25 Fourth of July Desserts that Will Make Your Holiday Sparkle (2024)

4th of July Cookie Pizza

This kid-friendly Fourth of July dessert starts with purchased (or homemade) chocolate chip cookie dough. Dress it up with all the s'mores essentials—marshmallows, graham crackers, and melted chocolate. Add a touch of the stars and stripes with red, white, and blue sprinkles ($13, Walmart) and candies.

Star-Spangled Birthday Cake

America deserves an all-out birthday cake, and we're obsessed with the sparklers and confetti on this one. Make your own sparkler cake toppers by covering bamboo skewers in metallic washi tape and layering fringed tissue paper ($2, Target) at the top. We used edible confetti (made from cut-up sugar sheets) and a decorated sugar cookie in the shape of a 4 to finish off the look.

Flag Cake

The Fourth of July just isn't complete without a flag cake! Show your pride on Independence Day by serving this patriotic dessert recipe loaded with fresh raspberries and blueberries—all arranged to look like an American flag, of course.

Star Pound Cake

Salute our nation's independence with this effortless Fourth of July pound cake dessert recipe. Use star-shape cookie cutters—one 3-inch and one 1-inch—to cut slices of cake and strawberries. Then drizzle with our simple powdered sugar icing for a pretty red, white, and blue dessert.

Berry Trifle

Zero special equipment is required for this terrific Fourth of July trifle. Simply cube angel food cake and pile it into a glass trifle bowl with layers of fresh fruit and creamy Greek yogurt. Finish with sweet fresh fruit.

Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

If you're in a pinch and need a scrumptious dessert to feed a crowd, don't fret. This easy cheesecake-inspired recipe is here to save the day. These bars (with a yummy shortbread cookie crust and sour cream honey topper) are finished with slices of fresh strawberry, but you can also add fresh blueberries for a touch of red, white, and blue. Voila! A festive Fourth of July dessert that's ready in no time.

Cornbread Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Hot summer days like the Fourth of July call for frozen treats to cool things down. So try our soft. sweet cornbread cookie ice cream sandwiches for your next patriotic get-together. They are showy (look at those star cut-outs!), scrumptious, and sure to wow your guests.

Berry Slab Pie

For a fuss-free Fourth of July pie recipe, look to frozen puff pastry. No one will guess you didn't make this completely from scratch. Bake it with summer's bounty of fresh berries, sprinkle with sparkling coarse sugar, and cut into bite-size bars (or stars!) that are perfect for potlucks.

Swirled Fourth of July Bundt Cake

While the outside of this bundt cake recipe is beautiful, the real show happens when you slice and serve. The batter is swirled with the colors of the American flag, so each serving can help you show off your patriotism! If you like cream cheese frosting on cinnamon rolls, then you'll love the decadent drizzle that tops this Independence Day cake.

Berry-Yogurt Rocket Pops

You'll need just four ingredients to create these frozen Fourth of July pops. To create the summer dessert, layer Greek yogurt and homemade berry sauce in star-shape ice pop molds. Freeze overnight or until completely set.

Homemade Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake originates in Latin America, but this light, cream-based cinnamon cake can be an all-American addition to your Fourth of July dessert recipe lineup. Simply decorate with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. (Try our three Test Kitchen secrets for extending the life of your fresh fruit.)

Editor's Tip: Bake the cake up to a day ahead and chill, unfrosted, until just before party time.

Sparkler Cupcakes

The heat is on enough as it is outside, so keep your cool with a simple Fourth of July cupcake recipe. Dress up a confetti cake mix with festive firework-inspired zigzags (made by piping frosting onto wax paper) for a delicious July Fourth dessert. The recipe comes together in less than an hour—perfect for an impromptu patriotic party treat.

Apple, Rhubarb, and Raspberry Pie with Almond Star Crust

We're starry-eyed about this pretty piecrust, Crisp, tart fruit fills this festive Fourth of July dessert. Use different-size star cookie cutters to create the topping, then cut out smaller stars to edge the pie.

Vanilla Cake with Buttercream, Berries, and Jam

Four layers are better than one when it comes to this sky-high dessert. Stuffed with red and blue berries and creamy white buttercream, classic white cake gets a final festive and fruity spin from strawberry jam.

Editor's Tip: Get a jump on party prep by baking and freezing the cake layers up to a month ahead.

Red, White, and Blue Parfaits

For a sweet Independence Day dessert that isn't packed with calories and fat, try these pretty parfaits. Just five ingredients are necessary to add a festive, fresh touch to your holiday menu.

Editor's Tip: If you prefer, try cherry or strawberry yogurt in place of the vanilla.

Vegan Ice Cream Base

Did you invite some vegan pals to the party? This party-ready vegan ice cream recipe ensures they can indulge, too. Just five ingredients are required for this frozen treat—but red- and blue-hued berries make delightful (and on-theme) mix-ins.

Red, White, and Blueberry Ice Cream Dessert

This frozen Fourth of July ice cream dessert is festive, fun, and sure to be a hit. Slices of vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet make up the American flag-inspired treat, which is topped with fresh blueberries and sweet hibiscus syrup.

Classic Blueberry Ice Cream Pie

Ice, ice, baby! This sensational July Fourth frozen dessert recipe comes together with ripe blueberries, vanilla ice cream, and a few kitchen staples. For patriotic pizzazz, add raspberries or strawberries to the topping.

Raspberry Sorbet

Prepare this simple sorbet the night before your Fourth of July party for sweet relief from the hot summer day. Sprinkle with blueberries or blackberries for an added touch of holiday color.

Editor's Tip: Try serving your finished sorbet in a carved watermelon bowl!

Red Velvet Cake Roll

Talk about a timeless dessert! Red velvet cake rolled into a pretty log with a fluffy sour cream filling is a showstopper for any occasion. To take it to the next party-worthy level, add a patriotic touch to this easy Fourth of July recipe by topping with fresh blueberries and raspberries and serving it on a white cake stand ($25, Crate & Barrel).

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake bars are stellar for sharing. (Each tray serves 32!) With not one, but two, sources of cocoa goodness, this vibrant red patriotic dessert bar recipe will be a hit with all the chocoholics.

Spiked Raspberry-Lemonade Cupcakes

It wouldn't be a Fourth of July party without a refreshing glass of lemonade. These sweet-tart cupcakes take the summer barbeque essential into fancy co*cktail party territory with raspberry liqueur-spiked frosting. Crown each cupcake with a raspberry, blackberry, or blueberry—or a combo of all three—to create a pretty red and blue dessert.

Dipped 4th of July Fruit Cones

Top your cone with more than a scoop of ice cream! This no-bake Fourth of July recipe stars fresh fruit salad and white chocolate-dipped waffle cones. Finish each handheld treat with a drizzle of honey and vanilla whipped cream and serve in a short Mason jar ($11 for 12, Target).

Lemon Icebox Pie

The flavors of classic lemonade shine in this no-bake, make-ahead and serve straight from-the-fridge Fourth of July pie recipe. Top the finished dessert with candied lemon slices and fresh whipped cream.

Blackberry Icebox Cake

Dig into this creamy icebox cake at your outdoor Fourth of July party. It's made with just five simple ingredients and requires four hours of freezing time. Slice and garnish each piece with fresh blackberries.