5 Patriotic Desserts (And a Cocktail!)

So, I'll admit it...I've gone a little crazy with the patriotic colors, but I do have a very good reason; people need options!  Don't you agree?  Well, lucky for you if you do!  Here I've listed six more of the best red, white, & blue dessert recipes (and a cocktail!) on the web for all of you who appreciate them.  Enjoy & have a sparkling Independence Day!

1. Combat summer heat with an ice cream cake like this one from Bittersweet.

Get the recipe here.

2. A classic made even more American--Red, White, & Blueberry Shortcakes

Recipe here.

3. From Hungry Rabbit, here is the 'American Pie' Cake.

Get recipe here.

4. These little Berry Tarts from Bright Eyed Baker are easy to make, a healthier alternative to a traditional tart, & topped with the season's fresh berries. Get the recipe here.

5. These Swirled Cheesecake Bars from Dashing Dish only look complicated to make.  Not only are they simple, each serving is under 150 calories!!  Recipe here.

6.  Last, but certainly not least, from Tasty Trials are these beautiful Fourth of July Cocktails.  Recipe here.

Hamburger Cookies

Do not be fooled.  These are in fact cookies that look like hamburgers.  Oh yes, believe it.  They are real.  They are adorable.  And most importantly, they are delicious. Simple to assemble, using Nilla Wafers & peppermint patties.  My daughter & my niece had a lot of fun with this cookie "recipe." 

Ingredients:

48 Nilla Wafer Cookies

24 mini peppermint patties

1/4-1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 can vanilla frosting

1/2-1 Tbsp sesame seeds

Red, Yellow, and Green food coloring

Directions:

Spoon out half of the frosting into one bowl and the rest in another.  Drop the red food coloring in the first bowl and mix.  Continue to drop the coloring until the desired color is reached.  Repeat with the yellow coloring in the second bowl.

Pour the shredded coconut into a third bowl.  Drop the green food coloring and mix.  Continue to drop the coloring until the desired color is reached.

Lay out all of the Nilla Wafers, curved side down, on a cutting board or large plate.  Using a knife, dab a bit of frosting (does not matter if it's the red or yellow) on 24 of the Wafers.  This helps to secure the peppermint pattie.   

Unwrap the 24 peppermint patties and place on top of each Wafer with the dab of frosting.  Carefully spread a bit of red frosting on half of each pattie.  Repeat with the yellow frosting on the other half.  Take the coconut and sprinkle on top of each pattie.  Place the remaining Wafers on top of the patties.

Now you can dab a tiny bit of water on the top of each Wafer and then sprinkle with sesame seeds.  Let stand for about 30 minutes to an hour in order for the cookie to stick together.     

(makes 24 cookies)