Desserts and Treats for a Rainy July 4th

It's raining. Your family is totally bummed out. The parade was canceled and the community picnic is rescheduled. It's still the Fourth of July! It's time for you to be a magician and whip up spirits so you all can celebrate the birthday of our country. It's still a party so put smiles on the faces with yummy treats and desserts to round out your 4th of July meal. This has happened to my family and I try to be prepared for back up things to prepare to make the day as happy as possible.

Vegetable and Dip tray A great treat for my kids has always been a tray of assorted vegetables and a dip to crunch and munch on. A rainy day could keep everyone inside and leaves disappointed kids antsy. I get a 16 ounce container of sour cream and mix in one envelope of Lipton dry soup powder or Knorr's vegetable dip powder to make my dip. I cut vegetables up in bite sized pieces when children are sharing in the meal. This reduces waste and possible choking hazards. Finger rolls with chicken, tuna and egg salad fillings are a 4th of July treat for my family too.

Star Gelatin Jigglers Follow the directions on the gelatin package and make red and blue jigglers. When solidified cut out in star shapes. Place in cut glass serving bowl and sprinkle in some miniature marshmallows. This is a treat for your young July 4th celebrants.

Red, White and Blue Sundaes Ingredients: Vanilla ice cream homemade for a fun activity or store bought. Sliced strawberries and blueberries. Whipped topping if desired. Put one scoop of vanilla ice cream in a clear wineglass, top with a tablespoon of strawberries and a few blueberries. Top with another scoop of ice cream and top with more berries. Top with a tablespoon of whipped topping and a berry if desired.

Happy July 4th Cake Will be a great dessert and treat for July 4th. It is the country's birthday so have a birthday cake! Bake either three round layers or two 9x13 rectangular cakes for a large crowd using two or three cake mixes. After the meal is eaten and it is time for dessert frost cake with whipped topping. Cover rectangular cake with strawberries and blueberries to simulate the U.S. flag if desired. The round cake can be topped with berries as desired. If you want regular frosting then using your favorite flavor and decorate the cake with candy flags. Having candles to blow out might bring smiles to faces of little ones who can not enjoy their sparklers and fireworks on a rainy night. Cupcakes with icing and topped with red, white and blue sprinkles is another good option.

Rainy Day S'mores It's raining but you can still have your campfire 4th of July treats and desserts! Ingredients: Half a batch of your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe or 1 envelope (or two) of Betty Crocker cookie mix. Graham cracker crumbs, margarine, sugar and regular size marshmallows. Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In bowl melt 1/2 stick margarine in microwave. Add 1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix well and pat into a buttered 9x13 pan covering the entire bottom. Prepare chocolate cookie mix according to directions. Drop by teaspoon randomly over the graham mixture. Place in oven on center rack and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookie batter will be nearly cooked with soft centers, no browning at this point. Cut a dozen marshmallows in half, set aside. Pull pan from oven cookies will be soft in middle and spreading into one another. Sprinkle marshmallow pieces over cookie batter. (If desired you can also sprinkle a large handful of chopped walnuts or pecans. My kids hate nuts so we go without.) Return to oven and bake for 9 more minutes. Marshmallows will be golden brown and puffed up. Remove from oven and place on stove top. Let sit five minutes then sprinkle with a handful of chocolate chips. Cut with spatula and serve immediately.

Cool Raspberry Pie This simple refrigerated pie is light, fluffy and so good. My mother and sister have made this pie for years. I think they got the original recipe from a magazine and tweaked it. Ingredients: one pint fresh raspberries, one container raspberry yogurt, store brand is fine, one container frozen whipped topping thawed and one pre-made graham cracker pie shell. Scrape entire contents of whipped topping into small bowl. Thoroughly hand mix raspberry yogurt into topping until throughly incorporated. Gently fold in half of the raspberries. Spoon into graham cracker pie shell. Garnish with as many of the remaining raspberries as desired. Chill for at least an hour before serving with your treats and desserts at your 4th of July meal.

Don't let a rainy day get you down. Great desserts and treats for July 4th will help save the day.