These red, white and blue desserts are perfect for Labor Day, Fourth of July and Memorial Day parties.
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Patriotic Cookies & Cream Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring on the red, white and blue with these creative cupcakes, perfect for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any favorite occasion. With some delicious and colorful frosting and a careful arrangement, your sweet display will be a patriotic nod to our great American flag. —Rebecca Wetherbee, Marion, Ohio
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Flag Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Get ready to hear oohs and aahs! This stars-and-stripes cake is sure to light up your Fourth of July party or other patriotic celebration. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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All-American Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
With apples, cherries and blueberries, this patriotic slab pie even tastes American. If the day doesn't call for stars and stripes, feel free to use any shaped cookie cutters you like for this awe-inspiring potluck dessert. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Patchwork Quilt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake has a great homemade flavor and tender crumb. Be sure to pile on the buttery frosting, which adds a burst of vanilla. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Berry Tiramisu
From the Recipe Creator:
Because I love tiramisu, I came up with this deliciously refreshing twist on the traditional coffee-flavored Italian dessert. Fresh softened berries star with crisp ladyfinger cookies and mascarpone cheese. Serve it from a glass bowl or in clear dishes to show off the luscious layers.
—Najmussahar Ahmed, Ypsilanti, Michigan
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Angel Food Loaf Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This angel food loaf cake is a fun twist on the classic recipe, which is usually baked in a tube pan. It'd be especially delicious served with fresh whipped cream and strawberries! —Lucile Proctor, Panguitch, Utah
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Crispy Star Pops
From the Recipe Creator:
These red, white and blue patriotic pops are a hit at our annual Fourth of July get-together. Serve them as an after-picnic dessert. Or slip them into cellophane bags, tie on ribbons and give them as favors. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Red, White and Blue Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy pie gets dressed up with berries to make a showstopping display at any Fourth of July party or summer get-together. It's as pretty as it is tasty! —Kimberly McFarland, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
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Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re tight on time, you can use store-bought cookies, but I highly recommend making these oatmeal chocolate cookies from scratch. The dessert sandwiches are pure fun. Sometimes I decorate the sides of the sandwiches with colorful jimmies, too. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
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Red, White and Blue Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
I changed a recipe I found and ended up with this rich, fresh-tasting dessert. Decorated to resemble a flag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July or any other patriotic occasion. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Berry, Lemon and Doughnut Hole Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
After my son called and said he was bringing home his college roommates, I was able to whip up this quick yet impressive red, white and blue dessert in only a few minutes. It’s been a family favorite ever since. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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Bomb Pop Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
The sound of the ice cream truck has even my husband running out to the curb with money in hand. Our neighborhood has a big potluck on the Fourth of July, so I decided to make cookies that resemble Bomb Pops. These were a big hit! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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Cheesecake Cups
From the Recipe Creator:
These bite-sized cheesecakes don't require baking, making them easy to whip up. With a graham cracker crust and a topping of whipped cream and fresh berries, they're the perfect little treat to serve at any party. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
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Red-White-and-Blue Berry Delight
From the Recipe Creator:
Loaded with fresh strawberries and blueberries, this luscious red, white and blue dessert is perfect for any Fourth of July celebration! —Constance Fennell, Grand Junction, Michigan
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Patriotic Pizzas
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a pie-in-the-sky-idea—fruit pizzas you decorate like a high-flyin' flag! You can decorate it with stripes for the U.S. or with a maple leaf for Canada. Both designs consist of tangy fruit and smooth cream cheese over a tender crust. Since each version is simple to make, you can quickly create either one for a summer picnic or patriotic party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Star-Spangled Parfaits
From the Recipe Creator:
The best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
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Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve tried “light” cheesecake recipes before with mixed results. Making a few changes, I created a rich, creamy cheesecake filling that truly tastes like the real deal. —Katie Farrell, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Red, White & Blue Berry Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
This luscious trifle tastes best if made the day before serving. Keep additional berries on hand for decoration. —Kaia McShane, Munster, Indiana
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Cheesecake Berry Parfaits
