Easy Fourth of July Treats for Kids to Make

Independence Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time for beer, BBQ, brats, burgers, fireworks, sparklers, and—oh, did anyone remember dessert?

Whether you’re the host or lending a helping hand, these simple 4th of July desserts are festive, enjoyable, and ideal for getting kids involved.

As a former professional pastry chef, I understand how delightful it is to elevate holiday gatherings with a show-stopping dessert, whether for a party or simply for yourself! And as a self-taught pastry chef, I recognize that not everyone possesses the necessary tools or skills to bake, let alone create visually stunning treats. Moreover, even if you have the skills, your children likely don’t, and involving them makes any holiday celebration more enjoyable.

With this in mind, I’ve created two straightforward 4th of July dessert recipes that are simple enough for kids of nearly any age to help with. Bon appétit, and happy Independence Day!

Stars and Stripes Cream Pie: A Kid-Friendly 4th of July Dessert

Serves: 12

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• Graham cracker pie crust
• Jello vanilla pudding mix, 5.1 oz
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 4 TBS milk
• 1 pint strawberries, halved
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream OR 1 canister of whipped cream (see notes)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)

Steps:

1. To make the pastry cream filling, combine the 2 cups of heavy whipping cream and the box of vanilla pudding mix in a bowl. Use a mixer to blend until the mixture becomes very thick. If you prefer a different consistency, you can gradually add the 4 tablespoons of milk until the cream is thinned to your liking—just ensure it doesn’t become too runny, as that will affect how well the pie cuts.
2. Spread the pastry cream filling into the graham cracker crust.
3. For the whipped cream, combine the 1 cup of heavy whipping cream (and 2 tablespoons of sugar, if you want sweeter whipped cream) in a clean bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip at the highest speed possible without splattering, gradually increasing speed as the cream thickens. Whip until it reaches a thick consistency that holds its shape on an upside-down spoon.
4. Place the blueberries on top of the pastry cream in one section of the pie. Next, layer five lines of strawberries, overlapping them and leaving space between each line.
5. Fill the gaps with whipped cream. Add five dollops of whipped cream over the blueberries to resemble stars on the American flag.

Notes:

• This can be altered to be vegan/dairy-free by using the coconut fat solids from a can of coconut cream in place of the filling. Chill a can of full-fat coconut cream overnight to separate the fat from the coconut water. (And yes, Jell-O pudding mix is vegan!)
• If making whipped cream from scratch feels daunting, you can opt for a canister of whipped cream instead. Just be sure to apply it to the pie right before serving, as canned whipped cream tends to melt within a few hours, even when refrigerated.

Fireworks Surprise Cupcakes: An Easy 4th of July Baking Project for Kids

Serves: 24

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• A box of cake mix in your preferred flavor (plus the necessary ingredients as per the box—usually eggs, oil, and water)
• A can of frosting
• Blue sprinkles
• 4 Twizzlers Pull ‘N Peels
• A box of Nerds
• 6 packets of Pop Rocks

Steps:

1. Prepare the cupcakes following the box instructions, but fill just 12 cupcake liners (most mixes yield 18-24, so feel free to fill the 12 molds completely). I recommend using two liners for each cupcake.
2. Once the cupcakes have fully cooled (you can transfer to a plate and chill in the fridge or freezer if necessary), use a knife or spoon to hollow out the centers.
3. In a bowl, mix the Pop Rocks and Nerds together. Fill the hollows in the cupcakes with this candy blend.
4. Frost the tops of the cupcakes carefully to avoid mixing in too much candy.
5. Place the blue sprinkles in a bowl. Turn each cupcake on its side and dip the frosted edges into the sprinkles, rolling to coat.
6. Cut the Twizzlers into thirds to create 12 pieces. Carefully peel the sections back about half an inch from the bottom, allowing the tops to splay out while keeping the bottoms together.

Notes:

• This recipe can be made vegan by substituting ¼ cup of applesauce for each egg the recipe requires. Most canned frostings are vegan!
• To enjoy these at their best, serve them as soon as possible after preparation. The Pop Rocks begin to fizz upon opening, so to experience the full firework effect, it’s best for people to eat them while they’re still intact.

Image Source: Unsplash