4th of July Themed Desserts To Keep You Cool
Get ready to celebrate the red, white, and blue in the most delicious way possible: With the 4th of July just around the corner, it's time to indulge in festive desserts that will keep you cool and satisfy your sweet tooth.
From refreshing ice creams and sorbets to mouthwatering pies and parfaits, we've put together a collection of delightful 4th of July-themed desserts that will not only bring a burst of patriotism to your table but also provide a refreshing respite from the summer heat. (PS: These red, white, and blue desserts work on Memorial Day too!)
Gather your loved ones, fire up the grill, and get ready to treat yourself to a delightful array of cool, creamy, and oh-so-tasty summer desserts that will make this Independence Day celebration unforgettable.
Berry Flag Ice Cream Cake
Celebrate the stars and stripes with a magnificent berry flag cake. Layered with alternating red and white ice cream and adorned with fresh berries, this frozen masterpiece is a true showstopper. The creamy textures and fruity bursts will refresh your taste buds while paying homage to the patriotic colors.
To make this sweet treat, layer two nine-inch round cake pans with your favorite red and white ice cream. Freeze until solid, then pop out of the pan and place on a plate. Top with strawberries and blueberries in the pattern of an American flag, and serve with a scoop of whipped cream.
Watermelon Fireworks Popsicles
Cool down with a burst of watermelon goodness in the form of fireworks popsicles. These vibrant treats feature diced watermelon chunks suspended in a refreshing juice blend, frozen on a stick. The juicy sweetness of watermelon combined with the refreshing coolness of the popsicle will keep you refreshed during your outdoor festivities.
Super easy to make; simply mix watermelon with coconut milk, juice, and honey. Pour this mixture into popsicle molds and freeze until solid. When ready to serve, pop out of the molds and enjoy this creative spin on a fruit tart.
Apple Pie Parfait
Nothing says” 4th of July” quite like a classic apple pie. Take this all-American favorite and give it a refresh — no pie crust needed. We’re talking about an apple pie parfait! Layers of caramel apples, cream cheese filling, and vanilla yogurt will tantalize your taste buds while keeping you nice and cool.
Start by whipping up a classic apple pie filling with your favorite apples, sugar, and spices. Layer the mixture in a cup or glass along with cream cheese filling and Greek yogurt. Top with granola for an extra crunchy treat, and enjoy while soaking up the sun on our Stars & Stripes Mesh Chair.
Patriotic Cake Pops
Who doesn't love a good cake pop? These adorable, bite-sized treats are a must-have for any celebration, and the 4th of July is no exception.
To create Patriotic cake pops, start with your favorite cake recipe (or a store-bought cake mix, if you prefer) and dye the batter red and blue using food coloring. If you want, go with red velvet cake to make it easy.
Bake the cake, then crumble it and mix in a small amount of frosting to create a dough-like consistency.
Next, form the dough into small balls, insert a lollipop stick (or pretzel stick), and dip the cake pops in white chocolate or candy melts. Before the chocolate sets, add red, white, and blue sprinkles for a festive finishing touch.
Firecracker Jello Cups
Add a spark of fun to your 4th of July celebration with firecracker jello cups. These easy-to-make treats require only a few ingredients and look as good as they taste.
Combine cherry, lime, and blue raspberry gelatin in individual plastic cups. Refrigerate until set. Next, top with whipped cream, fresh fruit, and sprinkles before serving. Yup, it's thateasy. Forget the sparklers; these are the pizazz you need.
Blueberry-Lemon Icebox Cake
Enjoy the flavor of summer with a cool and creamy blueberry-lemon icebox cake. Layer store-bought lemon cookies with cream cheese and fresh blueberries for a delicious combination of sweet and tart. This no-bake, easy dessert is one to try, especially if you don't want to turn on the oven.
To make this festive treat, combine cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract. Spread a layer of the cream cheese mixture on the bottom of a springform pan. Top with lemon cookies, followed by more cream cheese and blueberries. Repeat until you’ve used all the ingredients. (The final layer should be cream cheese). Refrigerate your masterpiece for at least two hours before diving in.
