The 4th of July is a holiday enjoyed by people of all ages throughout the United States. Whether you’re holding a 4th of July celebration or attending a party hosted by a friend or family member, there’s one thing that’s a must (aside from the sparklers, of course!): delicious 4th of July desserts.
Party planning takes a lot of effort, and if you want to have more time to have fun, consider a done-for-you 4th of July dessert from Edible Arrangements® like our delectable Edible® Donuts decorated with red, white, and blue for a festive touch. Or, adorn your tables with a delightful 4th of July fruit arrangement featuring pineapple stars, strawberries, blueberries, and white chocolate dipped pineapple stars and strawberries for the perfect blend of red, white, and blue deliciousness.
For more delicious 4th of July dessert ideas you might want to try, we put out a call for ideas and curated responses below. (Note: Edible Arrangements® is not endorsing any of the companies or ideas discussed below, but we asked for suggestions to get some different perspectives.) Keep reading to find out what the contributors who responded to our query had to say about their favorite 4th of July dessert ideas.
Aysegul Sanford
Aysegul Sanford is a food blogger and owner of Foolproof Living. She is also a content creator and food lifestyle photographer who focuses on healthier eating through balance without sacrificing foods you love. Her recipes are creative yet simple to ensure people can enjoy them day-to-day whilst maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle.
“My two favorite 4th of July dessert ideas are Red Velvet Cupcakes and Mini Lemon Tarts.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
These cupcakes are perfect for a party spread and can easily be served to larger groups. They are moist and topped with a creamy dollop of indulgent cream cheese icing. Serve with blue flower garnishings or pop a couple of blueberries on top to complete the red white and blue theme. Delicious!
Mini Lemon Tarts
These scrumptious mini tarts come in the perfect portion size for individual servings which makes them amazing for parties with larger groups. Filled with creamy lemon ricotta and topped with fresh berries for some added tang. These tarts are simple to make and take just 10 minutes so no rushing before your 4th of July activities.”
Leslie Radka
Leslie Radka is the Founder and Hiring Manager of GreatPeopleSearch, a technology company based in the United States.
“The Fourth of July is traditionally associated with fireworks displays, block parties, beach outings, and spending time with family and friends.
For those who celebrate, the Fourth of July usually includes delicious backyard cookouts and red, white, and blue desserts.
Some of my favorites desserts are:
- American flag cake: This classic strawberry poke cake topped with Cool Whip and fresh berries is the perfect dessert to kick off the long holiday weekend.
- Blueberry cobbler: You can make this cobbler with fresh or frozen blueberries, as well as other fruits if you want to spice it up. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries would all complement the blueberries perfectly.
- Semifreddo Blueberry Crème Fraîche With Pecan Crumble: Consider this frozen dessert to be a soft-serve version of your favorite ice cream cake, with the added tang of crème fraîche and crunch of pecan crumble. Yum.
- Layer Cake with Strawberries and Rhubarb: Despite the sweet cream cheese frosting and light and fluffy vanilla cake, the fruity rhubarb compote is the star of this dessert. For a red, white, and blue twist, top with blueberries.
- Pie with Coconut Cream: This creamy coconut custard pie topped with mounds of homemade whipped cream will be a hit at the barbecue.”
Scott Hasting
Scott is the Co-Founder of BetWorthy LLC.
“Our family loves cheesecake, so for 4th of July, we always have one, but to make it special, we make a 4th of July-themed cheesecake.
This one is fairly easy to prepare since it’s a no-bake recipe. Here’s how to do it:
4th of July No Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1.5 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 6 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
For the filling:
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp grated lemon zest
- 1 ¼ cup cold heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup room temperature cream cheese
- 1 cup room temperature mascarpone cheese
- 24 large fresh blueberries (can add more)
- 20 hulled and halved lengthwise large fresh strawberries (can add more)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cocoa powder, and melted butter until the mixture is thoroughly combined and crumbly. You have to make sure that the mixture is still crumbly enough to form the crust.
- Transfer it to a 9×11-inch baking dish then press the crust into the bottom of the baking dish until smooth and even. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set. This will take about 30 minutes.
- In another bowl, mix cream cheese and mascarpone cheese thoroughly. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract into the mixture.
- In another separate bowl, whisk 1/3 cup sugar into whipping cream until the cream is fluffy and forms soft peaks. Then, add the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and gently whisk until the filling is soft, fluffy, and well combined. Then, spoon the filling on top of the graham cracker crust. Make sure to spread and smoothen the top. Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until chilled and set.
