Preparing a delicious 4th of July dessert is one of the best ways to celebrate Independence Day. After all, there’s no better way to spend the holidays than with good food among friends and family. If you need a little inspiration, check out these Fourth of July dessert recipes.
Delicious 4th of July Dessert Recipes
Many Americans choose to hang up a flag of the country for Independence Day. It’s a great way to showcase your patriotism and celebrate the holiday. Moreover, the practice is protected, so HOAs can’t ask homeowners to remove the American flag completely. However, it’s not the only way you can celebrate the occasion.
Food is another great way to celebrate the holiday. It’s a wonderful way to bond and bring people together. Hence, it’s no surprise that over half of Americans planned to spend Independence Day with a cookout in 2022.
However, even the best 4th of July recipes can feel empty and unfulfilling without dessert. That’s why we highly recommend topping off your family meal with a dessert for July 4th. Check out these 4th of July desserts and see what you like.
1. Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is one of the best recipes for 4th of July desserts that match the season perfectly. It’s creamy, refreshing, and delicious. Plus, it’s easy to make because there’s no baking involved!
Ingredients:
- For the pie crust:
- 12 graham crackers
- ⅓ cup of brown sugar
- 6 tbsp. of melted butter
- For the filling:
- ¾ cup of heavy cream
- 1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
- 12-ounce cream cheese
- 2 tsp. freshly grated lime zest
- ½ cup key lime juice
- Lime zest and whipped cream, for serving
Directions:
- For the pie crust:
- Put the brown sugar and graham crackers in a food processor bowl. Process them finely for one minute. Pour the mixture slowly in melted butter as the processor runs. Process the crumbs until they’re like coarse sand.
- Transfer to a deep 9-inch pie plate. Press the crust firmly and evenly to the bottom and sides of the pan with the bottom of a measuring cup. Place the crust in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- For the filling:
- Use a sand mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Alternatively, you can also use a hand mixer with beater attachments. Then transfer the mixture to another bowl.
- Add lime zest, cream cheese, and sweetened condensed milk in the stand mixer bowl. Use a paddle attachment to beat on medium-high speed until smooth for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Turn the mixer to low speed and add key lime juice slowly. Boost the speed up to medium and mix until it combines. Remove the mixture from the stand mixer and fold the whipped cream gently.
- Spoon the filling into the pie crust and make an even layer. Refrigerate the pie for 12 hours.
- Serve with whipped cream and lime zest.
2. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
The Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is one of the healthiest 4th of July cake recipes out there. It’s fruity, fluffy, and screams classic American 4th of July dessert.
Ingredients:
- Baking spray with flour
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- 12 maraschino cherries
- 1 15-ounce can of pineapple slices in juice
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 8-ounce can of pineapple slices in juice
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened and divided
- 2 cups and 2 tbsp. granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
- ¾ cup of light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- Ice cream, for serving
- 1 ¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided
- Whipped cream, for serving
- 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray baking spray on a 9×13-inch baking pan—line it with parchment paper.
- Drain the pineapples and pat dry. Set the liquid aside. Toss 2 tbsp. of sugar and cornstarch in a bowl with the pineapple. Transfer to a pan and add cherries in the center.
- Melt ¾ cup of butter. Mix the sugar and ½ tsp. of salt, simmer for 3 minutes. Pour 3 tbsp. of pineapple juice and whisk until smooth. Then pour the caramel over the pineapples.
- Beat 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar, and vanilla in a stand mixer for 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one by one, beating them after each addition.
- Whisk baking soda, baking powder, flour, and ½ tsp. of salt in a bowl. Add it to the butter mixture, alternating with sour cream. Mix and spread the mixture onto the pineapple.
- Bake for 50 minutes with foil on top. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes without the foil. Invert on a plate and remove the parchment. Cool for 10 minutes, and then slice.
- Serve with whipped or ice cream.
3. Strawberry Cobbler
Are you craving fruity desserts for 4th of July? Why not try this strawberry cobbler to start? It’s simple and quick, so you don’t have to take too long to prepare it for dinner. Just make sure to completely thaw and drain your strawberries if you’re using frozen ones.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 ½ cups strawberries, halved
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar, divided
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Bring out a 10-inch cast iron skillet and add butter. Then heat it in the oven for 5 minutes until the butter melts. Swirl the pan from time to time. Afterward, remove the pan and set it aside.
- Whisk 1 cup of sugar, milk, and flour in a medium bowl. Then add the other ¼ cup of sugar and cornstarch and continue whisking. Mix in and stir the lemon juice and strawberries.
- Pour the mixture into the cast iron skillet. Spoon the mixture and its juices evenly without stirring.
- Prepare a foil-lined baking sheet and place the skillet on top. Place the skillet and baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown. This takes about 60 to 75 minutes.
- Let the strawberry cobbler cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
4. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This odd salad is surprisingly one of the most delicious 4th of July jello recipes available. It’s also an almost no-bake dessert so it’s one of the fastest July 4th easy desserts to whip up!
Ingredients:
- For the salad crust:
- 4 cups of pretzel sticks
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- For the cream cheese filling:
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces of sour cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- For the strawberry jello topping:
- 6 ounces of strawberry-flavored gelatin powder
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 1 lb. fresh strawberries, stemmed and sliced
Directions:
- For the salad crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350° and crush the pretzels. Stir the pretzel crumbs, brown sugar, and butter in a bowl. Press the mixture on a 9×13 baking dish. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool the crust on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
- For the cream cheese filling:
- Beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the stiff peaks form. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
- Beat the sugar, cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla in the bowl you used to beat the cream. Use medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the whipped cream bowl and fold to combine them. Spread the mixture evenly on the pretzel crust. Chill in the fridge for an hour.
- For the strawberry jello topping:
- Dissolve and mix the gelatin powder and boiling water in a bowl. Stir the strawberries in. Chill the mixture in the fridge with a cover for one hour.
- Spoon the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer. Chill it until it sets for 2 hours or overnight.
- Cut the pretzel salad into squares and serve chilled.
Celebrate the Day With Scrumptious Desserts
Adding a 4th of July dessert to your menu is a great way to enhance your holiday meal. Some of these recipes do take more time to prepare. They’re certainly worth the effort if you want to enjoy scrumptious sweets with your friends and family.
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