27 Easy 4th of July Desserts and Sweet Treats
One of my favorite ways to celebrate the Fourth of July is with a fully loaded dessert table, and today I’m sharing 4th of July dessert inspiration in one spot.
Whether you’ve already planned your main menu featuring everything from barbecue and burgers to cocktails and canapés, these patriotic desserts are here to end your fête on a sweet note.
Lucky for us, the holiday falls in the middle of peak berry season, so blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries make for simple, yet tasty options for decorating desserts in blue and red.
So I’ve gathered all of my favorite dessert recipes that are perfect for a 4th of July celebration, it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for no-bake desserts you can easily make ahead, desserts that will feed a crowd, or desserts that are naturally red, white, and blue.
You’ll find easy recipes such as no-churn ice cream and icebox desserts, festive cakes, seasonal fruit pies, cookies that taste just as good as they look, ice cream treats, and more.
If you’re baking ahead or want something you can whip up in under an hour, there’s a sweet option here for everyone.
After a big meal of smoky grilled meats, hot dogs, potato salad, and all the Fourth of July favorites, a little something sweet can be just the pick-me-up you need.
From an eye-catching fruit tart that tastes like summer to red, white, and blue cupcakes, no-bake cheesecakes, chocolate bark, Rice Krispie treats, and patriotic cookies, these all-American desserts are worth bookmarking.
However you choose to celebrate, any of these dessert recipes are sure to dazzle brighter than the fireworks and sparklers.
4th of July Cupcakes (Tie-Dye Swirl)
These cupcakes bake up soft and vanilla sweet, then crack open with red, white, and blue swirls tucked inside, which is honestly the fun part. The frosting stays simple, the sprinkles do the flashy work, and the whole batch looks fancier than the effort it asks from you. This is the sort of summer dessert that fits Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, backyard cookouts, picnics, and those paper-plate afternoons that somehow run long.
4th of July Crinkle Cookies (Red & Blue, So Easy)
Soft and chewy 4th of July crinkle cookies in bright red and blue with a snowy powdered sugar crackle. The easiest patriotic cookie for any summer holiday cookie tray.
4th of July Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes
These 4th of July mini no bake cheesecakes have a buttery graham cracker crust, three layers of red, white, and blue cheesecake filling, and a fluffy whipped cream swirl with patriotic sprinkles. The cutest no bake dessert for any summer cookout.
Red White and Blue Chocolate Bark
This red white and blue chocolate bark is a no-bake patriotic chocolate bark made with a dark chocolate base, white chocolate layer, candy melt swirls, chocolate candies, and star sprinkles. It is easy to make ahead for 4th of July parties, Memorial Day cookouts, and summer dessert trays.
Patriotic Pinwheel Cookies
These patriotic pinwheel cookies are soft sugar cookies you slice and bake, with red, white, and blue swirls and sprinkle edges. They are a fun make-ahead cookie for 4th of July parties, cookouts, and summer dessert trays.
Firecracker Pretzel Rods
These firecracker pretzel rods are crunchy pretzels dipped in red, white, and blue candy melts with star sprinkles. They are a simple patriotic snack for 4th of July parties, cookouts, and dessert trays.
Independence Rice Krispie Treats
These Independence Rice Krispie treats are chewy marshmallow cereal bars with red, white, and blue candy drizzle. They are an easy patriotic dessert for 4th of July parties, cookouts, and snack tables.
Patriotic Boozy Cherry Bombs
These patriotic boozy cherry bombs are vodka soaked maraschino cherries dipped in white candy coating and blue sanding sugar. They are a cold adult party treat for 4th of July cookouts and summer gatherings.
Red White and Blue Chocolate Cupcakes
These red white and blue chocolate cupcakes have a rich chocolate base with patriotic buttercream swirls and star sprinkles. They are a festive cupcake for 4th of July parties, summer birthdays, and cookout dessert trays.
Red White and Blue Trifle
This red white and blue trifle has soft cake, vanilla custard, whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries layered in small cups. It is a cold patriotic dessert for 4th of July parties and summer cookouts.
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
This no bake strawberry cheesecake has a buttery graham crust, a fluffy pink filling, and fresh berries on top for a chilled dessert that slices clean and looks lovely on the table.
Strawberry Shortcake
This strawberry shortcake stacks tender biscuits with whipped cream and juicy sugared berries for a bright easy dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Peach Cobbler
This peach cobbler bakes with syrupy fruit under a golden soft topping and gets even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Lemon Pound Cake
This lemon pound cake has a buttery crumb, bright citrus flavor, and a glossy lemon glaze that makes the loaf look as good as it tastes.
