Best 4th of July desserts
Fourth of July is here. To celebrate it, whip up one of these festive and yummy desserts:
1. Brownie flag
This brownie flag is topped with whipped cream, fresh blueberries, and strawberries.
Ingredients:
- 12 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 2 cans of whipped cream
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a 9 inch by 13-inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, and then whisk in the sugar and cocoa powder
- Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract
- Stir in the flour, salt, and baking powder
- Fold in chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan
- Bake for 25 minutes, and let cool completely
- Lift the brownie out of the pan and onto a serving tray
- Spread with whipped cream
- Arrange blueberries in rows in the top left corner
- Place strawberry slices in five rows
- Pipe the whipped cream between rows of strawberries
- Refrigerate until ready to serve
2. Summer berry icebox cake
This no-bake cake is made with chocolate chips, strawberries, and blueberries.
Ingredients:
- 19 ounces graham crackers
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 3 packages vanilla instant pudding
- 2 1/2 cups cold milk
- 12 ounces homemade whipped cream
- 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 ounces white chocolate chips
Directions:
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and dry pudding mixes together until blended and then gradually beat in milk
- Stir in homemade whipped cream, reserving 1/2 cup
- Spread a thin layer of whipped cream in a 9x13 pan just to coat the bottom
- Layer five graham crackers across the center of the pan, then two more, breaking them as needed to fit
- Spread a layer of pudding mixture over the graham crackers and top with a layer of blueberries and strawberries
- Repeat the layers one more time until you reach the top of the pan
- Refrigerate overnight
- When ready to serve, melt white chocolate chips in a bowl and drizzle over the dessert
3. Rustic strawberry galette
This rustic dessert is light and refreshing.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 package cream cheese
- 1 stick cold unsalted butter
- 2 pounds of strawberries
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Directions:
- In a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, and one tablespoon granulated sugar to combine
- Add the cream cheese and butter, pulsing until large crumbs form
- Add 4 tablespoons water and pulse just until dough begins to come together
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured workspace and gently knead until dough comes together
- Roll into a ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap
- Refrigerate for one hour
- Unwrap the ball of dough and roll between two sheets of parchment to create a 12-inch diameter that is 1/8 inch thick
- Transfer dough to a baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a large bowl, toss together the strawberries, cornstarch, vanilla-bean seeds, lemon zest, and remaining granulated sugar
- Arrange the strawberries on top of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border
- Fold border up and over strawberries to create a one-inch rim
- Brush crust with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar
- Bake galette until crust is golden, approximately 45 minutes
4. Almond cake with fresh berries and cream
This almond cake is topped with cream cheese frosting and berries.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces almond paste
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 pound strawberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, and grease and flour a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom
- Crumble almond paste into a food processor bowl
- Add granulated sugar and pulse until the almond paste is finely ground
- Add butter and process until smooth
- Add eggs and process until combined
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and process until blended
- Spoon the batter into a prepared pan and spread evenly
- Bake 20 minutes until cake is browned
- Cool cake on a wire rack
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth
- Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until blended
- Add the whipping cream and almond extract, and beat until thick and fluffy
- Cover and refrigerate the mixture
- In another bowl, combine the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and confectioners' sugar
- Toss to combine and let stand for ten minutes
- Place cake on a serving plate
- Spread the raspberry jam on top of the cake
- Spoon the cream topping over the jam, spreading to over
- Spoon the berry mixture over the cream
- Serve immediately
References
- "25 Delicious 4th of July Desserts That'll Outshine the Fireworks Show," Woman's Day, June 4, 2018.
- "25 Red, White, and Blue Desserts to Celebrate 4th of July," Good Housekeeping, July 4, 2018.