Simple 4th of July Desserts

Holidays are such a fun time to get creative in the kitchen! Especially when you have little ones learning about the history, traditions and values surrounding certain holidays, food decorations can make a holiday like Independence Day all the more fun. And of course what is a July 4^th celebration without some red, white and blue treats? Moms, it’s time to get patriotic with these simple 4^th of July desserts:

Liberty Skewers: Using kabob skewers tack on strawberries and/or raspberries, marshmallows and blueberries in a patriotic pattern. If you’re in the mood for chocolate, add brownie bites to your color scheme.

Star-Spangled Rice Crispy Treats: Make a batch of regular rice crispy treats and separate the “dough” into three equal parts. Use a little food coloring to dye one part red and another part blue, leaving the third part plain. Roll the dough and cut star-shaped pieces using a cookie cutter. Serve individually or stack one of each color for a star-spangled treat.

Freedom Jell-O: In clear plastic cups alternate layers of red and blue Jell-O with layers whip cream. Then top with strawberries and blue berries for a wiggly, giggly July 4^th treat.

American Flag Cake: Among super simple 4^th of July desserts is an American flag cake. You can create this impressive masterpiece with just about any type of cake (or pie, sheet of brownie or any other dessert you like). Simply use strawberries and bananas to create rows of red and white stripes and line blueberries in the upper left corner for the stars. Technically there are 13 strips and 50 stars but you don’t have to be that literal if space is limited. For those who are especially crafty you can bake stripes of red and blue into the body of your cake as well.

Spirit Fruit: Dip strawberries, raspberries or maraschino cherries into melted white chocolate. Then dip the tip of the fruit into blue sprinkles leaving some of the white chocolate un-sprinkled. Wa-la, beautiful red, white and blue spirit fruit!

Patriotic Sandwich: Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between your favorite cookies – chocolate chip, oatmeal, sugar, peanut butter, or whatever your heart desires. Gently press the cookies together until the ice cream hangs ever-so-slightly over the sides of the cookies. Roll the ice cream edges in red and blue sprinkles. Keep frozen until ready to serve.

All-American Cookie Decorating: Get the kiddos involved in the action making simple 4^th of July desserts by allowing them to decorate cookies. Provide a variety of decorating supplies including icing, patriotic sprinkles, red/white/blue M&Ms and colorful fruit. This also works on doughnuts, cake pops, cup cakes or yogurt or chocolate covered pretzels!

Festive Fruit: For a healthier option, make a fruit bowl of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries. Then cut watermelon and pineapple pieces into star shapes and toss them in as well.

Proud (to be an American) Platter: Make a smorgasbord of patriotic desserts and arrange them as American flag. Or simply use red fruits (strawberries, raspberries, cherries and watermelon) and yogurt-covered pretzels to create stripes and a bowl of blueberries in the upper left corner to complete the flag.

Happy 4^th, everyone!! We hope you and your family enjoy these simple 4^th of July desserts!!

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