My favorite holiday (next in line to Christmas, of course) is the 4th of July! I love Independence Day for a multitude of reasons, but most of all I love celebrating our great country and the freedom and liberty we enjoy. I love the patriotism of the day, hearing the Star Spangled Banner, saluting the flag, thanking our military and first responders, watching the parades, seeing my kid’s excitement over the fireworks, and eating great food. I love a good cookout, but I have to tell the truth: these teeth of mine are sweet and I can never resist dessert! Here are 6 delicious recipes that are easy to make, have minimal ingredients, and are sure to have you coming back for seconds:Â
1) Patriotic Parfaits
These are a real treat because they not only taste great but they totally look the part in red, white, and blue! The Greek yogurt is infused with lime, giving a refreshing taste without adding all the sweetness of regular yogurt. I added pretzels for a crunch, but you could easily add granola, nuts, or graham crackers.
2) Kiwi Lime Pie
This is great for the 4th because it is easy to make and refreshing to eat! Use a store-bought crust or follow the instructions to make your own macadamia nut crust. In all the times I have made this pie (and that’s a lot because it is my favorite) there has never been any leftover.
3) Crockpot Peach Cobbler
There are only 5 simple ingredients and 3 easy steps to this scrumptious Southern classic. The Crockpot does all the hard work so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your guests. When ready, scoop vanilla ice cream on top of the warm cobbler and watch your guests melt in delight!
4) No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
Nobody wants to turn the oven on when it’s already 90 degrees outside! And since strawberries are ripe and inexpensive this time of year, it is all the more reason to make this easy, no-bake cheesecake. The rich, red color of the strawberries will compliment your 4th of July decorations and make you feel extra patriotic.
5) Almond Joy Cookies
Sometimes it’s fun to have a dessert that your kids can grab while they’re in and out of the pool or that you can munch on while setting off fireworks. These almond joy cookies only take 13 minutes per batch and there are only 5 simple ingredients. Warning: don’t put these out until you’re ready for them to disappear because they are quite addicting!
6) Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle
No matter what time of the year it is, chocolate is a must! This trifle looks extravagant but it is simply chocolate cake and chocolate pudding. Add some Reese’s peanut butter cups and I promise you’ll have a real crowd pleaser.
Whichever dessert you decide to make this holiday, I hope you all have a blessed 4th of July celebrating our freedom and liberty! We are so privileged to live in a country where we are free to pursue our dreams. A special thank you to those that have served our country (especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice) to preserve and protect our great land. God Bless America!