This collection of Fourth of July desserts features classic American favorites and refreshing red, white, and blue treats. Perfect for any patriotic celebration!
4th of July Desserts
No matter where you live in the USA, your Fourth of July celebration is likely to include a few key elements: fireworks, barbecue, a parade, and maybe a hot dog or two. Around here, we honor the stars and stripes with most of those things, but we especially covet our Fourth of July desserts!
While flag cake is likely one of the most popular 4th of July desserts (would you want to see a recipe for that?), I typically like to stick to classic American favorites for July 4th. This means recipes like apple pie, s’mores, and something served with or resembling our nation’s favorite dessert, ice cream (like these ice cream cone cupcakes). What better way to celebrate America’s birthday than with the foods that she loves?!
Today’s collection includes the classics I mentioned above plus several of my favorite summer dessert recipes. Many are already patriotic or easily altered to be so, and all are carefully tested and crowd-pleasing. You’ll surely find a favorite or two!
Of all of these 4th of July desserts, strawberry pretzel salad is my current favorite. Aside from its incredible flavor, it’s also *perfect* for picnic and parties. It’s easy to transport, serves right from the pan, and feeds a crowd! We enjoy it for holidays year round, but it is especially fitting here with its distinct red and white layers. Serve on blue plates or top with a few fresh blueberries, and you’re good to go!
1. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Minimal bake time, refreshing, and patriotic–what more could you want from a July 4th dessert?!
2. Blueberry Pie
We all can agree that blueberry pie is pretty much the official dessert for the month of July, right? My version is served on a homemade pie crust and has a perfectly set filling!
3. Star Spangled Cookies
Between the star shape and swirled red, white, and blue icing, these star spangled cookies are one of the most patriotic Fourth of July desserts! This recipe borrows the same swirled icing technique from my heart cookies–so pretty!
4. Coca Cola Cake
Transform America’s favorite soda into a chocolatey sheet cake! The fudge frosting is my favorite part 😉
5. Cheesecake Bites
These cheesecake bites are the perfect finger food for parties and picnics! Top with fresh berries for a tasty (and patriotic) twist!
6. Apple Pie
Apple is America’s favorite pie, so you know I had to include it in this list of 4th of July desserts! I also have apple pie cookies and apple pie cheesecake.
7. Banana Pudding
Another classic American dessert! Banana pudding is so refreshing on a hot summer day. Or make my banana cream pie–that’s a classic too!
8. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple upside down cake is a classic choice for summer birthdays, including America’s birthday! If you’d prefer a version that doesn’t require any slicing, try my pineapple upside down cupcakes.
9. Funnel Cake
One of the most beloved summer carnival or fair foods here in America, funnel cakes are so nostalgic and fun to make!
10. Berry Crisp
So summery, and if you serve it with vanilla ice cream, this berry crisp 100% counts as a red, white, and blue dessert! I also have apple crisp and peach crisp, if you’ve eaten all of your summer berries already.
11. S’mores Cookies
S’mores are a MUST on the July 4th, so you know I had to include these s’mores cookies in this list of Fourth of July desserts. I also have peanut butter s’mores bars–yum!
12. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a classic American dessert, so it’s right at home in this list. My pecan pie bars are equally as delicious and a huge hit!
13. Strawberry Crumb Bars
The perfect 4th of July dessert for a picnic! These bars travel well and are a crowd-pleaser.
14. Ambrosia Salad
A traditional southern dessert, Ambrosia salad will keep everyone feeling cool and refreshed.
15. Angel Food Cupcakes
These cupcakes are so pretty and patriotic when topped with homemade whipped cream and fresh berries! Or keep it classic with traditional angel food cake.
16. Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie
Perfect for summer and the 4th of July! I also have a strawberry cream cheese pie, if that’s more your thing.
17. Texas Sheet Cake
You don’t have to be a Texan to love this cake! It’s perfect for a party, since it’s served right from the pan it bakes in. Also try my Mississippi mud cake–it’s very similar!
18. Peach Cobbler
Another classic American dessert (and the official dessert of Georgia!)! I also have recipes for strawberry cobbler and blueberry cobbler.
19. Watermelon Cookies
Not exactly patriotic, but July is in peak watermelon season here in the USA. Stick with the watermelon theme and make my watermelon lemonade to drink!
20. New York Cheesecake
Americans know that New York cheesecake is the ultimate cheesecake! If you’re feeling a bit lazy (or don’t want to turn on the oven in July–I get it), you can always go the no-bake route with my no-bake cheesecake.
21. Blueberry Crumb Bars
Similar to the strawberry crumb bars I shared earlier, but this time with blueberries! Make both and serve on the same platter for a patriotic Fourth of July dessert.
22. Mississippi Mud Pie
Named after the muddy banks of America’s widest river, this pie is perfect for the Fourth of July! It’s sweet, feeds a crowd, and requires absolutely no baking.
23. Red, White, & Blue Chocolate Chip Cookies
A patriotic spin on one of America’s favorite desserts, chocolate chip cookies!
24. Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
No-baking invovled, and you can easily make them patriotic by popping a blueberry on the top of each one!
25. Key Lime Pie
Born out of the Florida Keys, key lime pie is beloved all across the USA. I have key lime pie bars, key lime cookies, key lime cheesecake, and a key lime cake too!
26. No-Churn Ice Cream
Ice cream is largely considered America’s favorite dessert, so I had to include it in my list of 4th of July desserts! I have a few more flavors including cookie dough ice cream, cookies and cream ice cream, key lime pie ice cream, and even a rice krispie treat ice cream.
27. Boston Cream Cupcakes
A tasty dessert from a key city during America’s fight for independence! Everyone loves these 😋
28. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is a beloved American dessert made with sweetened biscuits, macerated strawberries, and whipped cream. Also try my strawberry shortcake cake!
29. Oreo Pie
America’s favorite cookie, but in pie form! I have plenty more Oreo desserts for you if pie isn’t your thing: Oreo cake, Oreo cheesecake, Oreo brownies, and even homemade Oreo cookies!
30. Maryland Peach Cake
*The* summer dessert from my home state! You’ll find this served at 4th of July celebrations across the Old Line State.
BONUS: Savory 4th of July Recipes!
Chances are, you will be eating something else besides dessert on the Fourth. Not to worry, I also have a HUGE collection of summer salad recipes perfect for a Fourth of July cookout or barbecue!
Head on over to that post for the full list, but first, keep scrolling for a few of my favorite 4th of July recipes of the savory variety.
31. BBQ Chicken
I also have BBQ chicken meatballs and pressure cooker pulled pork, if you’d prefer those!
32. Smash Burgers
Impress your guests with restaurant-style smash burgers! So quick and easy to make!
33. BLT Dip
This recipe is a nice break from the heavy, super rich dips we enjoy in the fall and winter months!
34. Deviled Eggs
It’s hard to eat just one! My recipe has a sneaky secret ingredient that sets it apart from the rest.
I hope this list inspires you to celebrate the USA with something sweet and festive. If there are any Fourth of July desserts missing from this list that you’d like to see, please leave me a note below so I can add them!
And don’t forget to check out my summer salads for even more Fourth of July recipes!
Enjoy, and happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
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