The Easiest 4th of July Dessert Your Kids Will Love
This easy 4th of July dessert is perfect for busy moms. It’s festive, fun for kids, and takes just minutes to make.
What is it about the Fourth of July that brings out the best kind of chaos… sticky fingers, red-white-and-blue everything, and the smell of sunscreen everywhere you turn. With nine kids between the two of us, we’ve learned to keep things simple when it comes to celebrations, but still make memories and stay festive. That’s why this go-to ice cream sandwich dessert is one of our favorite tricks for bringing the fun without the stress.
It started a few years ago when we wanted to throw together a festive treat that didn’t involve baking or melting in the kitchen. We grabbed a box of store-bought ice cream sandwiches, dipped the sides in sprinkles, and froze them in batches. It was so easy, the kids jumped in to help… and then proudly served them to their cousins like little chefs. That’s when we knew it was a keeper.
If you’re looking for something sweet, festive, and fast this 4th of July, keep reading. These ideas will save you time and bring big smiles all around.
The Easiest 4th of July Dessert Ideas
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More Fun in Less Time: Easy Patriotic Desserts That Work
We’re not those Instagram moms who make creating tiny cookies with toothpick designs look easy… we’re short on time, but still want to make the most out of the holidays with our kids… and make them memorable while we’re at it.
If you need some tips for doing this right, we’ve got them. First, go with the store-bought items. It’ll feel homemade, but will save you so much time. Second, let your kids help. That way, it can be part memory building activity and part fun and delicious dessert. Third, we like to choose treats that can be prepped ahead and stored easily, which means we avoid anything that melts too quickly in the heat or needs exact baking time. And fourth, when in doubt, take something regular an dadd some mini flags or festive plates to dress it up to be more festive.
The Classic: Ice Cream Sandwich Sprinkle Dips
Our absolute favorite festive dessert idea is this amazing classic that is always a crowd favorite. Here’s how to make it:
- Start with a box of ice cream sandwiches—any brand works, but we like organic ones that taste great and hold their shape
- Pour red, white, and blue sprinkles into a shallow dish
- Unwrap each sandwich and roll the edges in sprinkles until coated
- Place them back in the freezer in airtight containers until you’re ready to serve
- Optional: wrap them in wax paper and tie with string for a cute presentation
These are a hit every time. The prep takes less than 10 minutes and they look way more festive than you’d expect. Plus, there’s no worrying about serving or slicing anything… literally just grab and go.
More of Our Favorite Easy 4th of July Dessert Options
If you’re looking for something that doesn’t involve ice cream, we love these other ideas:
2-Minute Backup Idea: Firecracker Berry Cups
Here’s how to make them:
- Use clear plastic cups and layer blueberries, strawberries, and mini marshmallows
- Top with a toothpick flag or sparkler stick for flair
- These work great when you want something light, healthy-ish, and easy to hand out to kids
This is a fun option if you’re feeding toddlers or want something besides sugar in the mix. You can even add a dollop of whipped cream to turn it into a more dessert-like treat.
No-Bake Bonus: Festive Pretzel Rods
Here’s how to make them:
- Dip pretzel rods halfway in melted white chocolate or candy melts
- Immediately add red-white-blue sprinkles or drizzle with colored chocolate
- Lay on parchment paper to cool and harden
- Store in a sealed container to keep them crisp
These are a crowd-pleaser and hold up well at parties, even outdoors. Plus, they make great last-minute treats if you need something to bring to a BBQ.
The Only 3 Things You’ll Need for The Classic
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
For the classic, these are the only things you’ll need to have on hand. So easy!
- Patriotic Sprinkles – These instantly make any dessert look festive. We’ve used them on ice cream sandwiches, dipped pretzels, and even on cupcakes if we’re feeling fancy.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches Organic 6 Count – These are our go-to because they’re the perfect size and taste amazing. They also don’t get soggy as fast when you dip them in sprinkles and freeze them again.
- Color Mates Food Storage lids/Airtight containers – A must if you’re prepping your treats ahead of time. These keep everything fresh, prevent freezer burn, and stack easily in your freezer.
Just remember next time you feel like you’re a bad mom because you didn’t have time to make something from scratch, festive treats don’t need to be complicated to be memorable. We love these quick and easy 4th of July desserts and we know they’ll give you all the festive fun with none of the stress. Whichever fun dessert you choose, you’ll be ready with something sweet the whole crowd will love.
Have you tried any of these? Or do you have your own go-to treat for the 4th? We’d love to hear what your family serves up! Let us know in the comments below.
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