- Next, starting at the bottom long edge of the cake, arrange strawberry halves in a horizontal line with the pointed bottoms of the strawberry halves pointing to the right. Start the second stripe of strawberry halves at the top right of the cake, arranging strawberries with the bottoms pointing right in a line stretching about 2/3 of the length of the cake. Continue to make strawberry stripes, starting about 3/4 inch up from the bottom stripe and laying down 3 more stripes stretching the full length of the cake. Make 1 more line of strawberries beneath the short stripe to leave a square space for the blue field of stars.
- For the blueberries, lay a line of them with the blossom ends pointing up in the upper left square space. Continue to lay down them in lines, berries touching the previous line, until the square is filled with blueberries.
- Cut cake into squares to serve.”
Perry Valentine
Perry Valentine is the owner and founder of AtPerry’s, an online crystal store dedicated to sourcing the best stones in the world. AtPerry’s was founded to help others by selling the finest crystals and gemstones in the world at the best prices. He is also an author and humanist.
“Having desserts for the 4th of July is always a must. But since we’re always too busy with other party preparations, I believe that the perfect 4th of July dessert idea is something that can be made with little effort but still tastes just as great. Here is my favorite dessert for the 4th of July:
Patriotic No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
A no-bake Oreo cheesecake added with red and blue sprinkles on top makes for a perfect patriotic dessert for the 4th of July. Since this doesn’t require any baking, it makes it very easy to do and you can also have kids help around with the preparation. All it needs are some red velvet Oreo cookies for the crust (although regular ones work too), and whipped cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla for the top layer. For a more festive look, we also added more crushed cookies and sprinkles at the top layer. You can also mix some pop rocks to get the popping taste for every bite!”
Evelyn Oht
Evelyn Oht is a Tattoo Artist and Content Writer at Soul Canvas Ink.
“The best idea for dessert I ever saw at a Fourth of July party was small cookies shaped in the letters U, S, and A, and then covered in blue, white, and red icing.
The USA cookies were decorated with white icing and red, white, and blue sprinkles. It was such a beautiful display of the word USA over and over again.
It definitely took a lot of work, but it was so worth it. It beat the old American trifle with strawberries and blueberries that I’ve had on all Fourth of July dinners. It was nice to have something else for a change.”
Jessica Kats
Jessica Kats is a lifestyle blogger at Soxy.
“My favorite 4th of July dessert is molten lava served with soft ice cream.
Since the weather is a little hot and humid, you can never go wrong with a fresh lava cake out of the oven. A lot of times, I top it with chopped nuts and add shredded graham crackers for crunch. My family loves eating this dessert while watching the fireworks in the backyard.
You can prepare the molten lava mixture beforehand and put it in the oven when you want to eat it. That’s why I love this idea over others because I don’t have to whip a new batch each time I bake. I can refrigerate the leftovers and bake them at my convenience.”
Craig Miller
Craig is the Co-Founder of Academia Labs LLC.
“My favorite 4th of July dessert idea is The All American Trifle. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 quart heavy cream
- 3 lbs fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
- 1 (3.3 ounces) package of instant white chocolate pudding mix
- 1 container lemon yogurt (6 ounces)
- 2 tbsp coconut-flavored rum (to taste, but optional)
- 2 (16 ounces) prepared pound cakes, cubed
- 2 pints of fresh blueberries (as needed)
Directions:
- In a bowl, sprinkle the strawberries with sugar. Make sure to stir to distribute the sugar, then set it aside. Chill a large metal mixing bowl and beaters from an electric mixer.
- Pour the cream into the chilled mixing bowl. Afterwhich, add white chocolate pudding mix, lemon yogurt, and about 1 tablespoon of coconut rum, if desired. Beat until fluffy with an electric mixer set on medium speed.
- Spread a layer of pound cake cubes into the bottom of a glass 10×15-inch baking dish, and sprinkle the cubes with another tablespoon of coconut rum. Cover the pound cake with a layer of strawberries; sprinkle blueberries over the strawberries. Spread a thick layer of whipped cream over the berries.
- Repeat the layers several times. The ending should be with a layer of strawberries sprinkled with blueberries and reserving about 1 cup of whipped cream; top the trifle with dollops of whipped cream to serve.
- Serve.”
Ty Gibson
Ty Gibson is a Texas-based attorney and founder of Gibson Hill PC. He attended South Texas College of Law and specialized specifically in personal injury law. Having set up his firm in 2013, he has represented many people and businesses.
“My wife bakes an American flag cake that is perfect for the 4th of July.
Sometimes she switches up the recipe, but it’s usually a strawberry poke cake, with the flag details done with berries and whipped cream. It’s delicious, and it always looks amazing at the table!”
