When it comes to the 4th of July, I’m all about the fireworks (and I don’t just mean the ones in the sky).
I mean easy desserts that make people do a little happy dance after the first bite!
When I’m in charge of bringing something sweet, I want to whip up something that’s easy, delicious, and totally patriotic.
I love recipes that are simple enough to throw together in the morning but still look like I put in some kind of effort.
If it’s festive and tasty, it’s part of the celebration!
Patriotic 4th of July Desserts
Red, white, and blue never looked so tasty, and you don’t need to be a cake decorator to pull them off!
These desserts are perfect for potlucks, backyard cookouts, or eating straight off the tray while someone’s lighting sparklers.
1. Red, White, and Blue Layered Jello Cups
These are so super easy to make!
Start with three boxes of Jello, one red, one blue, and one unflavored gelatin mixed with whipped topping.
Make the red layer first, pour into clear cups, and refrigerate until set.
Add the whipped topping layer once the red is firm, then chill again.
Finish with the blue Jello on top.
2. American Flag Fruit Pizza
Whenever I make this, it looks so cool that I don’t want to cut it up!
Roll out sugar cookie dough onto a sheet pan and bake until lightly golden.
Once cooled, spread with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.
Use blueberries in the corner for the stars, then alternate rows of sliced strawberries and bananas for the stripes.
Chill until ready to serve.
Slice into squares so everyone gets some flag!
3. Firecracker Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
Bake a batch of sugar cookies (or I use store-bought if time’s tight).
Mix up a white glaze and spread it over each cookie.
While the icing is still wet, shake red and blue sprinkles over the top.
Want to add some pop? Use some popping candies too!
Let them dry on a rack before stacking on a plate.
4. Patriotic Trifle with Berries and Cream
Layer cubed angel food cake, whipped cream, and fresh berries in a glass bowl.
Start with cake on the bottom, then whipped cream, followed by strawberries and blueberries.
Repeat until the bowl is full and with a swirl of cream and a handful of fruit on top.
Chill for at least an hour before serving.
5. Blueberry and Raspberry Shortcakes
Split store-bought shortcake shells in half and fill with a scoop of whipped cream and a mix of blueberries and raspberries.
Replace the top and add another dollop of cream.
Drizzle with a little honey for extra shine.
Serve with a spoon because these get messy quick!
6. Star-Shaped Brownie Bites with Icing
Bake brownies in a sheet pan and let them cool completely, then use a star cookie cutter to punch out shapes.
Pipe red, white, and blue frosting on top in small bursts or drizzle with white icing and top with patriotic sprinkles.
Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
7. Red Velvet Cupcakes with Blueberries
Whip up red velvet cupcakes using your favorite mix or recipe.
Once they’ve cooled, pipe cream cheese frosting high on top.
Press a few blueberries into the frosting to give them that patriotic look.
Keep them chilled so the frosting stays firm.
8. White Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels with Sprinkles
Melt white chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.
Dip half of each pretzel rod in the chocolate and lay on wax paper.
Before they dry, scatter red and blue sprinkles over the top.
Let them set in the fridge for about 20 minutes.
Stand them up in a mason jar for a fun table display
9. Berry-Topped Cheesecake Bars
Make a simple graham cracker crust and press it into a baking dish.
Pour in cheesecake filling (no need to bake if using a no-bake recipe).
Once set, top with sliced strawberries and blueberries in a star or stripe design.
Chill until firm enough to slice cleanly.
Use a sharp knife to get clean edges.
10. USA Flag-Themed Cake Roll
This one is always at hit at 4th of July parties!
Bake a thin vanilla sponge in a jelly roll pan.
While still warm, roll it up in parchment paper and let it cool to shape.
Unroll and spread with whipped cream, then add chopped strawberries and blueberries.
Reroll it carefully and dust with powdered sugar.
Pipe red and blue frosting stripes across the top to finish.
Easy 4th of July Desserts
No one wants to spend hours fussing over a dessert when there are burgers to eat and lawn chairs to claim.
These treats come together fast, travel well, and taste like you worked harder than you did!
11. Strawberry Shortcake in Mason Jars
Slice fresh strawberries and let them sit in a bit of sugar until they get syrupy.
Layer pieces of store-bought pound cake, the strawberries, and whipped cream into mason jars.
Repeat until the jar is full.
Top with a swirl of whipped cream and a whole berry.
You can screw on lids if you’re taking them to-go.
12. Fruit Kabobs with Marshmallows
I love to make this dessert all summer long, even when we’re not celebrating!
Grab some skewers and alternate strawberries, blueberries, and mini marshmallows.
I like to cut a few slices of banana or watermelon stars for extra flair!
Lay them out on a platter or stand them upright in a jar.
Chill in the fridge until it’s time to eat.
13. Store-Bought Pound Cake with Whipped Cream and Berries
Slice a loaf of pound cake into thick pieces and add a spoonful of whipped cream on each slice.
Top with a mix of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
Sprinkle everything with a little powdered sugar on top.
Serve on a tray with a patriotic napkin for that festive feel.
14. Ice Cream Sandwiches Rolled in Sprinkles
Unwrap ice cream sandwiches and let them soften just a bit.
Pour red, white, and blue sprinkles onto a plate and roll the sides of each sandwich in the sprinkles to coat.
Wrap them in wax paper or foil for easy handling.
Make sure you freeze them again so they don’t melt all over the place!
15. No-Fuss Pudding Parfaits
These pudding parfaits really are no fuss.
