Independence day for the United States of America commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, marking the country’s freedom from the British Empire. It’s about bravery and cupcakes, liberty and fruit kabobs, sacrifice and whipped cream, and of course, honor and barbecues. It’s always fun to dress in red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July, but this year I decided to take the festivities to the next level and try out some fun patriotic recipes. If no one you know is suffering from a break up and you need an excuse to bake, try out some of these fun recipes. These ideas make for some delicious decorations at parties and are quick and easy to make. Embrace your patriotism and get creative!

1. Flag Cake

The biggest hit out of all the recipes is this flag cake. It’s easy to make and is perfect for dessert. All you need is: strawberries or raspberries, blueberries, cake mix, and white frosting. If you want to go above and beyond, make your own frosting. My sister makes butter cream frosting with powdered sugar, which will make any cake taste amazing and look professional. But, if you’re looking for a quick alternative, I used cream cheese frosting which is also delicious. If fruit is not your thing, red and blue M&Ms are a fun topping.

2. Dipped Strawberries

These are incredibly easy to make and look adorable. Just dip strawberries into white chocolate and roll them in blue sprinkles. Display them on patriotic plates or napkins and use them as tasty decorations.

3. Sweet Fruit Kabobs

Create some cute fruit kabobs that work for healthy friends and guests with a sweet tooth. Use blueberries and strawberries, or if you want them to look like fireworks, cut out star shapes of watermelon. Add on any of your favorite desserts; the example below uses brownies and marshmallows. You can also use bananas or cream puffs or any other fun treats!

These classic chocolate cookies are patriotic and are a hit with pretty much anyone. You can also go with the classic decorated sugar cookie and get creative with the designs. Stick some red, white, and blue M&Ms into the cookie dough and enjoy!

These mini cheesecake trifles are to die for and they make beautiful center pieces. They look impressive and are much less complicated than they seem. The recipe can be found at www.glorioustreats.com. This website is great inspiration for desserts and decorations, and the trifles are perfect for the fourth of July.

Although the recipes shown here are desserts, there are many other options out there that can be served for lunch and dinner, like firecracker hot dogs or a red, white, and blue fruit salad. I hope these recipes inspire you to embrace your patriotism. Happy baking :)