There’s a song that says “holidays are joyful, there’s always something new.” This holds true with the foods we make that bring something new and unique to the holiday table! Make this Fourth of July an occasion and opportunity to serve adorable recipes that will have family and guests going for their cameras!

Here are some suggestions to get your creative mind popping and your holiday table exploding with foods that are as fabulous to look at as they are to eat! 

Dawn’s Early Light and Bright Pancakes 

The smell of pancakes is enough to make anyone rise and shine, but these red white and blue beauties will make their entire day special!

Ingredients

• One cup pancake mix 
• 2/3 cup water
• Natural red food coloring
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 
• 1/3 cup strawberry jam 
• 1/3 cup of strawberry or maple syrup
• Whipped cream, optional

Instructions

• Add pancake mix with water and stir until combined.
• Add food coloring until you reach desired color.
• Heat frying pan or griddle until a drop of water sizzles on the surface. 
• Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto pan. When bubbles appear, flip the pancake.
• Cook one or two minutes, then remove from pan. 
• Repeat with remaining batter
• Heat strawberry jam over low heat in a small pan stirring until smooth.
• Add syrup and blueberries and heat thoroughly.
• Top pancakes with syrup and berry mixture.
• Top with whipped cream if desired.

Charcuterie Appetizer

Grilling outdoors is an event in itself as you hang out and enjoy the tempting smoky scent. In the meantime, munch on a perfect appetizer that presents a patriotic spin!

Ingredients

• Salami slices, rolled
• Pepperoni slices
• Red apples, sliced
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Grape tomatoes
• Red grapes
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Watermelon slices
• White chocolate squares
• Light/white colored crackers
• Yogurt covered pretzels
• White cheddar cheese cubes
• Mozzarella cheese pearls
• M&Ms, red white and blue
• Mini marshmallows

Instructions

• Arrange red white or blue serving bowls on your board.
• Arrange foods around the bowls, then fill in remaining spaces.
• This is one recipe you can arrange to your liking, using your preferences and creativity to create a beautiful and colorful array of appetizers.

Red White and Blue Burgers 

Hamburgers cooked on the grill are a main attraction for any occasion! Dress this year’s Fourth of July version with the perfect fashion statement for this special celebration!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground chuck
• Two red peppers, roasted and peeled
• 4 ounces of blue cheese crumbles
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Eight hamburger buns

Instructions

• Make eight burgers from ground beef. (Inexpensive, plastic hamburger presses make a beautiful burger!)
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Grill burgers over high heat for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
• Add a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese to each burger.
• Allow cheese to melt.
• Add red pepper slices and blue cheese crumbles, cooking for one more minute or so.
• Serve on hamburger buns with the top bun tilted back to show the colorful burger.

Cheesecake Salad Bursting in Air-y Flavor

When fireworks are bursting in air, your table can be exploding with a “salad” so good it will disappear in a flash!

Ingredients

• Two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened.
• One cup of heavy cream
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 cups fresh blueberries

Instructions

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
• Add heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
• Beat on high until the mixture is thick and smooth.
• Fold in the strawberries and blueberries with a spatula.
• Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Crackling Firecracker Brownie Cookies

When foods are cute, kids will likely love them. But these brownie cookies representing the holiday will be absolutely irresistible to kids and adults!

Ingredients

• One box unprepared brownie mix
• Two large eggs
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
• One cup red white and blue M&Ms
• Two or three packages of red Pop Rocks candy

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine dry brownie mix, eggs, oil and flour. Beat until smooth.
• Fold in chocolate chips and 3/4 cup of the M&Ms.
• Scoop dough into rounded tablespoons onto the lined cookie sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
• Bake 9–10 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven and tap on counter to release air in the cookies and give a crackle top.
• Immediately top with additional M&Ms.
• Remove from pan with flat spatula to cool completely.
• Before serving, sprinkle Pop Rocks on top of cookies for a taste of fireworks in your mouth!

Star Spangled Popsicles 

Wind down with a treat that pops! As if the colors aren’t special enough, the front and center of these popsicles will be the star of your showy celebration!

Ingredients

• Watermelon
• Lemonade, prepared
• Blueberries
• Star shaped cookie cutter
• Popsicle mold
• Popsicle sticks

Instructions

• Cut watermelon into 1/2 inch slices.
• Cut watermelon stars with the cookie cutter.
• Place a popsicle stick into the star.
• Place the star halfway into the mold.
• Slowly pour lemonade into the mold, making sure it covers the bottom.
• Top with blueberries.
• Freeze and serve.

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