My 4th of July cookout has to have a really fun themed dessert or two. I put this list together to showcase either the red, white and blue theme, the in-season, bright flavors of lemon and strawberries, or to poke fun at the cheeky saying “It’s as American as apple pie.”
Dive into my collection of red, white, and blue desserts that are festive, easy, budget-friendly, or all three. These July 4th desserts will make your celebration the sweetest yet. 🍓🍋🫐
15 July 4th Dessert Ideas
Kitchen effort from super easy to advanced levels are marked accordingly.
1. Mixed Berry Pastries – EASY
Flaky, golden pastries bursting with juicy berries—simply unroll store-bought crescent roll dough, fill and bake.
2. Lemon Crazy Cake – MEDIUM
With lots of zesty lemon, this one is moist, but made without eggs or dairy, this snack cake gets rave reviews. (Mine includes an easy cream cheese frosting, but you can swap out a nondairy cream cheese if you’d like.)
3. Apple Pie Dip – EASY
Apple desserts don’t get much easier than this one. All the warm, cinnamon-spiced goodness of apple pie but even better for a sweet treat before the fireworks start.
4. Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies – MEDIUM
Sweet, tart, and studded with creamy white chocolate chips—these cookies are a celebration in every bite.
5. Pink Strawberry Fluff – EASY
Light, airy, and bursting with strawberry sweetness—it’s like a cloud of summer joy and a whole lot of nostalgia.
6. Lemon Sorbet – MEDIUM
Cool, refreshing, and super lemony—this no-churn, DIY sorbet is your heatwave hero. Serve in paper cups and those cute wooden spoons.
7. Strawberry Blueberry Pretzel Salad – MEDIUM
Sweet berries, crunchy pretzels, and creamy layers—this sweet and salty “salad” is definitely dessert, but if you can’t break out the nostalgic ideals of the 70s on Independence Day, then when??
8. Cherry Pie Bars – MEDIUM
Buttery sugar cookie crust, luscious cherry filling, and a sweet glaze—these bars are bar-none delicious. This is a no-cream-cheese treat that will look great on the dessert table.
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9. Apple Dapple Cake – MEDIUM
Moist apple cake drizzled with a rich caramel glaze—it’s a slice of Americana. Warm up leftover servings to re-animate the gooey topping.
10. Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich Cake – SUPER EASY
Layers of creamy ice cream sandwiches, whipped topping, and fresh strawberries—this icebox-style cake is a cool crowd-pleaser, one of my favorite ice cream desserts.
11. Blueberry Crisp – MEDIUM
Juicy blueberries topped with a golden, buttery crumble—serve warm with ice cream for maximum bliss.
12. July 4th Rice Krispies Ice Cream Sandwiches – SUPER EASY
Chewy, crispy, and filled with ice cream—these simple, easy ice cream sandwiches are one of my easiest no-bake patriotic desserts!
13. Very Berry Cheesecake Pie – ADVANCED
While this one does have a lot of steps, you can scale it back by leaving out the cranberry swirl. It’s a simple no-bake cheesecake in a pretzel crust piled high with strawberry compote and fresh berries. The slices are a vibrant red-white-and-blue!
14. Cherry Cheesecake Cups – EASY
Easy to assemble and make ahead, these no-bake individual portions are great for a grab-and-go party dessert. Create a few with blueberry pie filling too and you have all the colors of the American flag!
15. Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad
Ah, yes, the salad slash dessert conundrum continues, with a midwest appeal. Popping with berries, marshmallows and lots of cheesecake flavor, this easy no-bake dessert rules the potluck
The bottom line
It’s good to celebrate, even if this year you just aren’t sure how or why. Let your dessert table do the flag-waving. From juicy berries to zesty lemon and all the sugar-fueled fireworks in between, these treats don’t just capture summer—they devour it. 🇺🇸🍓🍋💥
Want more 4th of July recipes for meal inspiration? We got you.
