Red, White and Blue Sweets for the 4th

Celebrate the Fourth of July with berry-filled red, white and blue desserts and other sweets boasting Independence Day's colors.

Red, White and Blue Velvet Cake

It's hard to decide which is more striking — the multicolored layers inside the cake or the festive frosting on the outside. Either way, your guests are sure to be impressed.

 

Get the step-by-step instructions for how to make this cake here.

Get the Recipe: Red, White and Blue Velvet Cake

July 4th Red, White and Blue Cheesecake

The stripes of this patriotic cheesecake are tinted naturally with seasonal flavors: red raspberry, white vanilla bean and blue blueberry. Make sure to allow each layer to set properly for a clean layered finish.

Get the Recipe: July 4th Red, White and Blue Cheesecake

Fourth of July Berry Cake

Place blueberries and raspberries in between layers of vanilla buttermilk cake and brown-butter frosting for an easy decorating job.

Get the Recipe: Fourth of July Berry Cake

4th of July Berry Tart

This tart recipe, perfect for the Fourth of July but delicious all season long, lets fresh berries shine, perched atop velvety white chocolate pastry cream and a rich almond and egg yolk crust.

Get the Recipe: 4th of July Berry Tart

Summer Berry Red, White and Blue Jello

This light and wiggly dessert is sure to put everyone in a celebratory mood with its patriotic colors (and the half cup of rum inside of it doesn't hurt, either).

Get the Recipe: Summer Berry Red, White and Blue Jello

Mascarpone-Stuffed Strawberries

Update your standard July Fourth dessert this year with a super-fast, no-cook red-white-and-blue treat that you can make in about seven minutes.

Get the Recipe: Mascarpone-Stuffed Strawberries

Star Sugar Cookies 

These cookies aren't just a "pretty face" — they're as delicious as they are festive. Zoe Francois adds lemon juice and zest to her dough and icing, giving them extra zing.

Get the Recipe: Star Sugar Cookies

Berry Trifle

Tyler's take on the classic trifle layers blueberries, strawberries and raspberries with store-bought pound cake and a quick lemon cream — ready for guests in little more than 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Berry Trifle

Chuck's Berry Crumble

Lightly sweetened berries pair perfectly with Chuck's unique crumble topping, which is made with crunchy cornflakes, granola and brown sugar. This dessert's red and blue colors may be understated, but its flavor is certainly not.

Get the Recipe: Chuck's Berry Crumble

Hot Dog Ice Cream Sandwich

Hot dogs get a cool transformation with this clever dessert crafted out of homemade soft serve, sweet bread and raspberry "ketchup." These sweet sandwiches make the perfect playful and fork-free July Fourth treat.

Get the Recipe: Hot Dog Ice Cream Sandwich

Fruit Salad: Macedonia

When you have berries this prime, they need little adornment. Simply add some sugar to release the fruits' natural flavor and citrus juices for a bit of brightness, and enjoy Independence Day independent from your oven.

Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad: Macedonia

Mascarpone and Wild Berry Tart

In this foolproof tart recipe, Debi and Gabriele match wild berries with milky mascarpone and grappa, a high-alcohol eau de vie made from remnants of the wine-making process. Ribbon-like shavings of dark chocolate, which you can make using a vegetable peeler, are a dramatic finish.

Get the Recipe: Mascarpone and Wild Berry Tart