It’s almost Independence Day, and that means it’s almost time for 4th of July themed desserts. We’re excited to try out a lot of these red, white, and blue sweets and treats. (Here are the ones we tried last year.) You’ll notice strawberries and blueberries (in addition to a lot of food coloring!) play a huge role in this holiday because not only are they the right colors, but they are in season and at their best during the summer. If you are looking for more red, white, and blue inspiration, check out our favorite party supplies, our favorite clothing and accessories, and of course our favorite nautical-inspired styles.
1. Fantastic Fireworks Cake: The best thing about this cake is how easy it is to make. You want the fireworks to feel random, so just drop some food coloring in the batter and swirl for a burst of red and blue. (via Grandma’s Kitchen)
2. 4th of July Strawberries: Instead of dark chocolate, dip your strawberries in white chocolate and cover the tip in blue sprinkles for a patriotic, and somewhat healthy, dessert. (via The Sisters Cafe)
3. Fourth of July Rice Krispies Treats: Add your food coloring to the melted marshmallows to make these patriotic treats. (via Lil’ Luna)
4. 4th of July Cake Pops: There are so many fun ways to decorate cake pops for the holiday. We especially like this new take on the traditional flag cake. (via MyJuiceCup)
5. Pretzel Sparklers: A fun snack to make, and to eat, these chocolate dipped pretzels are also good fill-ins for those too little to play with sparklers. (via Martha Stewart)
6. Fizzy Stars and Firecrackers: What makes these candies so exciting? They are made with Pop Rocks! Perfect for enjoying while you watch the fireworks. (via Sprinkle Bakes)
7. Spangled Sandwich Pops: Take it easy this Independence Day by starting with store-bought ice cream sandwiches and giving them an extra embellishment. (via Spoonful)
8. Fireworks Push-It-Up Cakes: Make mini cupcakes that fit into push pop molds and layer them with whipped cream for these fun-t0-eat cakes. (via Gourmet Mom on the Go)
9. 4th of July Tie Dyed Fudge: Serve this fudge already cut up so everyone can see the swirls of color! (via Taste and Tell)
10. Firecracker Bundt Cake: Carefully layer the the different colored batters to make this colorful cake. Then go wild with the icing. (via Cooking with Sugar)
11. Patriotic Pancakes: Start celebrating Independence Day early with these red and white pancakes topped with blueberries and blueberry syrup. (via I Am Baker)
12. Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Popsicles: What do we love about this popsicle recipe? The fact that the layers are made of fruit purées and yogurt instead of artificial colors. (via Brown-Eyed Baker)
13. Red, White, and Blue Pinwheel Icebox Cookies: These swirled cookies take a bit more effort to make since you have to roll and chill the dough a couple of times, but the results are definitely worth it. (via Just a Taste)
14. Patriotic Pinwheel Cupcakes: If you’re a pro at fondant this is a great project to show off your skills. If you’re new to cake decorating, the step-by-step photos in this post are super clear and easy to follow. (via Half Baked)
15. Red, White, and Blue Whoopie Pies: We love any kind of sandwiched treat, and these patriotic whoopie pies are no exception. (via Baking Bites)
16. Red, White, and Blue Watermelon Almond Tart: Your friends will get at surprise when they cut into this cake. There’s watermelon inside! (via Babble)
17. Prosecco Gelatin with Berries and Mint: If you want to go high class for your 4th of July celebration, serve this boozy gelatin dessert. (via U Try It)
18. Red, White, and Blue Parfaits: Go simple, and mostly healthy with these mason jar parfaits by loading them up on fruit and going light on the sweet stuff. (via Mom.me)
19. Creme Filled Strawberries: This dessert is so simple that there’s actually no recipe. Simply carve out the berries, fill with whipped cream, and top with a blueberry. Yum! (via Bakers Royale)
20. Tiny Patriotic Pies: Pie is great. Mini pies are 10 times better. These stars and stripes blueberry pies are sure to be a hit. (via Scrambled Henfruit)
What red, white, and blue desserts are you planning to serve for your 4th of July get-together? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!