Holidays & Occasions 4th of July 43 Festive Fourth of July Desserts for a Star-Spangled Spread By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on February 23, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Nothing says three cheers to the red, white, and blue like an assortment of berry-topped sweets and frozen treats. This year, deck out your dessert table with 4th of July-themed cakes and summertime pies that'll make your barbecue America's best party, hands down. Our selection of patriotic, party-ready dessert recipes is out to prove there's no such thing as too many red, white, and blue berry desserts and no one's too old for a popsicle. Kick things off with something that will cool the crowd off post-parade, like our Strawberry Milkshake or Red, White, and Blue Popsicles. For sweet nibbles during the day, kids will love our patriotic Red, White, and Blue Donut Wands while adults might enjoy our Bourbon Ice Cream Float. After dinner, pull out all the stops with a flag-inspired classic, like our Flag Cake or Cherry Flag Pie with homemade ice cream on top. No matter which 4th of July dessert recipes you decide to whip up, you're sure to spoil your guests in the most patriotic way possible. 01 of 43 Cherry Flag Pie Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Cherry Flag Pie If you're going to make pie for the 4th of July, it has to be this Cherry Flag Pie. Your stars and stripes don't have to be perfect. It only looks better with imperfections. 02 of 43 Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Cornmeal Cookie Berry Shortcakes These shortcakes are filled with cream cheese whipped cream and macerated berries that are perfect for the season. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter and save the extra stars to serve with the shortcakes. 03 of 43 Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars You can make these party-ready cheesecake bars up to two days before your July 4th celebration. 04 of 43 Red, White, and Blue Popsicles Jennifer Causey Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Popsicles It's not a true July 4th celebration without a red, white, and blue popsicle, and this homemade version tastes better than anything you can buy in a store. 05 of 43 Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake What's the perfect cake for a summer party? An ice cream cake. This red velvet cake has a center layer with ice cream that will keep things cool as you celebrate the 4th of July. We used a naked frosting technique and topped it with a pile of berries to keep it simple, but feel free to take things up a notch to impress your guests. 06 of 43 Flag Cake Southern Living Recipe: Flag Cake Turn a basic sheet cake into a festive desert with a few strawberries and blueberries. 07 of 43 Berry Cobbler Recipe: Berry Cobbler Here's your excuse to pull the slow cooker out mid-summer. 08 of 43 Fresh Strawberry Milkshake Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Milkshake Nothing quenches the thirst from a long 4th of July parade quite like a homemade strawberry shake. 09 of 43 Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake Jennifer Causey Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake Fresh summer berries and homemade frosting transform this summery cake into a festive favorite. 10 of 43 Black-and-Blue Buttermilk Tart Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Black-and-Blue Buttermilk Tart Not every Fourth of July dessert has to be dripping with berries...but then again, why not. This creamy tart is the perfect excuse for more berries. 11 of 43 Strawberry-Lemonade Cake Jen Causey Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cake There can never be too many strawberry treats on an Independence Day dessert table, and this layer cake is proof. 12 of 43 Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie Jennifer Davick Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie This cool classic pairs well with red, white, and blue streamers. 13 of 43 Red, White, and Blue Donut Wands Southern Living Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Donut Wands Salute the good old U.S.A in a way only colorful sprinkled donuts can. 14 of 43 Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Serve alongside a bright red and blue berry topping bar for a festive touch. 15 of 43 Strawberry Lemonade Pie Micah A. Leal Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade Pie Bright, sweet, and relentlessly refreshing, this cool pie will dazzle a crowd. 16 of 43 Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes Micah Leal Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes Fresh ingredients and fluffy cream cheese frosting combine for the perfect something sweet to nibble on before fireworks. 17 of 43 Katie Jacobs' Strawberry Shortcake Southern Living Recipe: Katie Jacobs' Strawberry Shortcake Light, fruity, and all things delicious, this strawberry shortcake is something to celebrate, holiday or not. 18 of 43 Watermelon Chiffon Pie Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Watermelon Chiffon Pie Berries aren't the only July 4th-approved fruits. Here's the perfect recipe to add a bit of seed-free but ever-so-sweet watermelon to your party menu. 19 of 43 Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Any excuse is a good excuse to slice up this stacked ice cream sandwich cake, but a 4th of July barbecue might be the best reason yet. 20 of 43 No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie Ice cream surrounded by a crispy pie crust and sundae-worthy toppings is just more fun. 21 of 43 Bourbon Ice Cream Float Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Bourbon Ice Cream Float This adult-only dessert is a well-deserved delight after a day manning the grill. 