22 Spectacular Cakes For Fourth Of July

When people think of Fourth of July food, their minds usually turn to hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and watermelon. But instead of letting your Independence Day festivities get stuck in a rut, surprise your friends and family at the end of the day with a cake made especially for them. And we don't mean just any run-of-the-mill cake — these treats are specifically designed with the Fourth of July in mind.

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Make sure everyone at your party gets a little bite of something sweet with the Cake Ball Flag Cake, made up of a series of little cream cheese cake bites put together in the shape of the American flag. Or entertain the younger crowd set with the July 4 Firework Push-Up Cakes, made with red and blue cupcakes in a push-pop container. If your guests' prefer something a little more refined, serve them the Red, White, and Blue Lemon Berry Tiramisu, a unique take on a classic summer cake featuring mascarpone cheese between layers of ladyfingers.

Be sure to keep your cake in the fridge until right before serving it in order to keep the frosting and decorations intact — the July heat will melt it down if left out, and your masterpiece will end up looking more like a mess. If you will be outside for a long time without access to a fridge or air-conditioning, pack your cake in a cooler or keep it on a bed of ice to ensure it will look as great when you serve it as it did at the beginning of the day.

Whatever your plans this Fourth of July, make sure you take the time to relax with family or friends while you enjoy the summertime and, of course, some cake, too.