Red, White, and Bites: 4th of July Treats

We’re sharing our all-time favorite treats to make your 4th of July extra sweet! 🎇 Star-shaped brownies, a festive charcuterie board filled with red, white, and blue goodies, and cupcakes that are almost too adorable to eat (almost 😉). Check out the blog for all the recipes and ideas to light up your holiday table! 🍓🧁✨

P.S. To make things super easy for you, we’ve included links to some of the ingredients and tools you’ll need for these recipes.

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Patriotic Swirl Cupcakes

These patriotic cupcakes are a firework of flavor! Swirled with red, white, and blue frosting, topped with cherries and tiny flags, they’re the ultimate Fourth of July treat!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) of unsalted butter. at room temperature

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• Red gel food coloring (optional, for themed batter variation)

• Blue gel food coloring (optional, for themed batter variation)

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)

• 4 fresh cherries (or as many as the number of cupcakes you plan to make)

• Star-shaped sprinkles (approximately 2 teaspoons)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy (2–3 mins).

4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with dry.

6. Divide batter into three bowls: red, blue, and plain. Add red and blue food coloring to two portions leaving the third portion plain.

7. Alternate red, white, and blue batter in liners; swirl with a toothpick.

8. Each cupcake liner should be filled about 2/3 full.

9. Bake 18–20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

   FROSTING

10. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until creamy, about 2–3 minutes.

11. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, beat until smooth. Adjust cream for piping consistency.

12. Divide frosting into three bowls: red, blue, and white. Mix until colors are vibrant.

13. Layer red, white, and blue frosting in a piping bag for a swirl effect.

14. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes in a swirl from the outside edge toward the center to create a colorful, festive top.

15. Place a fresh cherry on top of each cupcake.

16. Sprinkle a few star-shaped sprinkles evenly onto the frosting.

17. Add an American flag toothpick to the cupcake.

Tip: Chill your piping bag with the frosting for 10-15 minutes before decorating. This helps the frosting hold its shape better, especially when creating those perfect red, white, and blue swirls!

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Stars and Stripes Brownies

These festive brownies are a star-spangled delight! With bold red, white, and blue icing, they’re a dessert that screams Fourth of July fun. A sweet way to show off your patriotic pride!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 4 large eggs

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra gooeyness)

• 1 cup powdered sugar, divided into 3 portions

• 1–2 tablespoons milk (enough to create a drizzle consistency)

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)

• Red gel food coloring

• Blue gel food coloring

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang.

2. Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan on low, remove, and whisk in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder until smooth.

3. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

4. Add eggs one at a time, whisking until incorporated.

5. Fold in flour gently, avoid overmixing. Add chocolate chips if desired for extra richness.

6. Pour batter into pan and spread evenly with a spatula.

7. Bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick has moist crumbs. Cool completely in pan.

8. Grab a star-cookie cutter and start cutting your brownies into shape.

   ICING

9. Divide the powdered sugar evenly into three bowls (approximately 1/3 cup per bowl).

10. Add 1–2 tsp milk per bowl; whisk to drizzle consistency.

11. Keep one bowl white, and color the other two bowls with red and blue gel food coloring respectively. Mix well.

12. Transfer each icing color into separate piping bags or zip-top bags with a snipped corner.

13. Drizzle red, white, and blue icing in striped lines, alternating the colors to create a festive striped effect.

Tip: Freeze the brownies slightly before cutting them into star shapes. This makes them firmer and prevents crumbling, ensuring clean, sharp edges for those perfect stars!

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Freedom Feast Platter

This patriotic charcuterie board is a festive feast! Overflowing with fresh fruits, savory meats, and star-shaped treats. It’s a red, white, and blue celebration on a platter!

Ingredients

• 20-25 pieces Strawberries 

• 45-50 pieces Blueberries 

• 15-20 pieces Blackberries

• 10-15 pieces Raspberries 

• 6-8 Watermelon slices

• 10-15 pieces Red Grapes

• 10-12 Mango chunks 

• 40-50 pieces Pistachios

• 25-30 mixed Nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts)

• 3 pieces round Herb Cheese (or any cheese you prefer)

• 6-8 pieces sliced Cheese (like cheddar or gouda)

• 10-12 cured meats (ham, salami or prosciutto)

• 15-20 diced Carrots

• 4-6 star-shaped Cheese

Instructions

1. Wash all the fruits, meats, and ingredients thoroughly.

2. Dice mango and carrots; cut watermelon into triangles.

3. Slice cheese, and cut a few star shape for decor.

   Arrange the Board

4. Place round cheese at the center.

5. Fan watermelon slices around the cheese.

6. Add clusters of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) around the platter in different spots for pops of color.

7. Fill the gaps with diced mango, grape bunches, pistachios and small piles of nuts.

8. Fold meats into quarters or ribbons and arrange in semi-circles near the cheese.

9. Fan out cheese slices on another section for variety.

10. Add diced carrots near the fruits, nuts, or cheese for a bright orange touch.

11. Place the star-shaped cheese in key spots to highlight the theme.

Tip: Add as many fruits and nuts as you like! Alternate red, white, and blue elements to keep it festive, and space out similar colors and textures for balance.

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