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Patriotic Pastries

July 4th is just around the corner, and while we're celebrating America's independence, why not celebrate your natural gifts for making very impressive desserts? Oh, you're not a naturally gifted dessert-maker? No matter. We've rounded up dozens of over-the-top desserts that are both easy to execute and patriotically themed. While these are all stunners, you can always make any of them even more festive with accessories such as sparklers, America flag toothpicks, or by plating them on plates and stands with a patriotic theme. You could also use your culinary independence to go the more-savory route. Either way, use your imagination and be prepared for compliments about your stellar entertaining.


Related: Easy, Patriotic Foods to Bring to a Fourth of July Party

Freedom Cookie time by Quinn Dombrowski (CC BY-SA)

Fireworks Sugar Cookie Cake

Sugar cookies may not be the first things that come to mind when you think "impressive desserts," but when this cake-sized version hits the celebration, it'll be anything but boring — despite the familiar flavors, the bold presentation is worthy of your party. Just make sure there's some cream of tartar and baking soda on hand for the baking to keep this giant cookie chewy and soft.


Recipe: Crazy for Crust


Related: The Best Classic Cookie Recipes

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Flag Cake

Ina Garten may not have invited us all to the Hamptons for the holiday, but she did create this delicious sheet cake recipe, so we can probably forgive her. The cake can be served right from the pan and makes for as many as 24 servings.


Recipe: Ina Garten


Recipe: Best Store-Bought Desserts From Costco

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Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters

Panna cotta already sounds impressive, and would be lovely for any Independence Day party, but why not make it patriotic while you're at it? Layer red grenadine syrup, a coconut panna cotta, and blue curaçao — the edible glitter is optional, but a lot of fun.


Recipe: Sprinkle Bakes


Related: Restaurant-Worthy Twists on Boring Pantry Staples

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Red Velvet-Blueberry Ice Cream Pie

When you hear the name of this dessert, you probably first think, "Yum!" and then, "Oh, but that's probably hard to make." Fear not — it's only five ingredients, and comes together quickly and beautifully, with a big head start from one of the ingredients being store-bought red velvet cupcakes.


Recipe: Food Network


Related: Easy Frozen Desserts to Enjoy This Summer

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Vodka-Soaked 'Firecracker' Berries

For the grownups, these boozy firecracker strawberries will be the perfect way to get the celebration going. The recipe requires only 10 minutes, leaving you time to work on other parts of the meal or maybe even make another dessert. The spirit-inspired recipe calls for vodka, but if you prefer tequila or rum, use that instead. Whatever you soak the strawberries in, they're dunked in marshmallow fluff, then sprinkles.


Recipe: Delish


Related: The Best Vodka Under $30

Grilled donuts by Jenni Konrad (CC BY-NC)
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Fourth of July Cake Roll

Your friends who binged "The Great British Baking Show" on Netflix will be so impressed by this cake. You should be finished making it in less than an hour, too. The trick is to spread the red- and blue-dyed batters in the pan in alternating stripes.


Recipe: Taste and Tell


Related: Gifts for Fans of "The Great British Bake Off"

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No Bake Patriotic Cheesecake

Don't feel like spending more time in a hot kitchen? This dessert using cream cheese and whipped cream — no eggs or flour — is here for you. After setting up in the freezer, it's the perfect refreshing end to a backyard celebration.


Recipe: Down Redbud Drive


Related: Cheap and Easy Cheesecake Recipes

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Red, White, and Blue Meringues

We can just hear guests exclaim, "You made us meringues?!" No one has to clue them in that meringues are actually quite easy to make, though you'll need to know how to use piping bag and have a piping tip and small paint brush on hand. (Why? To make the lines of red and blue food coloring that'll come out on the meringues.)


Recipe: Farmgirl Gourmet


Related: Why Dishes Such as Sushi and Pad Thai Should Never Be DIY

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Berry Tart With Brown Butter Shortbread Crust

Chefs everywhere are obsessed with nutty, toasty brown butter (another thing that sounds much harder to make than it is). This recipe uses that lovely flavor, which becomes ethereal when paired with fresh summer berries.


Recipe: Bakerita

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Buzzed Cherry Bombs

Whether you serve these at the end of the meal for dessert or as a welcome nibble to start things off on the right foot, guests will love them. Feel free to sub in another flavor of vodka for the vanilla version, but don't skip their dip in white chocolate and blue sprinkles.


Recipe: Funny Is Family


Related: Boozy Milkshake Recipes You're Going to Love

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Red, White, and Blue Candy Raspberry Bars

People may not serve candy bars as dessert very often, but most people also don't make their own patriotic versions for July 4th parties — including homemade nougat. These are a great option if you don't want to serve a huge dessert but still want to make a confectionary impression suitable for our country's birthday. 


Recipe: Cherry Tea Cakes via PopSugar


Related: How to Make Classic Childhood Candies

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White Chocolate Mousse with Fresh Berries

Mousse is another dessert that sounds much trickier to make than it actually is — this one by Sarah Jampel is a no-bake, no-freeze dessert with three ingredients that takes only 20 minutes to make. But it's elegant and holiday-appropriate.


Recipe: Food52


Related: Delicious Recipes That Don't Require an Oven

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Ice Cream Cone Cupcake

Want an ice cream cone? Or do you want a cupcake? Why settle for just one? Make this recipe for the best of both, in which the trick is pouring cake batter into the cones to bake, then giving them a festive topping.


Recipe: Our Family of Seven


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Patriotic Parfaits

There's nothing like serving dessert in a mason jar to say, "This dessert tastes and looks beautiful, but will be neither fussy nor overdone." These overdeliver on flavor and feel fresh, yet decadent. One is just 270 calories, even with angel food cake.


Recipe: Woman's Day


Related: 50 Easy Recipes You Can Make in 20 Minutes or Less

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Simply the Best Blueberry Pie

Sometimes, the old staple desserts with just a bit extra are the best way to wow a crowd. This pie with Fourth of July stars will impress your guests, especially with a dollop of whipped cream on top. But just because it's easy to make doesn't mean it's fast: From prep time through cooling to serving, it'll take about seven hours.


Recipe: Sally's Baking Addiction


Related: Classic Pie Recipes

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Hot Dog Pull Apart Cupcake Cake

This recipe isn't quite America-themed, but also isn't quite not America-themed. What's more American than hot dogs? Or even cupcakes? They were invented in the U.S., and this one uses 16 of them (along with a few food colorings and pastry bags with medium tips). Maybe the cleverest element is using green gummy bears for relish.


Recipe: Food Network


Related: Best Cupcakes in Every State

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Red White and Blue Berry Coconut Slushies

Perfect for a hot summer day, this recipe offers a refreshing Fourth of July-themed treat. Add some booze if you want — tequila, vodka, or rum would work well. Just start by picking up some lemonade, frozen strawberries or raspberries, blueberries, coconut milk, and agave nectar. 


Recipe: Kitchen Confidante

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Blue and Red Berry Ricotta Galette

Blogger Deb Perelman is known for delicious, everyday-friendly recipes, and this gorgeous galette is no exception. There's no need to tell your guests that "galette" is more or less French for "pie, but way easier to make": about 15 minutes of prep time and twice that to bake.


Recipe: Smitten Kitchen


Related: Traditional Holiday Dishes From Around the World

Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwich by Ann (CC BY)
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Jell-O Shots

Hosting an all-adult celebration this year? Why not start out the festivities with these Jell-O shots? They're 100% guaranteed to get the fun (and patriotism) going.


Recipe: Hoosier Homemade


Discover more fun and festive recipes right here.