of cookies, bars, and easy 4th of July desserts!
- Stars and Stripes Cookies by A Baker's House
- Star-Spangled Cookies by Sugar Spun Run
- Red, White, and Blue Swirl Cookies by The Decorated Cookie
- Red, White, and Blue Cookie Tarts by Foodtastic Mom
- Patriotic Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie by Kleinworth & Co
- Patriotic M&M Pudding Cookies by An Affair from the Heart
- S'more Mini Skillet Chocolate Chip Pizookie Cookie by Delicious Table
- Chewy M&M Cookies by Honey B's Kitchen
- Patriotic Cookies - Stars n' Stripes USA Cookies by Delicious Table
No Bake Desserts for 4th of July
We get it, sometimes it is SO hot the thought of baking doesn't sound fun. So go with some 4th of July easy desserts, that are a no-bake recipe. An easy way to keep the house cool on a hot summer day.
- Red, White, and Blue Fruit Fun Cones by My Kids Lick the Bowl
- No-Bake Red, White, and Blue Cake by Home. Made. Interest.
- Mascarpone Cheese Mousse and Berries by Low Carb Yum
- Red, White, and Blue Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Melanie Cooks
- Patriotic White Chocolate Pretzels by Beyond the Chicken Coop
- Cheesecake Salad by Low Carb Yum
- Patriotic Red Velvet Cake Balls by Butter Your Biscuit
- Red, White, and Blue Bites by Chic and Savvy
- Easy (No Bake!) Two-Bite Berry Pies by Cooking with Carlee
- Easy Patriotic Bark by What the Fork
- Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad by Belle of the Kitchen
- Patriotic No-Bake Cake Batter Truffles by Who Needs a Cape?
- Watermelon Pizza by Wholesome Yum
- No-Bake Red, White, and Blue Parfaits by Shockingly Delicious
- Berry Patriotic Chia Seed Pudding by Tasting Page
Assorted Fourth of July Desserts
Take a look at these elegant, fun, unique, and beautiful desserts! Using fresh blueberries, blackberries, fresh strawberries, and raspberries is the easiest way to get the pop of patriotic colors. And so many of them are easy recipes, and come together in minutes!
- American Flag S'mores Dip by The Decorated Cookie
- Berries in a Pastry Basket by The Organic Kitchen
- 4th of July Donuts by The Simple Sweet Life
- Red White Blue Fresh Berry Cheesecake Salad by This Old Gal
- Triple Berry Pavlova by Bitz & Giggles
- Berry Pavlova by Foodology Geek
- Triple Berry Shortcake Salad by Bitz & Giggles
- Eton Mess by Caroline's Cooking
- Mixed Berry Fool by Lemon Blossoms
- Fathead Fruit Pizza by My Life Cookbook
- Patriotic Low Carb Vanilla Mousse in the Instant Pot by My Life Cookbook
- Vanilla Vegan Pudding by Veggie Inspired
- Star Meringues with Fresh Berries by What a Girl Eats
Fourth of July Cakes & Cupcakes
Cakes and Cupcakes are classic dessert choices. These red, white, and blue Fourth of July desserts will make your party one to remember! From strawberry shortcakes, to Jell-O poke cakes with white cake mix, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. All of these easy Fourth July desserts will make people so happy.
- Patriotic Red, White, and Blue Bundt Cake by Bunsen Burner Bakery
- Firecracker Cake by Love Bakes Good Cakes
- Flag Cake by Delicious Table
- Easy One-Bowl Mixed Berry Cake by Celebrating Sweets
- Firework Bundt Cake by Cook Eat Go
- Easy Peach Dump Cake by Seanna's Kitchen
- Patriotic Funfetti Mason Jar Cupcakes by Valerie's Kitchen
- Patriotic Paleo Chocolate Cake by Only Taste Matters
- Red, White, and Blue Firework Cupcakes by Crayons & Cravings
- Patriotic Cupcakes by Family Around the Table
- Berry Almond Buckle by Garlic and Zest
- Sand Torte by Cooking with Carlee
- Almond Scented Red, White, and Blue Cake by Platter Talk
- Red, White, and Blue Buckwheat Berry Cake by Platter Talk
- Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Poke Cake by Serena Bakes
- Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake by A Farmgirl's Kitchen
Trifle Recipe 4th of July Dessert Ideas
Layered Funfetti trifles are so easy with a boxed cake mix or angel food cake, sprinkles, a vanilla pudding topping, and fresh berries and whipped cream.
