Red, White and Blue Desserts for July 4th

Who says "fruited" needs to be "plain?" Here are some tasty summer dessert ideas that will look great at your Independence Day party. 

Flag Cheesecake

You'll need two jello no bake cheesecakes. Make the crust according to the package directions and place it in a 13X9 baking dish. Use a pancake turner and firmly press crust into the bottom of the dish. Make the filling according to the package directions and add to the crust. Use blueberries and raspberries to make a flag design on top. Chill for four hours prior to serving. Slice and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Patriotic Trifle

You'll need a couple packages of shortcake, and 8 ounce block of cream cheese (reduced fat would work just fine), a box of vanilla instant pudding and a tub of Cool Whip (fat free sugar free would work just fine, too); plus strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Next, beat the cream cheese, pudding and Cool Whip until it's smooth and creamy. Cut the shortcake up into smaller pieces and line the bottom of a clear serving bowl. Spoon the cream cheese/pudding/Cool Whip mixture over the shortcake. Sprinkle in a layer of berries. Repeat the layers until you finish with fruit. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Red, White and Blue Parfaits

These look really cool in a martini glass. Grab some clear plastic glasses (martini or otherwise) at your favorite party supply store. You'll also need vanilla yogurt, strawberries and blueberries. Layer a spoonful of yogurt in the bottom and tap the glass on the counter a few times to get it all the way down to the bottom, get the air bubbles out and smooth out the yogurt without making a mess. Next, drop in some sliced strawberries. Layer in more yogurt, then drop in a layer of blueberries. Repeat the layers until you finish with fruit. Top with a spoonful of Cool Whip. Garnish with a few blueberries and a whole strawberry, but only slice the strawberry partway through and place it on the rim of the glass.

Striped Stars

Use your favorite sugar cookie dough and some jam for this one. Make sure the dough is cold for this one, so they're still slightly firm when you slice them. Roll out the dough and use a star shaped cookie cutter. Make sure you have an even number. Spoon some extra sugar on top before placing in the oven and then bake according to directions. While they're cooling, place some blueberry jam in the blender and set it on "puree". Blend it for a few seconds and set aside. Rinse the blender and do the same with raspberry jam. If you blend it, it's easier to spread so the cookies don't break, but it will still set up.) When the cookies cool and the jam is still liquidy, spoon jam onto the bottom of one cookie, and place another cookie on top. Continue until all the cookies have been used. Put the cookies in the refrigerator and chill until the jam has set up.

Red, White and Blue Fluff

It's exactly like it sounds. It's fluffy. You'll need a box of strawberry flavored jello, a box of vanilla instant pudding, strawberries, blueberries and Cool Whip. The fat free, sugar free varieties of jello, pudding and Cool Whip work, too. Make the jello according to package directions, but DON'T put it in the fridge. When the jello is dissolved, add in the vanilla pudding and beat until smooth. Fold in sliced strawberries and Cool Whip. Chill before serving. Sprinkle with blueberries before serving.

What's your favorite 4th of July dessert?