Patriotic Red, White, and Blue Desserts for 4th of July (Or Any Day)

No matter if you’re celebrating the Independence Day, President’s Day, or Memorial Day, nothing lights up a buffet table like red, white, and blue desserts.

No backyard barbecue is complete without a festive treat to finish off the meal. Show off your American pride by making these summer dessert recipes as sweet treats at your next patriotic holiday. They're fuel-proof recipes for the busy home chef and gourmet desserts that almost look too artistic to eat. From classic striped sugar cookies to layer cakes bursting with color, there are no sweeter pre-fireworks shows than the patriotic artistry on display here. No matter what your skill set or holiday ambition, you’re sure to find a holiday favorite fit for a crowd.

Firecracker Sugar Cookie Bars

Firecracker Sugar Cookie Bars by Favorite Family Recipes

If you’re serving a crowd but find yourself short on time, these cookie bars are the way to go. They’re just too easy! Rather than scoop out one individual ball of dough for each cookie, press the dough into a sheet pan and bake. Once it's cooled, frost it and add pop rocks for a bit of festive flare.

Fourth Of July Tartufo

Fourth Of July Tartufo by Busy In Brooklyn

Never heard of tartufo before? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Tartufo is a traditional Italian dessert made from layered ice cream flavors (drool), smothered in chocolate. While the classic tartufo is almost a half-sphere in shape, this patriotic version can easily be made in a loaf pan, forming a rectangular dessert you can slice and serve to guests. Layer vanilla ice cream with red and blue food coloring, then drizzle milk and white chocolate over it.

Fireworks Patriotic Cupcakes

Fireworks Patriotic Cupcakes by Simple Thrifty

These firework cupcakes couldn’t be more fun to make. Get the whole family involved by making the homemade vanilla cupcakes first (angel food cake also works), then bring in the kids for the decorating. Use explosive pop rocks, red Twizzlers, and blue and white frosting for a festive treat.

Red, White, & Blue Kabobs

Red, White, & Blue Kabobs by Body Rebooted

Don’t think your baking skills would earn a blue ribbon? These red, white, and blue dessert kabobs from Body Rebooted are foolproof. All you need to do is alternate a mixture of fresh berries (fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries work great) with white marshmallows on a kabob stick for a festive snack or dessert.

Red, White, And Blue Velvet Mississippi Mud Pie

Red, White, And Blue Velvet Mississippi Mud Pie by Bright Eyed Baker

This patriotic treat is bound to be a crowd pleaser dessert — mainly because it’s three desserts in one. Start with an Oreo cookie crust, then sink your teeth into red velvet cake. Next up is the blue pudding layer, finally topped off with the frosting because who can enjoy red velvet without cream cheese frosting — even if they’re separated a little?

Red, White And Blue Panna Cotta

Red, White And Blue Panna Cotta by Baking Bites

Panna cotta is a sort of pudding dessert made by cooking cream with gelatin. This particular version is fit for any 4th of July party, made by layering three different custard flavors (in three different colors, of course) together. While you’ll need a little patience to create this recipe (one layer needs to set before you move on to the next), it's a surprisingly to easy dessert to complete.

Fourth Of July Flag Cake

Fourth Of July Flag Cake by Plain Chicken

If you’re looking for a flag cake recipe that carries the coveted “wow” factor, look no further than this recipe (er, work of art) from Plain Chicken. While your guests will certainly be impressed by your baking skills, there are a few ways to cut down on your effort in the kitchen. First, use boxed mixes to create your actual cake (you can also use store-bought frosting). From there, use food coloring is used to dye the cake layers different colors so when you cut into it resembles the American flag.

Patriotic Mini-Cheesecakes

Patriotic Mini-Cheesecakes by Kleinworth & Co

If your Memorial Day picnic is a gluttonous feast, your guests might be a little stuffed by the time desserts roll out. These patriotic mini cheesecakes are a portion-controlled treat to complete your backyard bash. Simply line muffin tins with the graham cracker crust, spoon in the cheesecake ingredients, bake, and serve.

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes by Our Family Of Seven

These ice cream cone cupcakes are fun treats for the kiddos and you can easily get them involved in the baking process. Have your little ones select their favorite cake mix flavor, then prepare the mix, and pour the batter into ice cream cones. Bake your “ice cream cones,” then pipe frosting on each and top with a cherry for a cupcake that looks like a frosty cone of soft serve.

Red White And Blue Cake

Red White And Blue Cake by Kitchen Simmer

Who can possibly resist red velvet cake? This recipe is fit for July Fourth, using red cake mix, white icing, and fresh blueberries for the full, “red, white, and blue” effect. With just four ingredients required, this cake makes the perfect centerpiece to your holiday spread, but requires little time to prepare.