22 of 43 Peach Cobbler Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford Recipe: Peach Cobbler Summer holidays call for a classic fruit dessert. Go with this one. 23 of 43 Putt's Butter Pecan Sundae Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Putt's Butter Pecan Sundae There's nothing like a serving a rich family recipe on a holiday full of family fun. 24 of 43 Root Beer Float Ice Pops Photography and Prop Styling: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Root Beer Float Ice Pops The old-fashioned soda fountain favorite gets a contemporary twist as a popsicle. Cold, creamy, and icy, they're sure to compete for popularity with even your most well-loved Fourth of July dessert. 25 of 43 Creamy Peach Icebox Cake Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling; Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Creamy Peach Icebox Cake Ice cream, rich pound cake, and juicy peaches are just what you need for a show-stopping (but simple) dessert. 26 of 43 Blackberry Floats Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Recipe: Blackberry Floats A vibrant (but simple) blackberry syrup creates a dazzling, fizzy result that will keep everyone refreshed as you wait for the fireworks show. 27 of 43 Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake Joy Howard Recipe: Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake This cake comes together with just five ingredients, and the end result is a light summer dessert you'll want to bring to every party. 28 of 43 Watermelon Ice Cream Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Recipe: Watermelon Ice Cream Summer's unofficial fruit gets the ice cream treatment, and the final product will tickle you pink. 29 of 43 Fresh Peach Ice Cream Southern Living Recipe: Fresh Peach Ice Cream The secret to our vintage frozen custard? Evaporated and sweetened condensed milk, both which lend a divine richness. Throw in the season's ripest peaches and you've got one mighty summer treat. 30 of 43 No-Bake Strawberry Pie Joy Howard Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Pie The sweltering summer heat of the South is discouragement for many from turning on their ovens. Take this no-bake pie to the Fourth of July party instead. 31 of 43 Blueberry Ripple No-Churn Ice Cream Joy Howard Recipe: Blueberry Ripple No-Churn Ice Cream Swirls of blueberry, crunchy graham cracker crust, and a dash of preserves yields a creamy, refreshing dessert that'll be welcomed on a hot summer day. 32 of 43 Raspberry-Peach Parfait Pops Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Recipe: Raspberry-Peach Parfait Pops Make the best of summer's fruitful bounty with parfait pops. Juicy raspberries and peaches colorfully embellish the Greek yogurt and honey base. 33 of 43 Peach and Blueberry Cobbler Micah A. Leal Recipe: Peach and Blueberry Cobbler Blueberries and peaches are one of the ultimate summertime combinations. Serve warm at your Fourth of July barbecue with generous scoops of ice cream. 34 of 43 Buttermilk-Peach Popsicles Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Buttermilk-Peach Popsicles These vibrantly orange popsicles are sure to turn heads at the Fourth of July party. Be sure to taste the peaches before adding your honey—you may not need it. 35 of 43 Blueberry-Lavender Hand Pies Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Blueberry-Lavender Hand Pies This grab-and-go dessert will easily feed a crowd. It's packed with summer flavors all wrapped up in a crisp, flakey pastry. 36 of 43 Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake Stir, scoop, and you've basically got this shortcake. The strawberries in the biscuit base and the topping give you a double helping of juicy fruit, and sanding sugar gives the biscuits an extra crunch. 37 of 43 Blueberry-Lemon Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Blueberry-Lemon Cake This summery layer cake is its own version of patriotic with striking frosting, bright lemon cake, and blueberry garnish. 38 of 43 Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes We turn a beloved summer drink into a pretty cupcake that'll garner compliments from kids and adults. 39 of 43 Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake Take one of summer's most bountiful fruits, a chilled bottle of rosé, and you've got this summer snack cake. 40 of 43 Blueberry Snowballs Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Recipe: Blueberry Snowballs Shaved ice is a beloved way to beat the heat in New Orleans. Also called "snoballs," flavored ice gets mounded into Styrofoam cups to be enjoyed on a summer day. Ours features fresh blueberries and a bright squeeze of lemon juice. 41 of 43 No-Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: No-Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream The best thing about this ice cream is that you don't need fancy equipment to make it. Just a loaf pan will do, and the results are tasty. 42 of 43 Dreamsicle Cupcakes with Lighthouse Ice Cream Cones Emily Mingledorff, Pie Crust & Pixie Dust Recipe: Dreamsicle Cupcakes with Lighthouse Ice Cream Cones Give your Fourth of July or summer get-together a nautical spin with these Dreamsicle Cupcakes. With a little royal icing, personalizing the lighthouses is easy and fun. 43 of 43 Blueberry Galette Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Recipe: Blueberry Galette Jammy and overflowing with fresh blueberries, this pie couldn't be easier. Simply fold the pie dough around the filling and bake. If the filling seems like too much, don't worry. The berries will cook down. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit