Four 4th of July Recipes

Are you going to an Independence Day barbecue? Or having a party at your house? Either way, use these recipes for inspiration to please guests whether you are bringing snacks to a party or serving them in your own backyard. Have your own recipe? Share it in the comments section.

• A red, white and blue trifle is an excellent dessert to make for a party on the 4th of July. You will need one box of red velvet cake mix, one tub of whipped cream, two pints of blueberries and one pint of strawberries. Cut the tops off the strawberries before you begin. Bake the red velvet cake mix and let it cool. Cut the cake into small, square pieces and place a layer on the bottom of the trifle bowl. Then, spread a layer of whipped cream on top of the cake layer. The next layer should be one and a half pints of blueberries, followed by another layer of cake and then another layer of whipped cream. Cover the last whipped cream layer with strawberries and then the rest of the blueberries.

• Festive ice cream sandwiches are good for kids. Buy ice cream sandwiches and let them defrost for a few minutes. Once the ice cream is soft, dip the sides in red and blue sprinkles. Place them back in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before serving.

• Red, hot, and blue buffalo wings are a delicious treat for the fourth. You will need about 20 chicken wings, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, salt to taste, 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of hot pepper sauce, and 1 cup of melted butter. Mix the flour, cayenne pepper and salt and cover the wings with the mix. Mix the butter and hot sauce, and dip the wings in the mix. Cook the wings on the grill until they are no longer pink in the middle. 

• Stars and stripes cupcakes are perfect for any Fourth of July party or barbecue. You will need cake mix, vanilla frosting, red icing and blueberries. Bake your cupcakes and cover with vanilla frosting. Use the red icing to make the stripes of the flag and use a few blueberries to make stars.