Southern Living
Holidays & Occasions
4th of July
Celebrate the Fourth with Our Best Red, White, and Blue Desserts

Celebrate the Fourth with Our Best Red, White, and Blue Desserts

By Lisa Cericola

Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

On the Fourth of July, a red, white, and blue dessert is almost as important as the fireworks. Whether you’re hosting a cookout or bringing a dish to a potluck, you need something fun, festive, and sweet to end the meal—and it doesn’t have to be complicated to make. Summer berries are at their peak right now, so put them to good use in one of these delicious treats, including pies, no-bake cheesecakes, cookies, cobblers, and more.

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Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Cake

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Cake

An ice cream cake is always a welcome guest at any summer party, and this one, made with blueberry-vanilla ice cream, raspberry sorbet, and pound cake is perfect for the Fourth.

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Whiskey Pie with Tipsy Berries

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Whiskey Pie with Tipsy Berries

Our test kitchen upgraded the classic buttermilk pie with bourbon, with delicious results. And they didn’t stop there—the Tipsy Berry topping has an extra splash of bourbon. Make this dessert even more decadent by topping servings with coconut shavings or scoops of vanilla ice cream.

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Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet-Berry Cobbler

You can serve this berry cobbler straight out of the baking dish or scoop it into clear glasses for a pretty, layered look. We love pairing this dessert with our Cream Cheese Ice Cream, but you can use your favorite brand of vanilla ice cream to save time.

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Frosted Sugar-n’-Spice Cookies

Recipe: Frosted Sugar-n’-Spice Cookies

These tender sugar cookies are made with a touch of orange zest and warm spices for a deliciously different spin. Top with our easy-to-make frosting and red and blue sprinkles for a simple Fourth of July treat the kids will love.

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Flag Cake

Southern Living

Recipe: Flag Cake

Have a lot of fresh berries and a little time this 4th of July? This simple sheet cake is impressive without a lot of fuss.

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Very Berry Summer Pudding

Recipe: Very Berry Summer Pudding

This pudding is made with layers of ladyfingers and juicy fresh berries and cherries that chill overnight, melding into an impressive looking, cake-like dessert—with no baking required! Slice into wedges and top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream for a red, white, and blue look.

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Red, White, and Blueberry-Filled Cupcakes

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Red, White, and Blueberry-Filled Cupcakes

These cupcakes are easy to customize for any occasion. For the 4th of July, serve them with fresh berries or add a flag or star cupcake topper.

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Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes

Little hands will love these mini sandwiches filled with cream cheese whipped cream and sweet berries.

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Cherry Flag Pie

Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cherry Flag Pie

If you’re going to make one pie this 4th of July, it has to be this cherry pie.

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Patriotic Painted Mason Jars

Red, white, and blue are always appropriate colors on Southern porches, no matter what time of year it is. We love that these Patriotic Painted Mason Jars are functional, kid-friendly, and oh-so-charming. Fill with your favorite fresh blooms and display at your Fourth of July or summer party, or try using in the middle of your dinner table as an eye-catching centerpiece.

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Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake

What goes best with a tasty red velvet cake? Some yummy vanilla ice cream. We combined the two to make an impressive layer cake.

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Blueberry Cobbler with Sugared Star Shortcakes

Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler with Sugared Star Shortcakes

You won’t find a cuter dessert that comes together in less than 20 minutes! Use a half-and-half mix of blueberries and strawberries for a red, white, and blue look.

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Fourth of July Confetti Roulade

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Fourth of July Confetti RouladeWe love a good roulade. Cutting into this white cake will give your guests a surprise when they see the colorful sprinkles.

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Strawberry-Blueberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches

Van Chaplin

Recipe: Strawberry-Blueberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches

No time to bake? This is the dessert for you. Instead of serving ice cream sandwiches straight from the box, dress them up with sliced fresh berries and dollops of whipped cream.

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Berries with Tequila Cream

Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Berries with Tequila Cream

Upgrade your usual dish of summer berries with this luscious tequila-spiked whipped cream.

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Chewy Red, White, and Blue Cookies

Recipe: Chewy Red, White, and Blue Cookies

Bring these to the neighborhood barbecue and watch them disappear. No one can resist our soft oatmeal cookies, especially when they are filled with chocolate candies.

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Icebox Cheesecake

Recipe: Icebox Cheesecake

You can make this no-bake cheesecake with a classic butter cookie crust or a salty-sweet pretzel crust. Whichever you choose, don’t skip the berry-cherry topping, which is drizzled with a mixture of orange liqueur and blackberry jam.

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