No Fourth of July celebration is complete without red, white, and blue eats. Fun, unexpected, and utterly patriotic, they’re an ideal addition to your party spread. You can take advantage of ingredients’ natural hues or use food coloring to turn pretty much any white food into an ode to America. Check out these easy ideas and whip up one, or a few, for your Independence Day fete.
1. Red, White, and Blue Chocolate Chips
These colorful chips couldn’t be easier to make. Plus, they’re versatile enough to turn any dessert into a star-spangled celebration.
Ingredients
- White chocolate chips (mini ones will melt more easily)
- Red and blue food coloring
Directions
- Divide the white chocolate between three microwave safe dishes.
- Microwave the white chocolate until it melts, about 1 1/2-2 minutes.
- Use a spoon to mix up the chocolate so it’s smooth.
- Add a swirl of blue and a swirl of red food coloring to two of the dishes.
- Mix in the food coloring until the chocolate is completely coated. You can add more food coloring until the desired hue is achieved. Place all three blobs of melted chocolate on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Use a knife to spread out the chocolate into long, thin slabs. Let cool. (Speed up the process by putting your baking sheets in the fridge.)
- Cut up the chocolate into little squares or whatever shapes you like. You could even just break it apart with your hands.
- Sprinkle your chips on ice cream for a patriotic sundae, or use it to top a pie or cupcakes. If you use a white base (such as ice cream or icing), you only need to decorate with red and blue chips. You could also cut the chocolate slabs into larger pieces and serve as is.
2. Swirled Cupcakes
Source: Skinny Mom
Cupcakes are always a crowd pleaser, especially when they’re dressed for the occasion. Starting with a vanilla cake mix base makes the swirly colors even easier to achieve.
3. Colorful Popcorn
Source: Lily the Wandering Gypsy
This is the perfect salty-and-sweet Independence Day snack food. Simply divide your popcorn into three and cover two of the portions with red and blue candy melts.
4. Patriotic Pinwheels
Source: Just a Taste
Not only do these cookies look adorable, they’re also deliciously soft and chewy — and made from the most basic ingredients. Even better, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, so they’re easy to bake for your guests.
5. Rice Krispies Treat Pops
Source: Baking Beauty
This classic dessert gets a Yankee spin with red, white, and blue layers. Tie a bit of ribbon onto the sticks so they’re ready to party.
6. Patriotic Pasta
Source: Pretty in Pistachio
Make an eye-catching entrée out of these colorful ravioli. You could dye pre-made cheese raviolis, or get ambitious and make them from scratch.
7. Layered Cheesecake
Source: Tablespoon
It doesn’t get much more American than cheesecake, unless of course it’s made with layers of red, white, and blue. For an even easier alternative, cover plain white cheesecake with raspberries and blueberries.
8. Dipped Strawberries
Source: Marina’s Kitchen
Who doesn’t love chocolate dipped strawberries? On the Fourth, they’ll taste even better dipped in white chocolate and blue sprinkles.
9. Whoopie Pies
Source: Ambrosia
These adorable little desserts are simply 2 colored cookies with sweet cream cheese frosting wedged between. The light fluffy cookies don’t require long in the oven (perfect for summer baking), and they’re best made ahead of time for stress-free party throwing.
10. Meringues
Source: Farmgirl Gourmet
These simple cookies are a cinch to make in patriotic hues. These crunchy, slightly chewy treats can also be flavored with extracts or zests, and you can shape them into any design you like, such as hearts, stars, and more.
11. Patriotic Pancakes
Source: Tastes of Lizzy T’s
Kick off Independence Day with a bright breakfast. These easy pancakes are made out of red velvet cake mix, and you can serve them with whipped cream and blueberries for all the right hues.
12. Flag Cake
Source: Betty Crocker
This cake looks amazing, but it’s surprisingly straightforward to make. It’s simply a matter of cutting and layering in the correct way, and it’s worth it for such a fabulous Fourth of July dessert.
13. Flag Popsicles
Source: The View from Great Island
You only need three healthy ingredients to make these tricolored popsicles; blueberries, strawberries, and yogurt. If you don’t have a popsicle maker, this one from Amazon is inexpensive and effective.
14. Ice Cream Sandwiches
Source: Basil Magazine
This is a ridiculously easy dessert, perfect for last-minute party preparations. Simply roll ice cream sandwiches in patriotic sprinkles, then serve them as is or on a Popsicle stick.
15. Breakfast Toasts
Source: Taste and Tell
These easy breakfasts or snacks are healthy and great for kids. Simply layer toast with butter or cream cheese, raspberry jam, blueberries, and bananas.
16. Ice Cream Cones
Source: Noble Pig
For an easy party dessert, make an ice cream buffet that includes these patriotic waffle cones. Just dip them in white chocolate and coat with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
17. Snack Mix
Source: Glorious Treats
This party mix is perfect for a crowd, and you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. The basic recipe includes pretzels, popcorn, cereal, peanuts, white chocolate, and red and blue candies.
18. Star Spangled Banner Bars
Source: She Knows
These candy bars, made out of nougat, cookie, and a chocolate coating, are way tastier and more patriotic than the store-bought variety. They take some time to make, but are well worth the effort and would be amazing party favors.
19. Fireworks Fudge
Source: Hoosier Homemade
Make easy homemade fudge with a marshmallow fluff base, dye it, layer it, and swirl it together to resemble fireworks. Adding star sprinkles completes the effect.
20. Stars & Stripes Chocolate Pretzels
Source: Cookin’ Cowgirl
This super easy snack will satisfy both your salty and sweet tooth. Melt white chocolate on mini pretzels, then stick red, white, and blue M&Ms on top.
21. Red, White, and Blue Grilled Cheese
Source: Ari’s Menu
This American food staple takes a colorful turn when you combine white cheese with red raspberry jam and blueberries. Mixing Brie and goat cheese makes it especially delicious.
22. Fireworks Daiquiris
Source: Food Network
OK, it’s not exactly a food, but you can have this daiquiri as an appetizer or dessert. This is a celebration, after all!
July 4th means summer and celebration, which calls for food that’s just as eye-catching as the fireworks. Your family and guests will get a kick out of these patriotic dishes, many of which can be made ahead of time for an easy and awesome Independence Day.
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