food

50 4th of July Desserts That Never Go Out of Style

Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

Barbecue menus for the Fourth can turn real cheesy real quick. And between cocktails, apps, sides and a hot dog bar, dessert might just be the easiest course to drop the ball on. Red, white and blue cupcakes? Boooring. Here are some festive treats to take to your fête that are tasteful—and tasty. Presenting 50 4th of July desserts that are guaranteed to impress.

Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Cherry Slab Pie

When it comes to crust, more is more.

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Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. 3-Ingredient Strawberry Ice-Cream Shell

Pure nostalgia.

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Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Mini Strawberry Ice-Cream Pies

Roasting the strawberries will bring out all their sweet, juicy flavor.

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Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Peaches-and-Cream Ice Pops

Roasted peaches and brown sugar bring summery sweetness to tangy Greek yogurt.

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Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Fourth of July Ice-Cream Cake

Now *that’s* how you celebrate.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. One-Ingredient Watermelon Sorbet

Does it get any easier than twice-frozen watermelon? We think not.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Grilled Angel Food Cake with Blueberry Sauce

Why should your oven have all the fun?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. Watercolor Doughnuts

True works of art.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Berry Galette

Introducing a foolproof way to bake a pie.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Peanut-Butter Freezer Pie

It’s our favorite way to eat peanut butter.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Berry-Coconut Rocket Pops

You’ll never be too old to cool off with one of these.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies

Also known as the most American dessert ever.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Strawberry-Mango Hawaiian Shave Ice

This DIY gem doesn’t require a shave ice machine or a flight to Maui.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14. Chocolate Waffle Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Bring on the sprinkles, chopped nuts and caramel sauce.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15. No-Bake Berry Tiramisu

If the color scheme works…bake it.

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© Joann Pai/À Table

16. Strawberries and Crème

So simple, yet so delicioius.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17. Grilled Pineapple Split Sundae with Cherry Sauce

Keep the coals glowing all night.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18. Puff-Pastry Plum and Thyme Galette

Ooh, pass the vanilla ice cream.

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Robert S. Cooper/A Real Southern Cook

19. Blackberry-Raspberry Skillet Cobbler

The more berries, the merrier.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Skillet Peach Cobbler

Nothing beats a summer peach.

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Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. Blackberry Jam Pie-Crust Straws

A sparkler in one hand, a pie straw in the other.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

22. Blackberry Panna Cotta Tartlets

It’s heavy on the fruit, but light on effort.

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Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

23. No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake

Cool and creamy, no oven required.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Strawberry Pie with Strawberry Crust

Tastes as good as it looks.

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Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell

25. Fresh Fruit Ice Pops

This calls for a farmers market trip.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

26. No-Bake Cheesecake with Raspberry Compote

For those of you who avoid the oven at all costs come summer.

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Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

27. Pink Lemonade Bars

Your picnic won’t be complete without a little lemonade.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

28. Peach Cobbler

Have biscuit dough, will travel.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

29. Glazed Blueberry Cake

It's basically a fruit salad, right?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

30. Lemon-Berry Sheet Pan Trifle

Starring your trusty baking sheet.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

31. Sweet Corn Doughnut Holes

Summer’s favorite vegetable goes dessert.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

32. Blueberry Crumble Pie

Two desserts coming together in streusel-topped harmony.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

33. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Your cutest barbecue guests yet.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

34. Oven-Baked S’mores Bars

And the crowd goes wild.

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The Creative Bite

35. Patriotic Flag Fruit Platter

It doesn’t get any easier (or more festive).

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Two Peas and Their Pod

36. Blackberry Lime Bars

Great things come in small packages.

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Whitney Bond

37. Berry Cream Fillo Baskets

Berry delicious.

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Whitney Bond

38. Grilled Berry S’mores

Strawberries are required. A campfire is not.

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Sally’s Baking Addiction

39. Chocolate Cupcakes with Creamy Raspberry Frosting

No holiday is complete without chocolate.

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The Cupcake Project

40. Pop Rock Popsicles

Pop these into your mouth now. They rock. See what we did there?

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Whitney Bond

41. Gluten-Free Dessert Cups

Filling blueberry muffins with ice cream and fresh fruit? Genius.

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Averie Cooks

42. Key Lime Pie Bars

One bite and boom, you're on a sunny Florida beach.

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The Pig and Quill

43. Pink Drink Pops

Strawberry + white chocolate + coconut + green tea = cool, creamy magic.

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The Butter Half

44. Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Floats

So simple, so sweet.

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The Creative Bite

45. Light Berry Angel Food Cake

It’s ready in 15 minutes, so there’s zero fuss.

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Half Baked Harvest

46. Vanilla Bourbon Cherry-Blueberry Pie

We’ll never get over these cute star cut-outs.

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The Cupcake Project

47. Cherry Cobbler Cupcakes

Also doubles as a centerpiece.

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Saving Room for Dessert

48. Nectarine Blueberry Pie

A layer of pie dough stars > regular old crust.

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Plays Well With Butter

49. 5-Ingredient Frozen Yogurt Bites

Coolest dessert at the barbecue? We think so.

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Half Baked Harvest

50. Brown Butter Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Toast Crumbs

Hello, gorgeous.

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