7 Recipes for Your 4th of July Party

If you’re having a party to celebrate the 4th of July, you’re going to need festive food (and lots of it!). Lucky for you, Her Campus has you covered. We’ve compiled 7 quick and easy recipes that will not only satisfy your guests, but have them asking for more.

1. Chocolate Dipped Oreo American Flag

This easy, no-bake recipe looks just as good as it tastes. Be sure to take an Insta-worthy picture before the party, because the cookies will be gone in no time!

Recipe from The Pink Flour

Makes: 30 cookies, only 24 needed for the flag

Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 oz.) white chocolate candy melts
• 1 package (12 oz.) red chocolate candy melts
• 1 package (12 oz.) blue chocolate candy melts
• 1 package Oreos
• 1 star shaped candy mold

Directions:

1. Melt white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl or coffee mug for 30-second intervals stirring in between until fully melted. Dip 24 of the cookies half way in the chocolate and then place on wax paper lined baking sheet. Put in refrigerator to harden.
2. Spoon remaining white chocolate into candy mold. Tap mold on counter a few times so chocolate fills mold evenly. Place in refrigerator to harden.
3. Melt red chocolate in same manner as the white chocolate in step 1. Dip the other half of the Oreo in the red chocolate and place back on the wax paper to harden.
4. Melt blue chocolate in microwave safe bowl as described in step 1. Dip the remaining Oreos in the blue chocolate using a fork to make completely and then remove from chocolate. I suggest tapping the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate before placing on wax paper. Before the chocolate hardens, place chocolate stars made in step 2 on the blue Oreos.
5. Place all cookies in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to fully harden. Remove and then arrange into a flag, using 6 blue star cookies and 18 red & white cookies.

2. Fourth of July Fruit Wands

Another easy-to-make summer treat, these fruit wands are a healthier alternative to sugary holiday snacks. One watermelon makes 20 wands, and each serving is only 90 calories!

Recipe from Weelicious

Makes: 20 skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 watermelon
• 2 pints blueberries
• 20 skewers

Directions:

1. Slice the watermelon into 1/2 inch round slices, and then cut out star shapes using a three-inch star-shaped cookie cutter.
2. Gently slide the blueberries on wooden skewers* and finally place a watermelon star on the top.
3. Place the skewers in a tall glass or in decorated floral foam as an eatable centerpiece.

* If serving to young kids make sure they're careful with the wooden skewers.

3. Red, White & Blue Layered Drinks

Get festive with these pretty layered drinks. The recipe is non-alcoholic, but if your guests are over 21, alcohol can easily be added. The secret is in the sugar content, so put the drink with the heaviest sugar content on the bottom.

Recipe from In Katrina’s Kitchen

Makes: 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Red CranApple juice
• 1 Cup White Sobe Pina Colada flavored drink
• 1 Cup Blue G2 Gatorade
• Ice

Directions:

1. Fill your glass 1/3 of the way full with CranApple juice.
2. Fill to the top with ice.
3. Slowly pour the remaining drinks directly on top of a piece of ice. You MUST pour SLOWLY, DIRECTLY over ice!

4. Taco Salad Flag

If you’re searching for a more filling dish that’s still simple to prepare, look no further. This America themed taco salad will impress your guests and keep them snacking all day long.

Recipe from Family Fresh Meals

Makes: One dish that serves 6-8 people

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (or vegetarian crumble)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 4-6 cups tortilla chips
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup pitted large olives, sliced lengthwise
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2-3 cups cherry tomatoes

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, cook beef over a medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain off any extra grease. Next, stir in the water, salsa and taco seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
2. Place chips in a 13-in. x 9-in. dish.  Next spread beef evenly over the top of chips.
3. Cover beef with a layer of lettuce.
4. Arrange olive slices together in the upper left corner to form stars. For the stripes, alternate tomatoes and cheese.  Add a couple extra chips to the side of the dish for some extra crunch.
5. NOTE: If you are making this several hours in advance, skip placing the chips at the bottom of the taco salad and just serve them on the side.  

5. Firecracker Dogs

Kids and adults alike will love these hot dog skewers. The cheese stars on top are the perfect patriotic detail, plus they’re delicious!

