Independence Day means the freedom to eat dessert first. Or just dessert all day, right? If you’re barbecue hopping, hosting, or just picnicking under the stars, these festive homemade 4th of July desserts will keep you satisfied on a hot summer day.
While red, white, and blue are always a nice theme to follow, the colors of the U.S. flag are certainly not necessary to create the perfect 4th of July pie or other celebratory treat. So liberate yourself from the annual tricolor fruit kabobs and try one of these patriotic dessert recipes.
Lemon Meringue Pudding
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist Claire Spollen
The height of summer calls for something bright and refreshing, so don’t let the homemade pudding aspect deter you. Simply whip your pudding base ingredients (cornstarch, sugar, egg yolks, milk, and lemon juice) over medium heat, then strain and pop in the fridge for later. Serve in individual cups for a smaller gathering, or triple the recipe and put in a larger bowl for guests to serve themselves.
Summer Berry Trifle With Elderflower Cream
A red, white, and blue dessert with style, this trifle screams summer celebration! Easy to assemble with infused homemade whipped cream and fresh berries, this no-bake trifle provides a sweet wow factor for the 4th of July.
Blueberry Sweet Corn Shortcake
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Instead of individual strawberry shortcakes, this recipe takes advantage of baking a sheet cake. Made with cornmeal and fresh corn and topped with homemade fresh blueberry syrup, it’s a unique flavor combination that guests will enjoy. Of course, a little whipped cream is the perfect addition when serving.
Spicy Watermelon Margarita Ice Pops
This festive 4th of July dessert—reserved for the over-21 crowd—calls for pureed watermelon mixed with sugar, lime juice, tequila, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. That white stripe, which keeps this dessert patriotic, occurs naturally when the fruit separates during freezing.
Sheet Pan Apple Crisp
While there’s nothing more American than apple pie, we’d argue that this apple-focused dessert is even tastier. The best part of this dish might be the crispy browned edges, courtesy of using a sheet pan instead of the typical glass baking dish. Also, the dessert can be made a day ahead, which is good to know if you’re preparing multiple dishes.
Slow-Cooker Angel Food Cake
It’s never a mistake to put your slow cooker to work, especially because this popular appliance gives angel food cake that super-light consistency that can be tricky to master. Just make sure you use the cream of tartar called for in this recipe, as it helps stabilize the egg whites, which is crucial in a slow-baked cake. Add some blueberries to the mix for a red, white, and blue dessert.
Malted Chocolate Brownies
Victor Protasio
Plenty of summer desserts are filled with fresh fruit, which is delicious, but sometimes you want chocolate. Enter this brownie recipe with chocolate or vanilla malted milk powder mixed with cocoa powder. The batter also includes a generous handful of chopped malted milk balls, which is genius. The result is a confection that is equal parts malty, salty, and sweet.
Raspberry and Honey Marshmallows
Sure, you can make s’mores on the 4th of July, or you can impress guests with homemade marshmallows flavored with freeze-dried raspberries and honey. Once the marshmallows are done, use cookie cutters to transform them into patriotic star and flag shapes.
Plum Cake
Though this cake only calls for seven ingredients, it manages to look like it came from a chic Parisian bakery. In this dessert, which takes just 20 minutes of hands-on work, bright plum slices are sprinkled with sugar and baked into a simple yet flavorful crust. To take this 4th of July recipe to the next level, serve it warm with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Sheet Pan Pavlova With Berries and Mangoes
We’re enamored by the work of art that is this fruity dessert, but we’re even more pleased with the fact it only requires one sheet pan and 20 minutes of prep time. Well, you’ll need a hand mixer, mixing bowl, and about four hours for baking and cooling, but we promise it’s super easy and worth the wait. The end result is basically a refreshing fruit salad atop a sweet meringue. In-season fresh pineapple and kiwi also work well if you prefer those fruits over berries and mango!
Frozen Strawberry Trifle With Ladyfingers
If you’re overwhelmed by your 4th of July prep and need a make-ahead dessert, this trifle is it. It’s made with only five ingredients—fresh and frozen strawberries, sugar, cream, ladyfingers, and ice cream—and is refreshingly simple since your freezer will do most of the work.
Amaretto Sour Popsicles
Summer celebrations call for boozy popsicles, like these grown-ups-only pops that taste like a frozen version of the popular amaretto sour cocktail. Serve them with fresh orange slices and cherries for optimal refreshment.
PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches
These ice cream sandwiches combine the flavors of a classic PB&J sandwich into a delectable treat. Use store-bought cookies to save time and add strawberry ice cream for an extra dose of fruit flavor. Try cutting the cookies with star-shaped cookie cutters for a Fourth of July flair!
Hot Honey Peach Upside-Down Cake
GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING BY EMILY NABORS HALL, PROP STYLING BY CLAIRE SPOLLEN
Caramelized peaches adorn a tasty vanilla cake, combining hot honey and nutmeg flavors. Serve warm for the perfect Independence Day treat, and add vanilla ice cream for another layer of yum.
Easy Ice Cream Cake
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream cake! There’s just something so delightful about ice cream you can slice into, and this cake is it. Make it with your choice of ice cream flavors, patriotically themed (try strawberry and vanilla) or otherwise.