- Strawberry Shortcake Trifle by Bitz & Giggles
- Patriotic Mini Trifles by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
- Trifle Recipe with Berries by Celebrating Sweets
- Easy and Delicious Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Trifle by Chic and Savvy
- Red, White, and Blue Berry Trifles by Home & Plate
Cheesecake July 4th Dessert Ideas
Cheesecake desserts are always a make-ahead hit to serve on July 4th! Red, white, and blue mini cheesecakes, and parfaits topped with berries are adorable, and so easy. Transform simple blocks of cream cheese into the best 4th of July desserts! And be sure to try the classic cheesecake recipe with a berry jello glaze on top for one heck of a decadent dessert!
- American Flag No-Bake Cheesecakes by Jonesin' for Taste
- Wave Your Flag Cheesecakes by Grumpy's Honeybunch
- Mini Berry Swirl Cheesecakes by A Farmgirl's Kitchen
- Classic Cheesecake Recipe (Berry Jello Glaze) by A Farmgirl's Kitchen
- No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake With Oreo Crust by Longbourn Farm
- No-Bake Patriotic Cheesecake Parfaits by Upstate Ramblings
- Pressure Cooker Red White and Blue Cheesecake Singles by This Old Gal
- Skinny Berry Cheesecake Bars by Healthy World Cuisine
- Strawberry and Blueberry "Cheese-Like" Cake by Savory Spin
- Fourth of July Cheesecake Cake by The Itsy-Bitsy Kitchen
- Berry Cheesecake Flag Dessert by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Frozen 4th July Desserts
Break out the ice cream maker, and make some homemade ice cream. And beat the Summer heat in a fun way with frozen Fourth of July treats!
The perfect way to cool off outdoors by the pool is with coconut water fruit popsicles, ice pops, or a slice of ice cream pie or icebox cakes coated in cool whip.
On a hot day, an ice cream sandwich is a classic Summery dessert. And dipped in chocolate and red, white, and blue sprinkles is an easy way to decorate frozen treats really fast. Try my Patriotic Ice Cream Cake, a family recipe we have made for decades.
- Patriotic Ice Cream Cake by Delicious Table
- Angel Cake Berry Trifle Ice Cream Sundaes by A Farmgirl's Kitchen
- Red, White, and Blueberry Smoothie Popsicles by The Suburban Soapbox
- Berrylicious Ice Pops by Joy Filled Eats
- Berries and Cream Ice Cream Pie by Joy Filled Eats
- Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Fruit Popsicles by Delicious Table
- Firecracker Popsicles by Fried Dandelions
- Berry Cheesecake Bomb Pops by Lively Table
- Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches by Cooking on the Front Burner
- Cherry Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches by Delicious Table
July 4th FAQ
A national American holiday celebrating the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.
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100+ July 4th Dessert Recipes + American Flag Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
9 X 13 rectangle cake
- 1 boxed white vanilla cake mix 16 cups cake batter for pans than 3”
- water vegetable oil eggs called for on cake mix box
- red food color or gel
- blue food color or gel
- fresh raspberries
- fresh blueberries
cake frosting
- 2 cups salted butter - room temperature (2 sticks)
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 10 cups powder sugar (confectioners sugar)
- 4 tablespoons hot water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but great!)
Instructions
cake pan
- Put a few drops of vegetable oil in bottom of your cake pan. Next, line with parchment paper cut to fit the bottom of the pan.
- This will help release the cake from the pan and makes clean up much easier. If you are serving the cake right from the pan and not removing the cake to decorate, don’t line the pan of course!
make frosting
- Beat soft butter and shortening in a mixer on high until creamy for 5 minutes.
- At low speed, add powder sugar 1 cup at a time until smooth.