Kitchen Sink Cookies
These kitchen sink cookies are loaded with chocolate, pretzels, chips, and candy for a sweet-salty cookie that never tastes dull.
Patriotic Fruit Kabob Skewers – Thyme For The Table
Easy fruit skewers are the perfect healthy finger food in the summer. These 4th of July themed kabobs are so festive for all the summer holidays.
Whether you are bringing a side dish to a BBQ with friends, brunch with family or a picnic, this patriotic treat will be devoured. Kids and adults both love them!
Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars – Celebrate with a Simple Recipe!
These cookie bars are versatile, allowing you to decorate them with festive toppings and sprinkles that symbolize national pride. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or a picnic in the park, these festive sugar cookie bars will surely impress your guests and satisfy their sweet cravings. Dive into this delicious recipe and make your 4th of July celebration truly unforgettable!
Easy American Flag Fruit Pizza
This is one of those desserts that looks pretty fancy, but is actually really easy to make! And it’s absolutely delicious. The base, or “pizza crust”, is a great big sugar cookie made from refrigerated cookie dough (easy!). The creamy filling is a super simple no bake cheesecake mousse (yum!) and then the flag is created with fresh blueberries and raspberries.
4th of July Strawberries
These 4th of July strawberries are my new favorite because they’re so easy to make, plus they’re bright and colorful! And who doesn’t like chocolate covered strawberries (other than my chocolate hating son, ha!).
They’re the perfect addition to any 4th of July party!
Patriotic Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches
For a fun red, white, and blue dessert, make these Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches! They’re super easy to make, and they come together in minutes (you should freeze them for about an hour, tho…
Red, White & Blue Mini Cheesecakes: A Fun Patriotic Dessert!
These Red, White and Blue Mini Cheesecakes are smooth, creamy and easy to make! Perfect for your 4th of July patriotic celebration!
Patriotic Poke Cake
Red, white and blue Patriotic Poke Cake is perfect 4th of July dessert. It’s easy, fun, festive and delicious, and a great cake recipe to make
Red, White, and Blue Cake Balls
The cutest dessert for 4th of July or Memorial Day! Red, White, and Blue Cake Balls are so easy and so delicious.
Boozy Cherry Bombs Are The Drunken Treat You Need
Boozy Cherry Bombs are the bite-sized treat you’ve been missing in your life. These require just 4-ingredients are so easy to make for your next party! Boozy Cherry Bombs Nothing screams summer like an alcoholic
Red, White and Blue Dirt Cups
A delicious, kid friendly no-bake dessert that’s perfect for summer! These fun and festive Red, White and Blue Dirt Cups are layers of Oreos, pudding and topped with gummy worms.
No Bake Fireworks Oreo Cheesecake Bars
No-Bake Fireworks Oreo Cheesecake Bars add a little spark to lusciously creamy Oreo Cheesecake Bars. Made with Oreos that include a surprise
4th of July Cookies – Inside BruCrew Life
Sprinkles and Oreos add a fun flair to these easy 4th of July Cookies. These fireworks cookies are the perfect holiday treat for parties!
Make Ahead Tips
The smartest thing you can do with this dessert spread is make as much as possible the night before.
Most of these travel well and taste just as good, sometimes better, after a night in the fridge.
The chocolate bark, rice krispie treats, patriotic popcorn, and pretzel rods are your most make-ahead friendly options.
Make them two days ahead if you want, they hold at room temperature covered loosely, and they actually firm up nicely overnight.
Store them in a single layer so they don’t stick together.
The mini no-bake cheesecakes and Jell-O shots need the fridge and are better made the day before.
They need time to set properly anyway, so making them on the 3rd is genuinely ideal rather than just convenient.
Cupcakes and cookies can be baked the day before and kept at room temperature covered with a tea towel or loosely wrapped.
Frost the cupcakes the morning of so the frosting stays fresh and doesn’t weep in the heat.
The fruit salad is best assembled day-of, but you can prep and cut everything the night before and keep it in separate containers in the fridge.
Toss it together an hour before serving.
Cherry bombs and froyo cups should be made the day before and kept in the freezer.
Pull them out about ten minutes before serving so they’re not rock solid.
The one thing to keep in mind in July heat, anything with whipped cream or fresh frosting needs to stay cool. Keep those on ice or in a cooler until the moment they hit the table.
