5 All-American Recipes for a Star-Spangled Celebration

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Of course, it’s a time to celebrate the birth of America, but it’s also summertime, which in Oregon means we finally awaken from our months of cold weather to enjoy some heat! When I think of the July 4th, I immediately think of lake time, family time, fireworks, and, of course, FOOD! 

We celebrate living in America every day of the year. Our flag flies on our front porch year-round, and it’s always fun to see how others celebrate this great nation on the 4th. In my family, BBQ and family time are central to the occasion. We eat picnic-style at the cabin on the lake. Everyone contributes a dish, and we all enjoy it. Then, we float on the lake the rest of the time.

There are so many fun Fourth of July recipes to be found on the internet, so I thought I would share a few of my family's favorite recipes that are a part of how we celebrate America's birthday! These treats are super easy, taste delicious, and are sure to impress at your Fourth of July gathering!

Fruit Sparklers: Spear some blueberries on a skewer, top with a star-shaped piece of watermelon, and you have a cute snack that will delight kids of all ages—both because it looks so fun and tastes delicious! 

Ingredients:

• Skewers

• Blueberries

• Watermelon

Instructions:

1. Add 8 blueberries to the skewer

2. Use a mini star cookie cutter to cut a star-shaped piece of watermelon

3. Place decoratively in Azure Canning Co. jar (NF811) to serve (pictured in our wide mouth pint jars).

Firecracker Dogs: Crescent dough-wrapped hot dogs with a star-shaped piece of cheese on top of a skewer. These taste just as good as they look, I promise!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (FL080)

• 1 Tbsp sugar (SW079)

• 1 tsp salt (BP066)

• ½ tsp baking powder (BP713)

• ½ Tbsp dry active yeast (BP334)

• 11 Tbsp softened butter (⅔ cup) (DP413)

• ¾ cup warm water

• 1 egg beaten for egg wash (DP630)

• Hot dogs of your choice (MT1034)

• Cheddar cheese in the shape of a small star (CH509)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first 5 (dry) ingredients. Add the butter and water and mix well. Let rest for 30 minutes. (Dough will be slightly sticky.)

2. Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll out each piece to a 12x8 rectangle over parchment paper. Using a bench scraper, cut each rectangle into 4 pieces, and then cut each of those pieces in half diagonally to make 8 triangles. Cut the triangles into long strips.

3. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 

4. Place a hot dog on each skewer.

5. Twist one strip of dough around each hot dog. (Use multiple strips if needed.)

6. Brush with egg wash and bake for 12-15 minutes.

7. Let cool. Using a mini cookie cutter, cut one star-shaped cheese slice for each hot dog. Stick on the very top of the skewer to form your firecracker dog.

These can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator, then reheated in the oven or on the BBQ before serving.

American Berry Salsa: Strawberries are the star of this refreshing salsa! 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups strawberries

• ⅓ cup blueberries

• ⅓ cup chopped onions (QP019)

• 1 jalapeno pepper (QP704)

• 2-3 Tbsp chopped cilantro (QP303)

• Juice from 1 lime (QP061)

Instructions:

1. Chop the strawberries, onions, and jalapeno peppers. Mix together. Add cilantro and juice from the lime.

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips for Dipping in Berry Salsa

Ingredients: 

• 1 package of flour tortillas (8-10 count) (FG879)

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (DP413)

• ¼ cup granulated sugar (SW079)

• 1 tsp cinnamon (HS1532)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Brush tortillas with melted butter.

3. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Sprinkle over tortillas.

4. Cut the tortillas into triangles and put the triangles in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Use a pizza cutter (HA011) to make this step quick and easy.

5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the chips are crispy and golden brown.

6. Serve with American Berry Salsa and enjoy!

American Flag Strawberry Jello Cake!

And last but certainly not least….what’s a party without cake…? I don’t remember a 4th of July when we didn’t have an American Flag Cake.

Ingredients:

• 1 white cake mix (I used Miss Jones mix, follow baking directions for two 9” rounds) (BM412)

• 1 box strawberry jello mix (I used Simply Delish Sugar Free Jel) (GY1609)

• Fresh strawberries

• Fresh blueberries

• whipped cream

• 3 eggs (DP630)

• ½ cup milk

• ½ cup melted, unsalted butter (DP413)

Instructions:

1. Follow cake mix baking directions.

2. After baking, allow the cake to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the jello with ⅓ cup of cold water and stir until dissolved, then add in 1 ⅓  cup of boiling water and stir.

3. Poke the top of your cake with a fork, creating small holes all over.

4. Slowly pour the jello mixture over the entire cake, and allow the cake to finish cooling. 

5. Using a spatula, spread whipped cream evenly over the entire cake.

6. Add 5 or more rows of blueberries to the top left corner of the cake.

7. Stem and slice the strawberries lengthwise; then add rows of strawberries to create the red stripes for your cake. I had enough room to add four rows of strawberries to my cake.

8. When you’re done decorating, cover and chill your Fourth of July Cake for 3 to 4 hours.  Serve chilled.

American Flag Cake will keep 2 to 3 days covered in the refrigerator.

Homemade Cool Whip

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, very cold (DP076)

• ⅓ cup superfine sugar (SW112)

• 1 ½ tsp instant vanilla pudding powder (GY1618)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (BP046)

Directions:

1. Whip the cream, adding the sugar slowly.

2. When it starts to thicken add the instant pudding powder and vanilla.

3. Continue to whip until light and fluffy.

4. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator. Use in place of Cool Whip for any recipe.

Wishing you all a star-spangled celebration!