Will Tigerton
Will is the Financial Analyst & Founder of LeanBack Player.
“My favorite 4th of July dessert idea is 4th of July Fruit Kebab. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- Fresh blueberries
- Wooden skewers
- Watermelons
Directions:
- Slice watermelon into thick slices. Using a star cookie cutter, cut out stars from the watermelon.
- Skewer about 15 blueberries on a wooden skewer and 1 watermelon star on top.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.”
Megan Ayala
Megan Ayala is a Fitness & Health expert at Patricia and Carolyn.
“My favorite Fourth of July dessert idea is a scrumptious apple crumble with soft serve vanilla ice cream.
Topped with a crispy and buttery crumble, this dessert is the best way to celebrate the occasion. It’s safe to say that it is no less than comfort food. The best part is that it’s also very easy to make.
You can even involve your children in the baking process and turn the day into a means to spend time with your family. The warm apple crumble (just fresh out of the oven) is served best with vanilla or honeycomb ice cream.
But, if someone in your family is not a fan of ice cream, you can even serve it with some delicious custard. All in all, it’s the perfect dessert to enjoy while watching the fireworks glitter in the sky.”
Melanie Bedwell
Melanie Bedwell is the eCommerce Manager for OLIPOP, a soda that tastes like the tonic you grew up sipping, but with the added benefit of microbiome and digestive health
support.
“I love to make festive sundaes for the 4th of July.
I layer strawberry, vanilla, and blue moon ice cream on top of each other, and then finish with whipped cream, red, white, and blue sprinkles, and a cherry on top. It’s easy, yet delicious. It’s also the perfect way to cool off on a hot day.”
David Reed
David Reed is a Co-Founder of LLCStars.com. He has many years of experience starting many businesses and understands how difficult it can be to register and manage your business correctly.
“Let the sparks fly! We make our version of the firecracker Bundt cake using boxed cake mix, red, white, and blue frosting, and lots of sprinkles.”
Allana Wass
Allana is a certified sleep science coach and founder of Comfy Beddy.
“We enjoy a different kind of fruit pie for dessert on the 4th of July. At our house, strawberry pie that’s made from fresh fruit and topped with vanilla ice cream is always a crowd-pleaser.”
Anna Chiranova
Anna has been working as a Manager of the Event Department in one of the best restaurants in Toronto for 5 years. Now, she is a person who makes sure everything runs smoothly in ComfyNorth.
“My go-to 4th of July dessert has always been my mom’s Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad.
Grab a few pints of berries, a small watermelon, and some apples or pineapple. Rinse the berries, chop the watermelon and then slice up the apples or pineapple into 1/2-inch thick slices.
Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many stars as you can. I used a few different sizes (although I couldn’t find my littlest ones) which I thought looked really nice. Toss in honey citrus dressing.”
Thomas Vibe
Thomas Vibe is a co-founder and managing partner at Stone Wizards with five years of successful experience in managing the stone fabrication and installation processes.
“My favorite 4th of July dessert idea is a different take on s’mores. My wife found this recipe for s’mores fudge bars 3 years ago and we’ve been making them for our 4th of July barbecue ever since.”
Allan Borch
Allan Borch is the founder of Dotcom Dollar. He started his own online business and quit his job in 2015 to travel the world. He started Dotcom Dollar to help aspiring entrepreneurs create a successful online business while avoiding crucial mistakes along the way.
“My favorite 4th of July dessert idea is ice cream cake. Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich Cake is a sweet and easy crowd-pleasing dessert that will stretch easily to feed a crowd. You can use any ice cream you love, and it’s perfect for a Fourth of July cookout, or summer barbecues!”
Stella Scott
Stella Scott is a co-founder at EasyPaydayLoan. They are a financial SaaS that enables salaried people to find trusted P2P payday loan lenders online within minutes.
“My favorite 4th of July dessert idea is Blueberry Cobbler. This dessert idea was born out of my love for warm, comfort-food desserts made with fresh fruit. The Blueberry Cobbler dessert recipe takes a few minutes to prepare and will satisfy every 4th of July dessert craving you’ll have. It can be made with fresh or frozen fruit, giving you more options. I love using frozen fruit due to the extra juice from the thawing process. You’ll need sugar, lemon zest, butter, and batter to make the dessert, besides blueberries. Blueberry Cobbler is best enjoyed warm, right after it’s baked. One can store leftover cobbler in the fridge for 4-5 days, and if need be, to enjoy the dessert, use the microwave or oven to reheat.”