Spoon vanilla pudding into clear cups and layer with crushed shortbread cookies and fresh berries.
Add a second layer of pudding and top with whipped cream.
You can drop in a cherry for some extra color!
Store in the fridge until serving time.
16. Sugar Cookie Bars with Red and Blue Frosting
Bake sugar cookie dough in a sheet pan and let it cool completely.
Spread white frosting over the top, then divide into sections with red and blue frosting swirls.
Then, use a knife or spatula to drag the colors into a fun marbled pattern.
Slice into bars and scatter on star-shaped sprinkles if you’ve got them.
17. Frozen Berry Yogurt Bark
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out some Greek yogurt.
Drop spoonfuls of mixed berries all over (chopped strawberries and blueberries for a patriotic look!), then swirl gently.
Add granola or chopped nuts if you want some crunch.
Freeze until solid, break into pieces and serve cold.
This is so easy to make and delicious that I usually have some on hand all summer!
18. Mini Pies Using Store-Bought Crust and Filling
Roll out pie dough and cut into small circles.
Press into muffin tins and fill with canned pie filling like cherry, blueberry, or whatever feels festive.
Bake until golden and let the cool before topping each with a squirt of whipped cream.
I like to dust them with colored sugar for fun!
19. S’mores Dip in a Cast Iron Skillet
Pour chocolate chips into the bottom of a small cast-iron skillet and cover with mini marshmallows.
Bake at 350°F until the marshmallows are golden brown.
Serve with graham crackers for dipping.
You can check out my recipe here.
Just use a cast-iron pan instead of an oven-safe dish (I find it gives it a real summer-y vibe for a 4th of July party!).
20. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries with Red and Blue Drizzle
Melt some white chocolate, dip each strawberry halfway and let them dry on parchment paper.
Melt some rblue candy melts and dip just the bottom of the strawberry.
Refrigerate everything until the chocolate is firm.
You can arrange on a tray with tiny flags if you’ve got them.
No-Bake 4th of July Desserts
Too hot to bake? Same.
These no-bake ideas keep your kitchen cool and your taste buds happy.
These are the kind of desserts that let you stay in holiday mode, not meltdown mode.
21. No-Bake Cheesecake Jars with Berry Topping
Crush graham crackers and spoon them into the bottom of small jars.
Mix some cream cheese, sugar, and whipped topping until smooth, then layer it over the crust.
Add a spoonful of cherry, strawberry or blueberry pie filling on top.
Repeat the layers if your jars are deep.
Chill for at least two hours before serving.
22. Icebox Cake with Whipped Cream and Graham Crackers
This dessert looks it takes forever, but it’s quick and easy to make!
Spread a layer of whipped cream in a dish, then add graham crackers on top.
Keep layering whipped cream and crackers until you’ve got three or four stacks, then press berries into the top layer for a festive finish.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Slice like a cake once it’s set and serve!
23. Patriotic Rice Krispies Treats
Melt marshmallows and butter, stir in cereal, and divide into three bowls.
Tint one red, one blue, and leave the last plain.
Press each color into a pan in layers.
Let everything cool, then cut into squares or use a star cutter if you want to get cute with it.
24. Red, White, and Blue Oreo Truffles
Crush a pack of Oreos and mix with cream cheese until smooth, then roll the mixture into balls and freeze until firm.
Then, dip them in white chocolate and drizzle with red and blue candy melts.
Add sprinkles if you want some sparkle!
Keep chilled until ready to serve.
25. Frozen Lemonade Pie
Whisk together lemonade concentrate, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping.
Pour everything into a graham cracker crust and feeze for at least four hours.
Top with raspberries or blueberries before slicing.
You can store any leftovers in the freezer for next-day treats (even though there probably won’t be leftovers!).
26. No-Bake Berry Lasagna
I love this take on a classic dinner dish!
Layer graham crackers, whipped cream cheese filling, and fresh berries in a casserole dish.
Repeat the layers a couple of times, ending with a thick layer of cream and a berry mix on top.
Drizzle a bit of jam or berry syrup for extra color.
Let it chill until firm, then slice with a sharp knife and serve cold.
27. Yogurt Parfaits with Granola and Fruit
Spoon Greek yogurt into glasses or jars and add a layer of granola, followed by sliced strawberries and blueberries.
Repeat the layers until the container is full.
Top with a bit of honey or maple syrup.
Serve immediately or keep cold for later.
28. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Freezer Bars
Mix peanut butter, crushed graham crackers, and powdered sugar into a thick paste.
Press into a baking dish and smooth out.
Melt some chocolate and pour over the top, spreading evenly.
Freeze for an hour until solid, then cut into bars and keep stored in the freezer.
29. No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites
Stir together flour, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and milk to make edible cookie dough.
Add mini chocolate chips and roll into bite-sized balls and refrigerate until firm.
I love this dessert because it’s like eating cookie dough from the bowl!
Just leave out the eggs and you’re good to go.
30. Frozen Cool Whip Sandwich Cookies
Spread frozen Cool Whip between two soft cookies.
I like to mix in some chopped strawberries for a fruity taste!
Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and freeze until solid.
Serve straight from the freezer.
Sweet, Simple, and Stars-and-Stripes Ready!
You don’t need a complicated recipe or a hot oven to show up with something that screams 4th of July.
Whether you’re going for full-on patriotic flair, just need something quick, or want to keep the house cool, there’s a dessert here with your name on it.
These ideas keep things fun, festive, and most importantly, easy.
So grab some berries, a tub of whipped cream, and let the celebration (and snacking) begin!
