Red. White. Blue. These 3 simple colors put together evoke emotions of the American spirit, ignite the passions of a patriot and the need for a mouth to chant U-S-A. This week we celebrate Independence Day.
More than 326 million Americans will commemorate the birth of our nation by waving handheld flags at community parades, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs with their neighbors and under the darkness “oohing” and “ahhing” at the bright flashes of fireworks.
I always associate the Fourth of July with flag-themed desserts.
The dessert doesn’t necessarily have to be an edible flag, but if you want to impress your guests, it helps to be creative. Thankfully strawberries and blueberries are in season this month and make flag creation affordable and delicious.
Here are my top 10 recipe recommendations for red, white and blue treats.
Fourth of July JELL-O
Using a package of berry blue gelatin and a package of strawberry gelatin, you can easily create blue and red JELL-O cubes. This dessert is perfect for a party with lots of little fingers. JELL-O is especially delicious when it’s cubed. One note: Plan ahead to have enough time to allow the JELL-O to set.
Patriotic Gelatin Salad
We all know that Independence Day is July 4th, but I don’t limit the festive food to one single day. My family enjoys eating Fourth of July desserts throughout the entire month. For that reason, I skip on making Patriotic Gelatin Salad on the holiday, but make it for a neighborhood potluck on a week when I have extra time and the patience for the steps of dissolving gelatin, placing that layer in the fluted tube pan and then chilling it for more than 30 minutes before adding another layer.
Firecracker Red, White and Blue Cake
This cake is red, white and blue on both the inside and out. You prepare the cake batter as directed on the box before dividing it into 3 bowls (one for red food coloring, one for blue and the other is the white batter). Once the cake is baked and cooled completely, you drizzle the white frosting back and forth around the cake in a striping pattern before drizzling blue and red frosting on it. Make sure all 3 colors of frosting can be seen on the cake.
Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake
My childhood best friend Kelly’s birthday is July 3. Guess what type of birthday cake she had every year? This Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake. I always liked how the sliced strawberries are arranged as the stripes to create the American flag. Always serve this cake chilled from the refrigerator.
Patriotic JELL-O Cake
Another cake that is served chilled is this Patriotic JELL-O Cake. In this recipe, you prepare and bake 2 round white cakes as directed on the box. Once the cakes are cooled, you pierce each cake with a fork. Then take 2 boxes of dissolved JELL-O (red and blue) and pour one type of JELL-O over one cake. Repeat with the other type of JELL-O on the other cake. Refrigerator at least 2 hours before assembling and spreading frosting between the layers and on the outside of the cake. Expect your friends to be impressed with the swirls of red and blue inside the cake.
Easy Strawberry and Blueberry Dessert
This easy and beautiful dessert is perfect for the Fourth of July. It takes minimal prep time, yet it will taste delicious. Note: It makes 4 to 6 servings, so be prepared to double the recipe if you are entertaining friends.
Red, White and Blue Banana Split
Another cool dessert is the Red, White and Blue Banana Split. It’s a refreshing dessert that using strawberries, blueberries, pineapples and bananas. Perfect if you are celebrating the holiday in Hawaii.
These final 3 recipes are equally delicious and patriotic.
JELL-O Easy Patriotic Pie
The Flag Cheesecake
Patriotic No-Bake Cheesecake
Now that you have the makings for a festive dessert, the only thing missing is the sparklers.