Freedom Pie
Celebrate the 4th of July with a mouth-watering pie. This combines a buttery graham cracker crust with layers of smooth cream cheese and fresh berries. This red, white, and blue treat is perfect for any holiday gathering — and it’s sure to make a splash on your dessert table.
Not a fan of this Freedom pie recipe? Whip up a tart cherry pie or a decadent cream pie instead. Blueberry pie and strawberry pie make great options, too. For extra flair, use star or heart-shaped cookie cutters to top your pie with a special patriotic touch.
Star-Spangled Shortcake
Upgrade the traditional strawberry shortcake with a patriotic twist. Layer creamy vanilla cream with ripe red strawberries and blueberries between layers of crunchy shortcake. The contrast of tart berries and sweet cream will keep your taste buds singing as you celebrate the stars and stripes in style.
Slice store-bought pound cake into one-inch-thick slices, layering them on a plate. Top with a dollop of whipped cream, followed by sliced strawberries and blueberries. Repeat the steps until the cake is completely filled. Drizzle with additional cream and berries for a beautiful finishing touch.
Fourth of July Berry Trifle
Take your Fourth of July recipe book to the next level with a patriotic trifle. This classic English dessert is sure to impress with its layers of creamy pudding, sweetened cream, and crunchy ladyfingers. Set against the backdrop of red strawberries and blueberries, a Fourth of July trifle can do no wrong.
Layer store-bought ladyfingers in the bottom of a bowl. Top with a layer of vanilla pudding, followed by sweetened cream and fresh strawberries and blueberries. Repeat the steps until the bowl is filled, then top off with a sprinkling of sugar. Refrigerate until this dessert/appetizer is ready to serve and enjoy.
Frozen S'mores
Beat the heat with a Fourth of July dessert that asks, “What if a s’more had a baby with an ice cream sandwich?”
Frozen s'mores are the perfect dessert, combining layers of creamy vanilla ice cream with graham crackers, chocolate pieces, and marshmallow fluff. Top it off with sprinkles and whipped cream for an IG-worthy recipe.
Layer one-inch thick slices of ice cream between graham crackers in small mason jars. Top with mini chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff and freeze until solid. When ready to serve, top off with a scoop of whipped cream and sprinkles.
Chewy Brownies
Whether you're hosting a BBQ or just having a few friends over, chewy fudge brownies are always a hit. To make your own 4th of July-inspired treats, start with a classic batch of brownies and mix in patriotic-colored candies (think: M&Ms).
Once they're baked, let the brownies cool before cutting them into star-shaped pieces. For a little extra pizzazz, top with a generous drizzle of white chocolate, a dash of colorful sprinkles, and a handful of crushed Oreos. Delicious!
Stellar Slushie Delight
Get ready to cool down and celebrate the 4th of July with a festive and refreshing slushy. All you need is two cups of your favorite frozen fruit, 1/4 cup of water, and a few tablespoons of your sweetener of choice.
Blend all the ingredients until smooth and pour into ice cube trays. Freeze for several hours or overnight, then blend the frozen fruit cubes in a food processor to create your slushy. Serve over ice and top with whipped cream and sprinkles for a stellar summer treat.
Pro Tip:Kicking it poolside this 4th of July? Float and sip in style with our Floating Cabana Bar — the ultimate floating drink station. Whether mixing in-pool cocktails or creating the ultimate summer lemonade stand, the Floating Cabana bar provides endless possibilities for the ultimate summer soiree.
Main-Dish-Worthy Dessert Recipes
Summer is all about enjoying the good things in life, and that includes delicious desserts. Whether you're spending the 4th of July with family and friends or looking for a refreshing treat on a hot day, these 4th of July-themed treats are sure to keep you cool.
So go ahead and try one (or all!) of these desserts, and enjoy the summer sunshine with a sweet treat in hand.
Here at FUNBOY, we're celebrating the US of YAY by the pool with our top-of-the-line floats and inflatables. From the iconic Blue Sol Cabana Dayclub to the luxe Stars & Stripes Mesh Chair, we have something for everyone.
Sources:
History of Independence Day | A Capitol Fourth | PBS
That 'American' apple pie actually goes back to Europe in the Middle Ages | The World from PRX
Today in History - July 4 | Library of Congress
40 Easy 4th of July Desserts for All Your Celebrations | Country Living