- On high speed, mix in vanilla, almond extract, and hot water for 5 minutes until fluffy and smooth.
bake cake
- Mix your cake batter in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer according to the box directions. (Deeper pans might need more cake batter - I used a deeper pan (3 inches deep, most pan are 2 inches deep) so I mixed up 2 boxes of cake batter).
- In a small bowl place 1-2 cups of batter, stir in red food color until it’s the red you like. In another small bowl, place 1-2 cups of the batter; stir in blue food color until it’s the blue you like.
- Now, pour dollops of the batter into the pan alternating from red, white and blue. Try to place the batter on top of each area, it will begin to spread out.
- When all the batter is in the cake pan, use a skewer to pull lines from the center outward, and then do some slight swirls around the pan. This helps create the marble design. Rap the pan down on the counter to help level the batter and pop any bubbles in the batter that would make the cake bake uneven.
- Bake according to your cake box directions, most classic cake mixes require a 350-degree oven for 28 minutes for a regular 9x13 cake pan. (If you use a cake pan deeper than 2 inches, reduce baking temperature to 325 degrees and bake longer for 55 minutes). Check with a toothpick, if it comes out clean the cake is done.
decorate cake
- Cool cake for 10 minutes in the cake pan, then remove it to a wire rack to finish cooling. Cool the cake in the refrigerator for at least two hours or preferably overnight before decorating. I like to bake cakes one day, then decorate them the next. This helps release the steam in the cake and the frosting holds on the cake when chilled, otherwise, it melts.
- Place a dollup of frosting on a small piece of cardboard or a tray, and set the cake on top. This keeps the cake from sliding around while decorating.
- Frost the cake with frosting using a small offset spatula. Smooth out the frosting as best you can all over the top and sides of the cake.
- Using a knife, draw a line about 5 inches long and 4 inches tall for the blue part of the flag in the upper left corner. Place blueberries in that box, pick the best larger ones and place them with the smooth side up.
- Starting at the top of the cake, use large raspberries pointed up and make long rows of red, leaving 1" white stripe in between each row of raspberries.
- Fill a large piping bag with a large 1M star tip and frosting. PRO TIP: rest the piping bag in a tall sturdy jar or glass and pull the piping bag down, it really helps to fill it up. Pipe stars on blueberries for the stars of the flag working in slightly offset rows like the flag.
- Pipe stars in between rows of raspberries, and decorate the sides of the cake if you wish. You will have some frosting leftover, it freezes great in a zip-top bag, and can be used for another dessert.
- The cake will hold well overnight in the refrigerator for 1 day, and possibly 2 days if your berries are really fresh. I would decorate the cake either the day of your party or the night before. I have also had guests decorate it during the party which was SO much fun!
Notes
cake storage
The flag cake will last up to 2 days chilled in the fridge. The frosting will firm up, so remove the cake at least one hour before serving to let the frosting soften up before serving.frosting
This frosting recipe is SOOO fluffy and easy to spread at room temperature. But it firms up nicely when chilled in the fridge, so decorate your cake with room temperature frosting. You can freeze any leftover frosting, and use it for another dessert.baking pans
You can bake this in a sheet pan, glass 9 x 13 dish, or metal cake pan. If you use a pan deeper than 3 inches, you will want to lower the temperature from 350 down to 325 degrees and bake it longer, about 50 minutes. Also, be sure to line the pan with parchment, it makes taking the cake out so much easier, and in one piece. 🍰batter
Coloring the batter is really easy, be sure to use bowls that won't stain with the dye, and just work to put big dollops on top of each other, with lots of white batter all over. Then use a chopstick to pull outward from the center and then in a circle, this makes the swirls you want! 🥣baking
You can bake the cake a day ahead, and keep it chilled in the fridge until it's time to decorate it. You will want the cake very cool before you frost it!decorating
A small offset spatula makes it really easy, but you can use a butter knife too. I had fun piping stars on the cake, totally optional but looks so patriotic. 🇺🇸 Use a large piping bag and 1M tip to create the stars. I used regular food coloring, just mix until it's a dark enough shade. Red took the whole little bottle.berries
I used blueberries and raspberries, but you could use strawberries for the red stripes. You could also use colored sugar or sprinkles for the stripes. 🫐❤️July 4th Recipes
I have a collection of over 100+ July 4th Desserts with treats from my food blogger friends plus a few of mine, with something for everyone. Happy July 4th 🇺🇸, you can also get over 100+ July 4th Recipes and food ideas for your party.July 4th Cookouts, BBQs, and Picnic Tips!
