Here are our top kid-friendly dessert ideas for feeding a patriotic party on a budget. The best part: Every recipe can be recycled and reused on July 4.
Wave Your Flag Cake
This Kraft recipe uses pound cake, JELL-O, and berries to create an edible American flag. Cool Whip and JELL-O can be purchased for only a few dollars total, and frozen fruit can be substituted for fresh fruit to help cut costs.
Serves: 18
Photo, recipe, instructional video, and ingredients found at: https://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/wave-your-flag-cake-50205.aspx
Angel Food Flag Cake
Similar to the “Wave Your Flag” cake, this recipe calls for spongy angel food cake at its base and fruit and Cool Whip on top. Raspberry jam is spread over the cake before it is chilled to add extra flavor.
Serves: 16
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/angel-food-flag-cake/c84b8ddc-549f-4978-9a9d-2d1cfa4a7bfd
Star-Spangled Banner Treats
A holiday twist on one of the simplest dessert recipes, these Rice Krispy Treats are decorated with stars, stripes, and sprinkles. Perfect for last-minute parties, these miniature flags can be made and decorated in less than an hour.
Serves: 8
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at: https://www.ricekrispies.com/recipes/star-spangled-banner-treats
Spangled Sandwich Pops
All this recipe requires is a box of ice cream sandwiches, a can of sprinkles, Popsicle sticks, and cupcake liners! Simple skewer the ice cream, shake the sprinkles, and you’re done!
Serves: 12 (With a box of 12 sandwiches)
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at: https://spoonful.com/recipes/spangled-sandwich-pops
Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
A slightly more-advanced version of the “Spangled Sandwich Pops,” these ice cream sandwiches require baking cookies and inserting the ice cream by hand. To save on time, purchase jumbo cookies from the store and simply scoop the ice cream in at the last minute. Top with red, white, and blue sprinkles for a finishing touch!
Serves: 12
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at: https://www.militarywivessaving.com/patriotic-red-white-and-blue-ice-cream-sandwiches-recipe/
Firecracker Cookies
These simple cookies made from cake batter rely on patriotic-colored sprinkles to give them their fun, firework-esque appearance. Their soft texture and vibrant colors are sure to make them a hit with any crowd.
Serves: 30
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at: https://cookincowgirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/firecracker-cookies.html
JELL-O Firecrackers
These cold treats are made from different flavors of JELL-O gelatin and topped with maraschino cherries. Fun for kids to hold and eat, this dessert is also extremely cheap to make. Kraft suggests substituting blueberries or strawberries for an additional festive touch.
Photo, recipe, instructional video, and ingredient list found at: https://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/jell-o-firecrackers-136629.aspx
Rice Krispies Treat Sparklers
These dessert kabobs are easily assembled at the last minute, requiring only basic Rice Krispy treats and red and blue fruit! Moms and kids can skewer the sweet treats together. Add ribbon to complete the patriotic look.
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at: https://www.5minutesformom.com/57796/making-everyday-food-special-rice-krispy-treat-sparklers/
Red, White, and Blue Candied Popcorn
Just boil a mixture of sugar, salt, and water on the stove, add vanilla and food coloring, and pour over popped popcorn. Violá! Place popcorn in a large serving bowl, or wrap up in individual bags for partygoers.
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at: https://www.theidearoom.net/2011/06/red-white-and-blue-candied-popcorn.html
Patriotic Cupcakes
Use food coloring to dye the inside of these cupcakes red, white, and blue. Top with white frosting and colorful sprinkles or fruit.
Photo, recipe, and ingredient list found at:
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