My Favorite Fourth of July Desserts and Treats

The 4th of July wouldn't be the same without red, white and blue treats, but what kind of Independence Day would it be if we were chained to the kitchen in order to make it fun for everyone else? This year, try one, or even all three, of my favorite, festive Fourt of July Desserts. You'll be out of the kitchen in no time, and your family will love them!

Fourth of July Gelatin Parfait

This one takes a little bit of preparation, but is easy enough to have the kids help. I have to admit, this one is not an original idea. I got the inspiration from the guys at Jell-o. Be sure to use a non-dairy whipped topping, as real whipped cream degenerates if it's allowed to sit.

What you need:

Two boxes red colored gelatin dessert
Two boxes blue colored gelatin dessert
Non-dairy whipped topping
Plastic parfait cups

Prepare the red and blue gelatin desserts separately using the normal amount of boiling water but only half the normal amount of cold water. You want the gelatin to be a little bit stiff, but not as stiff as the finger kind.

Once gelatin is firmly set, cut into small squares. Place a small amount of red gelatin into the bottom of each parfait cup, then add a dollop or two of whipped topping. Next, add a little blue gelatin, then more whipped topping. Continue to alternate until all parfait cups are full. Should make about 8 desserts.

Frozen 4th of July Flag Cake

This easy to prepare cake can be baked a day or so ahead and frozen, but be sure to decorate it within several hours, as storage will affect the quality of the topping.

What you need:

White cake, baked from your favorite mix
Non-dairy whipped topping
Blue paste food coloring
Sliced strawberries
Pastry bag with large star tip

Prepare the cake according to the directions on the package, baking in an oblong cake pan. Turn out of the pan, and cool thoroughly on wire racks.

While the cake is cooling, prepare a cake board by covering it with aluminum foil and placing an oblong paper lace doily in the center. If necessary, level the top of the cake with a bread knife before placing the cooled cake, upside down, onto the board. Freeze.

Once cake is frozen, remove it from the freezer and mix a little dark blue paste food coloring with about ¼ cup of the non-dairy whipped topping. Frost the entire cake, including tops and sides, with half the remaining white topping, then frost a square in the upper left corner with the blue topping. Since the cake is frozen, the topping should continue to be easy to work with. Then, using a large star tip and the remaining white topping, pipe 13 stars in a circle inside the blue square, then pipe a border along the bottom edge of the cake.

All that is left is to create the red stripes of your Frozen 4th of July Flag using sliced fresh strawberries. Return to freezer until ready to serve.

Red, White and Blue Snowcones

It doesn't get much easier than this one. If you don't own an ice shaver or snow-cone maker, just use some heavy-duty zippered food storage bags and a hammer to crush the ice.

What you need:

Ice (lots of it)
Cherry flavored soft drink, prepared slightly strong from powdered mix
Blue raspberry soft drink, prepared slightly strong from powdered mix
Plastic cups
Ice cream scoop or large spoon

Fill the cups with crushed ice, packing firmly and rounding the top like an ice-cream cone.
Squirt a stripe of cherry drink on one side and blue raspberry drink on the other side. Leave an unflavored stripe down the middle.