13 Fourth of July recipes for a summer celebration
Including lots of festive dessert ideas.
Date
June 24, 2026
The Fourth of July is here, which means cookout season is upon us! And maybe this year, instead of rocket pops and s’mores (or in addition to rocket pops and s’mores) you try out one of the fruit-forward recipes on this list for your holiday celebration. Bonus points for anyone who makes their own hot dog and hamburger buns for all your July Fourth grilling.
1) Sour Cherry Pie
Bright, tangy, and wonderfully juicy, sour cherries give this pie a sweet-tart flavor that’s a stark contrast to overly sweet cherry pie filling. This one has a few thoughtful additions, like a splash of almond extract to complement the cherries and a touch of cinnamon for warmth.
Get the recipe: Sour Cherry Pie
To make this recipe, you'll need: Almond Extract and Vietnamese Cinnamon
2) Super-Simple Strawberry Cake
This easy strawberry cake is quintessentially summer, with fresh fruit topping a tender-yet-sturdy cake enriched with sour cream. Add in a handful of blueberries and use a rectangular pan to make an easy flag cake. (See tips at the bottom of the recipe page for more info.)
Get the recipe: Super-Simple Strawberry Cake
To make this recipe, you'll need: Pure Vanilla Extract
3) 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
Whole wheat hamburger buns that are tender, fluffy, and flavorful? They’re not only possible — they’re easy to pull off and way better than storebought. A touch of honey adds subtle sweetness; plus, these are sturdy enough for you to load your burger with toppings without worrying about the bun falling apart.
Get the recipe: 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
To make this recipe, you'll need: Golden Wheat Flour and Hamburger Bun and Mini Pie Pan
4) Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches
You’ll want to keep your freezer stocked with these all summer long. Soft, chewy, cinnamon oatmeal cookie bars are layered with a creamy, strawberry-studded, no-churn ice cream. Featuring both fresh and freeze-dried strawberries, the refreshing fruity filling packs more strawberry flavor than your average store-bought pint.
Get the recipe: Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches
To make this recipe, you'll need: Half-Sheet Pan and Rolled Oats
5) Hot Summer Spoon Cake
This spoon cake is the definition of a simple summer pleasure. Get the fruit macerating before dinner, then stir together the almond-scented batter while someone else clears the table. You’ll have a warm, gooey dessert in about 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Hot Summer Spoon Cake
To make this recipe, you'll need: Almond Flour
6) New England Hot Dog Buns
These classic rolls are a staple of both lobster rolls and hot dogs alike. They have a soft, fluffy texture, and are head and shoulders above storebought.
Get the recipe: New England Hot Dog Buns
To make this recipe, you'll need: New England Hot Dog Bun Pan
7) S’mores Icebox Cake
For a long weekend when you can’t be bothered to turn on an oven (or even spend much time in the kitchen), this icebox cake is the answer. Cinnamon graham crackers, fudgy chocolate sauce, and toasted marshmallow whipped cream are the perfect combination for a summery Fourth of July dessert.
Get the recipe: S’mores Icebox Cake
To make this recipe, you'll need: King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
8) American Flag Pie
This patriotic pie is a delicious way to kick off the holiday weekend. With its red-and-blue fruity filling (blueberries, strawberries, and rhubarb) and a crust that has both stars and stripes, it's the perfect pie for America’s 250th birthday.
Get the recipe: American Flag Pie
To make this recipe, you'll need: Pie Filling Enhancer
9) Berry Easy Jam Bars
It doesn’t get easier than this recipe. A buttery, brown sugar-y, oat-bolstered dough is simply pressed into the pan, then topped with sugared berries; the remaining dough is scattered over the fruit for a simple streusel finish.
Get the recipe: Berry Easy Jam Bars
To make this recipe, you'll need: 8” Square Pan
10) Scallion-Sesame Hot Dog Buns
If you don’t use up all of your hot dogs on the grill, cut them up and make them into these whimsical flower-shaped milk bread buns. Scallions are rolled in with the bread, so each bite has the fragrance and punch of alliums.
Get the recipe: Scallion Sesame Hot Dog Buns
To make this recipe, you'll need: SAF Instant Yeast
11) No-Bake Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce
Unlike heavier cheesecakes, this one has a mousse-like texture thanks to a whipped cream cheese filling. Macerated raspberries or a layer of your favorite raspberry jam on top adds a flash of vibrant color and fresh, tart flavor.
Get the recipe: No-Bake Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce
To make this recipe, you'll need: Pie Pan
12) Fresh Fruit Cobbler
Lazy and fuss-free, this fruit cobbler is made for summer. This cake-style cobbler is light and tender, and you can use your favorite fruit, from nectarines and cherries to plums and berries.
Get the recipe: Fresh Fruit Cobbler
To make this recipe, you'll need: 9” Square Pan
13) Pick-Your-Own Fruit Cookies
These cookies are bejeweled with fresh fruit, and they make it easy to use red and blue fruits in a novel way this Independence Day. The lemon-flavored cookie dough is the perfect backdrop for your fruit; plus, you probably have everything you need already in your pantry to whip these up.
Get the recipe: Pick-Your-Own Fruit Cookies
To make this recipe, you'll need: Half-Sheet Baking Parchment Paper
Cover photo by Danielle Sykes; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova.
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