Recipe from Handmade in the Heartland

Makes: 16 skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated breadstick dough
• 2 packages of 16 hot dogs
• 16 thick slices Colby cheese
• 16 skewers

Directions:

1. First take your skewers and stick them all the way through your hot dogs, leaving about an inch and a half exposed out of the top of each hot dog. Then take a piece of breadstick dough and carefully wrap it around the hot dog until you get to the top. Place the wrapped dogs on a silpat (non stick baking liner) or parchment paper and bake according to the package directions for the breadstick dough.
2. While the hot dogs are cooking, take out your cheese slices. The key to this step is to go to your grocer’s deli counter and ask for them to slice you pieces of cheese that are 1/4"-3/8" thick. Then using a small star cookie cutter, cut out your stars. The size of your cookie cutter will determine how many stars you get out of each slice of cheese.
3. After your dogs have cooled for 2-3 minutes, stick the star through the skewer at the top.

6. Fourth of July Chocolate Dipped Banana Pieces

These sweet treats are almost as cute as they are tasty. And, as with the other recipes, these are extremely easy (and fun!) to make.

Recipe from I Heart Naptime

Makes: 3 servings per banana

Ingredients:

• Bananas
• Blue Wilton candy melts
• 4^th of July sprinkles
• Whipped cream topping
• Stemilt cherries

Directions:

1. Peel and cut the tips off the banana.
2. Cut the banana into 3 slices.
3. Place the Wilton candy melts into a small bowl and microwave for one minute, or until melted.
4. Stir the candy coating and then dip the banana into the chocolate. Then add the sprinkles to the sides.
5. Place bananas on a piece of wax paper to set. When ready to serve, add whipped topping and a cherry on top.

7. Red, White & Blue Layered Flag Cake

This beautiful dessert will amaze your friends and family. On the outside, it looks like a regular cake, but cut into it and you’ll find an American flag! This is the most time consuming of all the recipes (prep time is 60 minutes), but it’s well worth it.

Recipe from Betty Crocker

Makes: 18 servings

Ingredients:

Red Cake Layers

• 1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix
• 1 pint (2 cups) strawberries, stems removed, pureed in blender or food processor to about 1 1/4 cups
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon red paste food color

Blue Cake Layer

• 1/2 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix (about 1 2/3 cups dry mix)
• 1/2 cup blueberries, pureed in blender or food processor
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 whole eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon blue paste food color
• 3 tablespoons Betty Crocker™ white star-shaped candy sprinkles or nonpareils

White Cake Layer

• 1/2 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix (about 1 2/3 cups dry mix)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 egg whites

Frosting and Sprinkles

• 3 containers Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting
• Betty Crocker™ red, white and blue sprinkles, as desired

Directions:

1. To make red cake layers: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray two 8-inch round pans; place 8-inch round piece cooking parchment paper in bottom of each pan. Grease or spray parchment paper. In large bowl, beat red cake layer ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Spread in pans. Bake 29 to 34 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Gently remove from pans to cooling rack; remove parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Flatten cake layers by trimming off rounded tops. Cut layers in half horizontally to make 4 thin red layers. In 1 layer, cut small round out of center, using 4-inch biscuit cutter. Wrap and freeze 1 thin layer and the layer that was cut out of; save for another use.
2. To make blue cake layer: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray 8-inch round pan; place 8-inch round piece cooking parchment paper in bottom of pan. Grease or spray parchment paper. In medium bowl, beat all blue cake layer ingredients except sprinkles with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Fold sprinkles into batter. Spread in pan. Bake 29 to 34 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Gently remove from pan to cooling rack; remove parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Flatten cake layer by trimming off rounded top. Do not cut in half horizontally. Cut small round out of center, using 4-inch round biscuit cutter. Wrap and freeze 4-inch round; save for another use.
3. To make white cake layer: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray 8-inch round pan; place 8-inch round piece cooking parchment paper in bottom of pan. Grease or spray parchment paper. In medium bowl, beat white cake layer ingredients with electric mixer on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Spread in pan. Bake 29 to 34 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool 10 minutes; run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Gently remove from pan to cooling rack; remove parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Flatten cake layer by trimming off rounded top. Cut layer in half horizontally to make 2 thin white layers. In 1 layer, cut small round out of center, using 4-inch biscuit cutter. Wrap and freeze the layer that was cut out of; save for another use.
4. To assemble cake: Place 1 red cake layer on cake stand or serving platter; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with 1 white cake layer; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Top with second red cake layer; spread 1/3 cup frosting on top. Gently top with blue layer. Carefully spread thin layer of frosting on cut edge inside of blue cake layer. Gently insert white 4-inch cake round; top with frosting and then red 4-inch cake round; press slightly. Frost side and top of cake using remaining frosting. Top with sprinkles. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Gather your friends and hit the store—it’s time to start cooking. Enjoy your party and have a fantastic 4th of July, collegiettes!