Hail Red, White and Blue---- Desserts

By Elania Donofrio, GalTime Associate Producer

Fourth of July is just around the corner and that means it's time for cookouts, fireworks, and everything red, white, and blue, and that can include your desserts, too!

When planning for the patriotic holiday, color coordinating decorations and outfits are always a must, so why not have your sweet treats match for the occasion, as well? Making red, white, and blue desserts can be a simple and fun way to add a little something extra to your Fourth of July cookout this year.

FRUIT, FRUIT, FRUIT

Lucky for us, quite a few fruits fall into the red, white, and blue category. Strawberries, cherries, raspberries, and watermelon are all great red options. Both blueberries and blackberries work well for blue while white apricots and peaches are perfect for white. Making a fruit salad using these choices is a healthy and not to mention refreshing way to incorporate some patriotic colors into your menu. In addition to a basic fruit salad, you can add these fruits into other great desserts.

Related:How to Serve Fruit as Dessert

Celebrity Chef Jamie Poole, a nutrition expert and licensed chef, has a delicious, simple recipe for her Star Spangled Tart (PRINT THE RECIPE), which uses fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries and costs under $20 to make!

Chef Jamie Poole's Star Spangled Tart

The Pie Ladies of Centerville Pie Co. love to make their Patriotic Pie (PRINT THE RECIPE) for the Fourth of July, which uses blueberries, cherries, and creative latticing to make their treat perfect for the holiday.

Patriot Pie of the Pie Ladies

Besides tarts and pies, trifles are another easy way to integrate colorful fruit into your dessert menu. Kathy Casey, an international celebrity chef and mixologist, has a Red, White, & Blue Cherry-Berry Trifle (PRINT THE RECIPE), which is perfect for the occasion.

Kathy Casey's Red, White, & Blue Cherry-Berry Trifle

Adding the color coordinating fruit to your favorite ice cream (especially vanilla or strawberry) provides another simple, refreshing way to enjoy a holiday appropriate treat. Speaking of refreshing…

COLOR COORDINATING THE CLASSICS

Instead of trying new desserts, you can also alter some of your favorites! Red, white, and blue frosting, sprinkles, and candy can turn any brownie, cookie, cake, or cupcake into a holiday appropriate treat. Try decorating these classics with little American flags or some stars and stripes to really add to the theme.

Related: Tips for a Killer Clambake

Jan Moon, author of Big Book of Cupcakes, provides a Red, White, and Blue cupcake recipe (PRINT THE RECIPE) that appeals to both the eyes and the stomach this holiday season.

Red, White, and Blue Cupcake of Jan Moon

DRINK YOUR DESSERT!

Nick Nistico, a mixologist at Buddha Sky Bar in Delray Beach, Florida, created a unique combination for those 21+ to follow the holiday theme. His red, white, and blue sake drinks (PRINT THE RECIPE) will make a perfect addition to any party.

Red, White, and Blue Sake by Nick Nistico

For those who want more kid friendly options, milkshakes and smoothies are excellent for drinkable desserts. You can use cottage cheese, yogurt, or ice cream as a base and choose which fruits to add (red and blue ones, of course!). Then add milk and ice to get the correct consistency and temperature. Actual amounts will vary depending on your preferences.

This summer whether you choose to try something new or add some colorful touches to some of your favorite recipes, these red, white, and blue desserts will definitely make a bang at your Fourth of July gathering.

What's your favorite festive treat for the 4th?

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