- Use serving pieces you have, red, white, and blue are great but not necessary. Look high and low for the thing you have-trust me you have great pieces to use. Find trays, baskets, bowls, or buy inexpensive ones.
- Plan an area for all the food. A nice long table in the shade, the dinner table, or a kitchen counter space all work great. Serve out of the heat, cover food, and try to keep any salads or meat items covered.
- For summer pool parties, I make sure to get food back in the fridge after about an hour or so to keep it safe, then take it out later in the day when people get hungry again.
- Plan for your number of guests, and space to walk around the table, and chairs, and places to sit in the shade.
- Have containers to send leftovers home with guests, people love it! I use inexpensive Chinese paper takeout containers or grocery store brands.
- If serving outside, plan out to keep food protected from flying insects with food tents, chill salads, and keep dishes out of the direct sun if possible.
- Use what you have to create different heights if possible and to keep people moving around trying different dishes. I sometimes use boxes under pretty linens and tablecloths to create high and low places.
- Use American flags, linens, flowers, and patriotic decorations.
- Serve salads in large chilled bowls on ice packs with a pretty towel covering the ice packs. There are also platters that stay chilled for up to two hours, I have a couple and love them.
Thank you so much for including my recipes, Lisa! So many great recipes in your article. So excited to be included!
Awesome recipe
Thanks
The frosting on this cake is incredible, it spreads so easy and the berries make it incredible. Such a fun cake to bake!
These desserts are awesome! I'll absolutely try these someday. Thanks for sharing!
That American flag tart and the cheesecake look so amazing! I will have to check these out for out 4th of July!
So many creative and talented people out there making gorgeous desserts, Happy 4th Danielle!
Cutest 4th of July dessert ideas! I will need to pin this post for next week. Thanks for sharing.
Right? I had a great time looking at literally hundreds...so hard to choose the best ones. You are welcome, Happy 4th Cecilia!
Strawberries just came into season here in Ontario so I will be bookmarking this to try all the strawberry recipes! Happy 4th of July!
Oh that is great, I love strawberries! I have a small pot on my back patio and they are really starting to bear fruit...Thank you and Happy Summer!!!
You sure no how to bake for the Fourth of July. These all look super delicious. I love using colorful berries in recipes.
The fresh summer berries always make desserts look so festive and fun! Thank you very much.
Oh, these are great dessert options. I love the 4th for desserts.
We had alot of fun putting this collection together! Happy 4th!
You've included some amazing looking desserts here. I'm Canadian and we celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. My town puts on a picnic of free lobster rolls and Canada Day cake. I can't wait. Happy 4th to you.
I have several Canadian friends, and what a gorgeous county. I LOVE LOBSTER rolls! Actually, that is a recipe I have plans to put on the website but with a little twist. Happy 4th to you Nancie, and Happy Canada Day!
Wow, just wow! Anyone with a sweet tooth needs to read this blog post. Nice job
Thanks, Davindra! It's full of sweet inspiration. Lot's of talented recipe creators out there...
THIS GIRL is drooling hard but is also overwhelmed because she doesn't know what to make for the holiday!
LOL thanks Gigi! That is a great comment... well now you have lot's of ideas and inspiration for sure! Happy 4th!
I made a 4th of July cake that resembled the flag. . .on the inside. . .a few years back- it was a pain. These all look SO good!
Oh I was just looking at a YouTube video of how that is done...looks so hard! This is just a giant pastry cutter that does all the work for you. Happy Summer Angie!
Such a festive collection! So many wonderful ideas.
Thank you so much Ellen! It was super fun to put together....so thankful you are a part of it with your Patriotic Cupcakes! Happy July 4th...