Fireworks and barbecues are a quintessential part of most people’s Fourth of July celebrations. Homemade burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and all manner of delicious things are cooked on the grill always make for a tasty start to the festivities, but everyone knows that the best part of the meal is dessert

There are so many fantastic desserts to make for the Fourth of July, with berries and colorful red, white, and blue sprinkles adding that extra dose of American spirit and star-spangled celebration effortlessly. 

Ice cream cones, fruit pies, and brightly colored flag cakes, are all delectable dishes that are frequently found at many a Fourth of July cookout, but there are so many other wonderful desserts that one can make that are still perfectly patriotic!

From hand pies and flag pies to brownies, grilled banana splits and strawberry shortcake, there are so many wonderful desserts to choose from when considering what to make for this all-American holiday. Read on for 17 Fourth of July desserts that are more American than apple pie.

Summer is the time for blueberries, so make the most of this wonderful fruit and load up a pie crust to make a dessert that is so simple and so delicious. Serve a slice of this pie with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream (and perhaps a strawberry if you are feeling patriotic).

For the Blueberry Pie recipe, click here.

Lemon, blueberries, and raspberries all go together perfectly and can be arranged in a very festive star-spangled way — add sparklers on top for bonus points.

For the Blueberry and Raspberry Lemon Cake recipe, click here.

Whoopie pies, while not red, white, and blue, are a wonderful American sweet treat to enjoy at a barbecue. They’re easy to make and transport and even easier to eat while walking around or sitting on a blanket. These whoopie pies are made with stout, which gives them a lovely depth of flavor and enhances their intense chocolaty flavor.

For the Chocolate Stout Whoopie Pies recipe, click here.

Another American staple that is perfect for an outdoor picnic are these blender brownies that take five minutes to mix up and 20 minutes to bake — perfect if you need a last-minute dessert for any occasion.

For the Flourless Blender Brownies recipe, click here.

This fabulous flag pie gives guests two options in one pie. It’s a great, lighter alternative to the more commonly seen flag cake.

For the Flag Pie recipe, click here.

Top this giant sugar cookie with whipped cream, vanilla pudding, and your favorite fruits (preferably red, white and blue ones) for a tasty dessert ‘pizza’ that everyone will enjoy.

For the Fruit-Topped Sugar Cookie Dessert Pizza recipe, click here.

Make this soda shop classic on the grill this Fourth of July for a fun twist. Grill bananas, pound cake, and pineapple on skewers before topping it all with ice cream, chocolate sauce, and of course, a cherry on top.

For the Grilled Banana Split Sundaes recipe, click here.

Everyone loves a good old-fashioned icebox cake, and this one will be no exception. It requires no baking, is ultra-easy to make, looks beautiful, and tastes divine.

For the Lemon Shortbread Cookie Icebox Cake, click here.

For those who are more chocolate-inclined, do yourself a favor ad whip up a Mississippi mud pie. This recipe is simple and combines chocolate ice cream, Nutella, coconut, and a chocolate wafer cookie crust for a dessert that is wonderfully decadent and can be made ahead of time.

For the Mississippi Mud Pie recipe, click here.

To make this no-bake rose cheesecake even more festive, substitute raspberries for the cantaloupe for the perfect red, white, and blue dessert that the adults at the party will love.

For the No-Bake Rosé Cheesecake recipe, click here.

Layers of strawberry, yogurt, and blueberries make these fun and delicious firecracker ice pops that are the perfect desert for a hot Fourth of July celebration.

For the Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Ice Pops recipe, click here.

Here’s something sweet for all of the adults at the party — a delightful red, white, and blue vodka Jell-O shot that is fun and festive.

For the Red, White, and Blue Spiked Sweets Jell-O Shots recipe, click here.

Celebrate Independence Day with these easy cakes that are moist, delicately fluffy, and full of patriotic flair. The cream cheese frosting is slightly tangy and pairs perfectly with the rich cake. The blueberries on top make this treat bursting with fresh flavor and complete the red, white, and blue colors.

For the Red Velvet Star Cakes recipe, click here.

Shaping these shortcakes into stars makes these much more fun and Fourth of July-appropriate. With fresh whipped cream and fresh raspberries, these are light, sweet, and totally scrumptious.

For the Star-Shaped Blueberry Shortcakes recipe, click here.

These hand pies are a perfect dessert to grab and walk around with. The recipe calls for them to be fried, but you can easily bake them in a hot oven (around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes) until they are golden brown.

For the Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies recipe, click here.

This simple, no-bake, make-ahead cake is as easy as layering vanilla wafer cookies, fresh sliced strawberries, and whipped cream in a cake pan. After three to four layers of each ingredient, cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 24 hours. Slice and enjoy!

For the Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake recipe, click here.

This cheesecake is patriotically red, white, and blue with strawberries, blueberries, and cream cheese. This simple cheesecake is easy to assemble and is just one of many options when it comes to great backyard barbecue desserts.

For the Wave Your Flag Cheesecake recipe, click here.

More from The Daily Meal:

The Most Epic Fourth of July Celebrations in America

23 No-Cook Barbecue Sides

25 Patriotic Dishes You Need at Your Fourth of July Bash

12 Barbecue Sides To Wow Your Guests At Your Summer Cookout

Healthy Swaps to Make at Any Barbecue