From the Recipe Creator:
The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
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Elegant White Chocolate Mousse
From the Recipe Creator:
Simply elegant is a fitting description for this smooth treat. Whipped cream teams up with white chocolate to make this easy white chocolate mousse recipe extra special. —Laurinda Johnston, Belchertown, Massachusetts
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Springtime Beignets & Berries
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
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Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina
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Two-Berry Fluff Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
This fluffy salad is a welcome treat on warm Texas afternoons. Because there's a blueberry orchard near our home, we often pick up berries to use in this recipe and others. When blueberries and strawberries aren't in season, you can substitute frozen berries with equally good results. —Karen Wenzel, Conroe, Texas
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Mixed Berry Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a delightful way to enjoy summertime fruits. If you're short on one of the berries, just make up the amount with one of the other fruits in the pie. —Elaine Moody, Clever, Missouri
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Berries & Cream Torte
From the Recipe Creator:
It's so easy to see why this fruity dessert always impresses dinner guests. I sometimes substitute the berries with sliced bananas. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
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No-Bake Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they're usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland
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Berry Tarts
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring spring flavors together in these delectable miniature tarts. Raspberries and blueberries both work well with the whipped cream and lemon curd mixture—or choose your favorite berries instead. These sweet treats are great for a ladies tea, brunch or spring holiday celebration. —Mary J. Walters, Westerville, Ohio
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Red, White and Blue Frozen Lemonade
From the Recipe Creator:
This red, white and blue drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
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Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops
From the Recipe Creator:
These delicious ice pops can also be made with raspberries or blackberries. The rosemary sprig and lemon zest bring another layer of flavor. The pops are quick, easy, kid-friendly and freezable. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
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Patriotic Frozen Delight
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I pick lots of fruit at berry farms in the area and freeze it to enjoy all year long. This red, white and blue dessert has a refreshing lemon flavor. —Bernice Russ, Bladenboro, North Carolina
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July 4th Jell-O Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely salad makes quite a "bang" at our July Fourth meal. It's exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Red, White & Blueberry Poke Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
A sweet treat in the summer, this patriotic poke cake with dazzling red and blue stripes is a fun one to make with the kids. —Elisabeth Schulz, Blossvale, New York
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Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Red, White ‘n’ Blue Torte
From the Recipe Creator:
My guests see fireworks when I turn a frozen pound cake into a patriotic pleaser! Assemble this tempting torte early in the day and keep it in the refrigerator until it's time for dessert. —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
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Patriotic Pops
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love homemade ice pops, and I love knowing that the ones we make are good for them. We whip up a big batch with multiple flavors so they have many choices, but these patriotic red, white and blueberry ones are always a favorite! —Shannon Carino, Frisco, Texas
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Red, White 'n' Blue Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Our striking “flag” salad drew plenty of attention at our Independence Day party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Patriotic Desserts FAQ
What makes a dessert patriotic?
A patriotic dessert has roots in American history and tradition or features red, white and blue colors in honor of the American flag. Quintessential American desserts include apple pie, red velvet cake, peach cobbler, St. Louis gooey butter cake, Boston cream pie, New York cheesecake, pecan pralines, buckeyes, hummingbird cake, banana pudding and carrot cake, to name a few. To give them a festive red, white and blue look, add themed sprinkles, whipped cream, mixed berries or tinted frosting. Even sticking a few sparkler candles into a dessert adds a patriotic touch.
What are the best red, white and blue desserts?
The best red, white and blue desserts are our flag cake, patriotic cookies-and-cream cupcakes, all-American pie and patriotic pizzas. Why? They’re all shaped and hued like the American flag! For something more subtle, try a berry tiramisu, layered trifle or mixed berry pie that uses fruit and cream to fit the color scheme of the occasion.
What are the best desserts for Fourth of July and Memorial Day?
The best desserts for Fourth of July and Memorial Day have a patriotic twist and can be served cold or at room temperature, since it’s often a hot day. Serve chilled layered dessert bars, icebox cakes, ice cream cakes, homemade ice pops and cut-out cookies (star-shaped, of course!) that have classic summer flavors or are decorated with red, white and blue. You can’t go wrong with a flaky, sweet fruit pie topped with a scoop of ice cream or homemade whipped cream, or a chilled or frozen summer pie.
