Is it already July 4th weekend?! Who has time to figure out their summer, reopen their schedules, and plan what to serve at a July 4th barbecue? But the fun factor of decorating to the theme of red, white, and blue recipes is worth the effort.
To help you celebrate America’s birthday, we put together some great and easy red, white, and blue-inspired July 4th desserts for you and your family to enjoy! Even if you’re not doing a BBQ, add them to your Shabbat menu!
1. Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispy Pops by Amy Schwartz
2. Healthy Blueberry Pie by Estee Kafra
3. Big-Batch Mini Blueberry Muffins by Faigy Murray
Every sweet item baked in my house in the summer will have a fruit in it. I never get bored of making fruit-filled goodies! These mini muffins are no exception. Just pop one or 10!
4. Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake (Gluten Free) by Michal Frischman
The first thing I make when I turn over, after the basics (chicken soup and a massive batch of caramelized onions), is Toll House bars — a Yeshiva Me’on HaTorah recipe that my mother has been making since they published it. This is a spin on that favorite with a fruity twist.
5. Blueberry Crumble Bars by Elizabeth Kurtz
These are lovely as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or a healthier dessert option. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries.
6. 2-Ingredient Blueberry Froyo Bites by Batsheva Gewirtz
7. Frozen Blueberry Crumble by Shifra Klein
Inspired by the classic dessert at the famous Mike’s Bistro restaurant in midtown Manhattan, this is a refreshing, unique dessert that incorporates the natural pairing of fruit crumble and ice cream into one memorable treat.
8. Blueberry Lemonade by Menachem Goodman
9. Cinnamon Bun Bites by Victoria Dwek
Make these fun cinnamon bun bites in a pinch by simply using a rolled-out pie crust and sprinkling it with cinnamon and sugar. Be sure to frost with this delicious homemade cream cheese frosting that will make these cute treats even more delicious. Watch out, these are addictive! See more Victoria on 4 Amazing Things!
To make it red, white, and blue: Divide the frosting in three. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one part and blue food coloring to a second. Leave the third plain.
10. Apple Pie Bars by Nechama Fiddle
To make it red, white, and blue: Divide the glaze in three. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one part and blue food coloring to a second. Leave the third plain.
12. Tutti Fruity Mix from the Nitra Cookbook
To make it red, white, and blue: Add blueberries. Serve in white dessert cups!
13. S’mores Brownies Bars by Sarah Botwinick
S’mores fudgy brownie bars are a super yummy and super easy dessert or after-dinner treat.
To make it red, white, and blue: Top with coconut and red and blue sprinkles or candies.
14. Cherry Turnovers by Tamar Teitelbaum
Sweet and tart cherry filling inside pillowy, flaky pastry topped with a rich vanilla glaze. Ummm, yes please! These cherry turnovers are everything that your Seuda needs.
15. Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Esther Deutsch
This is my son’s favorite pudding cookie, and it never fails to put a huge grin on his face. We bake these cookies together regularly, usually on Friday after school. My son is a picky eater and goes through stages when he’ll eat just pizza and cucumbers and nothing else for weeks and then abruptly tire of them, but he never needs to be asked twice to eat these cookies. (I was a notoriously picky eater myself as a child, and my mom teasingly refers to this as karmic retribution.) Because these cookies go fast, I use whole-wheat flour—if my children are going to eat that many cookies, they may as well be healthy. Well…healthier, at least.
The chocolate chunks give this cookie character and lend a touch of finesse to an otherwise modest chocolate chip cookie. But if you prefer to save the time needed for chopping the chocolate, go ahead and use chocolate chips instead.
16. Italian Ices from the Nitra Cookbook
To make it red, white, and blue: serve with blueberries.
17. Blondies by The Baker’s Daughter
Follow this recipe to bake dense blondies (“blond” brownies) packed with goodies like chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and nuts.
18. Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches by Chef David Blum
These are a crowd favorite! A cookie is good but a cookie sandwich is even better! I prepare these whenever I know a lot of women and/or girls will be around as they have a tendency to flock to the bright red color of these Devilishly tasty cookies. You can prepare the cookies and frosting, then let the kids help build the sandwiches.
To make it red, white, and blue: Roll the edges of the cookies in blue sprinkles or glitter.
19. Chocolate Chip Cookie “Pizza” by Rivky Kleiman
A creative way to enjoy an old-time classic. Just whip up a batch of cookie dough and let your imagination run wild.
20. Cool Lemon Ices by Chevy Slomovics and Raizy Janklowitz
21. Double Jam Cookies by Clara Fatal
I call these “gift cookies.” Pack them inside a decorative jar for a perfect hostess gift.
To make it red, white, and blue: Add in some blueberry or blackberry jam.
22. Chocolate Fudge Pops by Rorie Weisberg
Enjoy the pleasures of summer in a way that feels good while you’re eating it and after!
Watch Rorie create these fudgy pops here!
23. Watermelon Granita by Victoria Dwek
To make it red, white, and blue: Serve with blueberries
24. Colorful Apple Tart by Estee Kafra
I originally wrote this recipe for Rosh Hashanah, when both apples and honey are traditionally served. I always try to make this close to the time I need it, so that it will remain fresh and uneaten. Fresh cakes have a mysterious way of disappearing sometimes…
25. Rosé Popsicles (Two Ways) by Rivki Rabinowitz
Popsicles for the mama and papa and everyone who isn’t a kid!
26. Lemon Mousse and Berry Tart by Paula Shoyer
27. Chocolate Ganache Macarons by Faigy Grossmann
Most of us have grown up with classic macaroon cookies for Pesach, but did you know those beautiful French delicacies known as macarons are also perfect for this holiday? Macarons are a quintessentially French pastry — beautiful, delicate, and a bit finicky — but with a few tips and the right technique, they are completely achievable for the home baker. There are three methods to making macarons — Italian, French, and Swiss. The Italian method involves boiling water and sugar and then adding to your egg whites. While this seems to produce a more stable meringue, the French method is slightly simpler, and that’s the one I’ll be sharing here. Before making your first batch, read through the directions carefully. The steps to making macarons are very precise and there are some basic rules to follow that will help you achieve success.
28. Caramel Crunch Ice Box Cake by Esty Wolbe
Esty Wolbe is back with another amazing, easy dessert! Watch Esty put together this ice cream ice box cake in minutes. Layered with rich caramel, chocolate, and nutty Viennese crunch, this will look beautiful on your table.
29. Strawberries and Cream Pie by Esty Wolbe
A sweet and easy strawberries and cream pie! If you’re feeling adventurous, follow Esty’s favorite flavor combo and top the strawberry jam with balsamic glaze.
Watch Esty create this simple crowd-pleaser here!
To make it red, white, and blue: Swirl in some blueberry or blackberry jam.
Originally published June 2020. Updated and improved June 2023.