Michael Campbell
Michael is the Co-Owner of Throw Deep Publishing, helping football coaches around the world get better at teaching the game.
“My favorite dessert for the 4th of July is layered Red, White, and Blue Finger Jello.
This dish is quite festive since you can use the colors of the flag to represent the holiday. It’s also very tasty and refreshing on a hot summer afternoon! It’s very easy to make, and I would highly recommend it to anyone hosting a 4th of July party or those who are bringing a dish to another gathering!”
Ruben Gamez
Ruben Gamez is the CEO of SignWell by day, full-time husband and father creating memories by night.
“July is hot and humid, so the last thing my wife and I want to do is stand over the oven for longer than necessary.
That’s why my favorite 4th of July dessert is good old-fashioned Rice Krispie Treats with a Fourth of July twist! Once the marshmallow-y treat has set and cooled, grab a star-shaped cookie cutter and cut out stars from the Krispie sheet. Then, grab the sprinkles and alternate between blue and red, covering them in colors reminiscent of the American flag! If you don’t mind mixing the two colors, add jimmies directly to the marshmallow goo before mixing the ‘mallow cream and the cereal for a delightful mix-in.”
Gina Roselle-Broschart
Gina Roselle-Broschart is the Co-Owner of New Jersey’s premier custom cake shop, The Vintage Cake. She is a graduate of the Baking and Pastry Arts program at the Culinary Institute of America.
“My favorite 4th of July dessert is a fresh berry trifle.
The layers of fresh fruit and bavarian cream mimic the American flag while also being a
delicious and light treat to bring to any BBQ.”
Brian Andrada
Brian Andrada is the Food and Beverage Editor at The Golden.
“White chocolate frosting, strawberry jam stripes, and blueberry stars – this is a popular patriotic flag cake idea. But this 4th of July, why not celebrate with showstopping treats guaranteed to impress?
Here are 3 perfect and unique dessert ideas that are firework worthy:
1. Patriotic Bark
If you want something that tastes like freedom and is loved by all, this is a pretty red, white, and blue treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white candy melts (melted)
- 1 cup red candy melts (melted)
- 1 cup blue candy melts (melted)
- 1/3 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles
- 1 tbsp edible gold stars
- 1 tbsp edible blue glitter
Method:
- Add spoonfuls of each candy melt. Create your own designs by swirling the colors together. You can also choose to keep the colors solid, but where the different colored melts meet, overlap them a little to bind together.
- Scatter the sprinkles, glitter, and the stars.
- Freeze for 15-20 mins.
- Break into pieces and serve candy.
2. Fresh Watermelon and Cream Cheese Icing Pizza
Something light and fresh, this dessert pizza will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp cream cheese (softened)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered or liquid sweetener
- 4 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 round slice watermelon – cut into 8 like a pizza
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup raspberries
Method:
- Blend cream cheese, heavy cream, sweetener, lemon juice, and vanilla in a blender until smooth.
- Drizzle or pipe mixture over the watermelon slices.
- Top each cut of the watermelon with berries.
- Serve fresh.
3. National Red, White, and Boozy Popsicles
Ok, this one isn’t to be shared with the kids. You’ll be layering strawberries, cheesecake, and blueberries spiked with vodka in ice pop molds.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/3 cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 4 tbsp vodka
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 1/3 cup fresh blueberries
Method:
- Create syrup by whisking the sugar and water together in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. It should take 2-3 mins for the syrup to become clear. Let it sit and cool to room temperature.
- Blend strawberries and 1 1/2 tbsp of the syrup and 1 1/2 tbsp of vodka in a food processor or blender. Fill 1/3 of each ice pop mold. Freeze until firm.
- Do the same with cream cheese, 1 1/2 tbsp syrup, and 1 tbsp vodka. If the strawberry layer is hard, pour your white mix, leaving room on top for your blueberry layer.
- Blend blueberries, 1 1/2 tbsp syrup, and the rest of the vodka until smooth. Top up your ice pop molds with this blue layer.
- Freeze solid overnight.
Whether you’re grilling up burgers and hot dogs or having a sit-down dinner, these treats are perfect. They add a bit of color to your table, and they’re super easy to make.”
Sylvia Klinger
Sylvia is a Scientific Advisory Board Member at Grain Foods Foundation.
“One of my favorite summer desserts would have to be this recipe for Strawberry Short Cake.
This homestyle favorite pairs easy-to-make biscuits with fresh strawberries, all while being under 500 calories! A dessert with fruit can provide a healthy and refreshing option that both kids and adults will love after a fun summer day in the sun.”
