Every party needs a sweet ending, and these red, white, and, blue desserts are perfect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July festivities. While there's nothing more American than apple pie, we encourage you to lead with more color: Consider making our Fourth of July Summer Berry Pies, which fit the summer party menu much better (and put those flag shades on full display). Using a star-shaped mini cookie cutter will provide a peek of the juicy fruits inside, while giving a nod to Independence Day.
Of course, pie isn't your only option. Looking to whip up a more inventive dessert that will impress at your barbecue? Try preparing a meringue in place of a traditional pastry and make a pavlova. Our flag-inspired berry cheesecake is another contender—but if you need something more refreshing on a hot spring or summer day, you can't beat our make-ahead Red, White, and Blueberry Pops or Firecracker Ice Pops. The easiest (at least in terms of serving), most crowd-pleasing option, however, is pictured here: Our Pull-Apart Vanilla-Wafer Cupcakes with Berries are festive, delicious, and make serving dessert a breeze.
If the pomp of parades and picnics isn't enough, the variety of tarts, cookies, cupcakes, pies, and pops in our collection will give you a reason to celebrate this Memorial Day or Fourth of July.
Fireworks Cookies
The patriotic icing on these buttery sugar cookies will garner oohs and ahhs from your entire family.
Red, White, and Blue Berry Trifle
Light up your cookout with this make-ahead showstopper! Raspberry-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone whipped cream, and fresh blueberries form the red, white, and blue layers.
Star Tart
With the right arrangement of berries, a classic fruit tart becomes perfectly patriotic. All you need for the base is a simple crust and no-fuss pastry cream.
Star-Spangled Ice Cream Sandwiches
A delicious hybrid of three classic desserts—cake, ice cream, and ice-cream sandwiches—these patriotic treats will go fast. They're made with two layers of an easy sheet cake plus store-bought vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet.
Wavy Flag Cake
This striped wonder layers moist buttermilk cake with fresh strawberries and blueberries (amped up with their respective jams) and rich buttercream frosting. Crown it with our Fourth of July Flag Toppers, and it'll be as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside.
No-Cook Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake
Make-ahead and oven-free? Sign us up! The buttery graham cracker crust with a heavenly cream cheese and Greek yogurt filling only need a night to firm up in the fridge. Scatter with lightly sugared berries before serving.
Filled Fourth of July Strawberries
Here's a berry fun dessert that the whole family can help with! Your patriotic spirit will be as bright as these bite-sized beauties.
Red, White, and Blueberry Pops
You can't go wrong with popsicles at a cookout, especially if they're as festive as these strawberry-yogurt-blueberry hybrids.
Fourth of July Summer Berry Pies
Pie makes every party better, and a Fourth of July barbecue is no exception. Make these individual star-and-stripe-studded beauties so your guests can each have their very own pie.
Summer Shortcake
Take shortcake to the next level with star cutouts, macerated berries, and vanilla whipped cream. It's the perfect Memorial Day dessert.
Red, White, and Blue Parfaits
Alternate red currant gelatin and creamy white panna cotta, then top with fresh blueberries for an elegant Independence Day dessert.
Double-Crust Berry Free-Form Pie
Twice the size of the average pie, this rustic dessert boasts sweet and tart berries, plus a buttery crust in every bite.
Firecracker Ice Pops
Strawberries, yogurt, and blueberries make simply dynamite popsicles that are equally popular with kids and adults.
Fruited-Cheesecake Flag
Make this berry-spangled cheesecake banner the night before the party, and it will cement your reputation as the ultimate Independence Day host.
Coconut Cake with Berries and Cream
Our version of tres leches soaks coconut-studded cake in condensed milk, heavy cream, and coconut milk. Serve with whipped cream and mixed berries to get the red, white, and blue effect.
Red, White, and Blue Stars
Your guests will be thanking their lucky stars once they taste these buttery cookies that sandwich sweet-tart raspberry and blueberry jam.
Flag Berry Tarts
Transform three crème fraîche tarts into a grand old flag by topping them with blueberries, red raspberries, and golden raspberries disguised under a snowy blanket of confectioners sugar.
Pretzel Sparklers
Put on a show with a display of these pretzels dipped in chocolate and red, white, and blue sprinkles. Sweet, salty, and festive!
Mixed Berry Trifle
Pastry cream, mixed berries, maple syrup-brushed brioche, and whipped cream team up for one decadent trifle. Be sure to show off the layers in a glass bowl.
Macerated Berry Topping
Combine mixed berries and sugar to create a vibrant, juicy sauce that's perfect over ice cream. It also makes a great topping for pancakes if you're hosting a Fourth of July brunch.
Cornmeal-Berry Sheet Cake
Want an easy, delicious way to feed a distanced-group? Cue the sheet cake! Cornmeal gives this one great texture, and a hefty dose of colorful summer berries makes it Fourth of July-appropriate. Serve with plenty of whipped cream.
Berry "Pizza"
There's no reason why your Independence Day barbecue can't coincide with pizza night. This healthy dessert tops crisp tortillas with creamy ricotta cheese, raspberry jam, and artfully arranged berries.
Vanilla-Raspberry Sundaes
Behold: functional spoons made out of cookies! They're an ingenious way to eat these creamy, fruity sundaes. Use store-bought vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet if you're pressed for time.
Pavlova with Raspberry Curd and Berries
Crisp on the outside and ethereally fluffy on the inside, this meringue-based dessert is a delectable way to end your Fourth of July meal. Serve with whipped cream, mixed berries, and a pool of homemade raspberry curd.
Red, White, and Blueberry Cheesecake Tart
The deliciousness is in the details of this cheesecake: almonds in the traditional graham-cracker crust, tangy sour cream swirled into the cream cheese filling, and a red plum compote and fresh blueberry topping. As an added bonus, this dessert can be made up to a day in advance.
Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle
Store-bought pound cake will be unrecognizable after you brush it with lemon syrup and layer it with whipped cream cheese and seasonal berries.
Berries and Cream Tartlets
Everyone will love these adorable individual fruit tarts for Memorial Day. Brush the fresh berries with warm apricot jam to give them that glossy, bakery-worthy look.
Mixed Berry Salad with Mint
Amp up seasonal berries with a touch of Grand Marnier and sugar, add fresh mint, and enjoy!
Bourbon-and-Brown-Sugar Cake with Berries
Adults will love the smoky sweet flavor of bourbon in this cake (though the alcohol cooks off while cooking so it's totally kid-friendly). A scatter of fresh raspberries and blueberries are sweet way to show off your American pride.