Sylvia Fountaine
Sylvia is a professional chef based in Spokane and CEO of Feasting at Home.
“The 4th of July needs a dessert that is portable for picnics, easy to serve, and refreshing in the summer heat.
And it has to be red, white and blue of course! I love strawberry & blueberry shortcakes with yogurt whipped cream. A flaky biscuit, tangy-sweet whipped cream, and fresh summer berries make this dessert a perfect holiday treat. Pack up the biscuits, whipped cream, and berries separately and serve in cups or bowls for easy eating.”
Wynand Barnard
Wynand is the Founder of Total Coffee Base. He’s an avid coffee lover and enthusiast. When he’s not experimenting with his brewing methods, you can either catch him cooking in the kitchen or in his lounge reading an epic fantasy!
“My favorite 4th of July dessert idea is White Chocolate Mocha Cake.
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons instant espresso powder
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped white chocolate
Frosting:
- 4 cups icing sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4-5 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 ½ tablespoons instant espresso
Ganache:
- 8 ounces white chocolate
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Garnish:
- Anything red and blue!
Instructions:
To make the cake:
- Line the bottom of 3 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease and flour the sides and bottom of the pans. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Add the white chocolate to a metal bowl and place the bowl over a small saucepan filled with simmering water.
- Stir the white chocolate continuously until it is fully melted. Set aside to cool.
- Add the flour, sugar, instant espresso, baking powder, and salt to the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir to combine.
- Run the paddle attachment on the mixer on medium-low as you add in the butter one tablespoon at a time until fully incorporated. The mixture will look like wet sand.
- Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl and whisk together.
- Drizzle the milk mixture into the stand mixer slowly and mix to combine, stopping to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl frequently.
- Fold in the melted white chocolate until just combined.
- Evenly divide the cake batter into the cake pans.
- Bake for 30 – 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
- Allow to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove before placing on a wire rack to cool completely. Once at room temperature, wrap well and chill in the refrigerator.
Prepare the frosting:
- Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
- Mix in the espresso, icing sugar, and salt. Mix until combined. The mixture may seem crumbly, but this is normal.
- Add in the heavy cream and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
Make the ganache:
- Melt the white chocolate on the double boiler just as you did earlier.
- Stir in the heavy cream, then pour the mixture into a container.
- Chill until needed.
Assemble the cake:
- Take out the cakes and level the tops.
- Spread frosting over one of the cakes, then top with a second cake. Repeat until you place the final cake.
- Spread a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake and chill for about 15 minutes.
- Take out the cake, and frost it, then chill for another 15 minutes.
- Add the ganache to the top of the cake and allow it to drizzle down the sides.
- Use any remaining frosting to decorate the top and/or sides of the cake.
- Garnish with anything red and blue to celebrate the 4th of July!”
Mike Baldicana
Mike Baldicana is a Marketing Content Specialist at TrekRoofing – a family-owned business, providing an honest service and delivering professional roofing solutions, including installation and maintenance services to small businesses, residential properties, and commercial properties.
“The 4th of July is one of the most important days in America’s history. It’s a day when we celebrate our independence, so what better way is there than by making some patriotic cakes?
Simple Red, White, and Blue Cakes: These are my favorite all-time Patriotic Cakes. They look so nice; the red makes the cake look more American, while the white and blue make it stand out enough to be different. These are great if you have to make a cake for your big event. You can use your favorite red, white and blue food coloring to make it even more patriotic. This is a day when Americans celebrate their culture, heritage, and traditions. But there are also some other things that they like to do on this day, such as watching fireworks or eating some delicious 4th of July desserts.”
Liz Mincin
Liz Mincin is a baker, cake decorator, and dessert blogger at Waiting for Blancmange. She loves to share family recipes and new creations and firmly believes every day should start with cake.
“Nothing piques my summertime nostalgia more than a classic strawberry shortcake.
For this 4th of July, why not take this up a notch, by making a giant blueberry and strawberry shortcake to share? Layers of pound cake (either homemade or store-bought) with blueberries, strawberries, and cream. It’s served in a large glass bowl to show off the colors and is the perfect dessert to make ahead of a gathering.”
The 4th of July is an occasion filled with laughter, fun, and celebration. Make your 4th of July celebration a little sweeter this year with one of these delicious 4th of July dessert ideas. Want a done-for-you 4th of July dessert? Edible Arrangements® offers an extensive collection of patriotic-themed fruit arrangements and other treats to please a crowd. Plus, we’ll hand-deliver your 4th of July desserts straight to your doorstep for stress-free celebrations.
