Plan Ahead 4th Of July No-Bake Desserts

Celebrate the 4th of July with a lineup of festive no-bake desserts that perfectly suit those hot summer days. As the sun shines bright and temperatures rise, treat the whole family to these refreshing and delightful treats. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or picnic, or simply looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, these 4th of July no-bake desserts will add a spark of flavor and creativity to your Independence Day celebrations.

These desserts are simple to make, but big on flavor. Your family and friends will love these options! Plus, who doesn't love good patriotic desserts? Note that these are also great for your Memorial Day celebrations as well. 

Whether you need just one dessert or several to create your dessert table, this post will have everything you need!

Why no-bake desserts in July?

• No oven is needed. Our homes are already fighting to stay cool, why turn on the oven and make the air conditioners work even harder? 
• Simplicity- if you are planning a 4th of July get-together or just bringing dessert, the no-bake in these desserts makes them low maintenance and easy to make. Each is a simple dessert you can put together in no time. 
• Fresh fruit- Most of these desserts I am showcasing and sharing make good use of seasonal fresh fruits. I am a huge proponent of using what is local and in season. 

4th of July trifle

First, let me share 2 recipes from my own site. The first is a new recipe I developed just for this post and it is a good one! This delicious dessert is a patriotic trifle. If you aren't familiar with what a basic trifle is, it is really simple to make. I used a store-bought angel food cake to save time. Then layered this a sweetened cream cheese mixture blended with whipped cream, fresh blueberries, and fresh strawberries. You can see in the photos below just how simple it is! 

Icebox cake

The next recipe to share is this simple, chilled icebox cake. Icebox cakes, especially like this one are really easy to make. They are layers of graham crackers (or other cookies), sweetened cream cheese, and fresh berries (strawberries and blueberries). 

Let this chill and serve. What I love about this one is it can even be made the day before, so there is no stress on serving day. It is an easy red, white, and blue festive dessert. In my mind, this is the perfect treat to beat the heat!

Ice cream desserts

What would July be without ice cream desserts? Nothing beats the heat better. What I love about these desserts is they are so quick and easy to make. They are perfect last-minute treats. 

This first is from LIfe by Leanna and they are patriotic ice cream sandwiches. My family would love these! These are a festive treat that is no-stress. 

I also love this idea from Handle the Heat for patriotic cookie sandwiches. The best of both worlds! The perfect sweet treat, and one of those easy recipes that everyone needs in their back pocket. 

No bake cheesecake

Let me share even more patriotic recipes I know you will love!

These adorable little no-bake cheesecake jars from Sally's Baking are just too cute! Creamy cheesecake is a dessert that is hard to pass up. 

Also, this Eton Mess no-bake cheesecake from Half Baked Harvest is a dessert I would really dig into!

Mini anything always attracts my attention, which is why I am ogling over these mini patriotic no-bake cheesecake from sprinkles for breakfast! 

4th of July jello desserts

While Jello might not be personal favorite desserts, a lot of people love them, and for good reason. They are effortless to make and so pretty! Any of these would be perfect for your backyard BBQ and patriotic party. 

I love how blue colors are red on this jello dessert from Six Sisters Stuff. 

This layered jello dessert from Our Best Bites is particularly stunning with the red white and blue layers. 

Together as a family shared a recipe for this 4th of July jello pie. Another cool dessert using Jello. 

4th of July rice krispie treats

Another no-bake easy patriotic dessert are rice krispie treats. In case you hadn't considered these, let me share a few fun examples of recipes you should try!

Fake Ginger has these really cool layered rice krispie treats that will be a hit no matter the crowd you are serving. It uses simple ingredients and is the perfect dessert for your group. 

Another fun recipe to serve at your Independence Day BBQ is this jello rice crispy recipe. The added flavor in this recipe takes the classic rice crispy treat to a whole new level. 

Oreo Dessert

Premade cookies- like Oreos are a crowd favorite. Turning them patriotic for your summer holidays is an even better idea. 

These chocolate-covered Oreos from Eating on a Dime are a dessert the kids can help with and they are so cute! The bright patriotic red and patriotic blue will set off your party.

Oreo cream cheese balls for the 4th of July from Southern Plate are also really fun to serve. They are easy and you can make them the day before. 

I like the vibrant colors in these chocolate-covered Oreos from Brooklyn Active Mama too. 

Fruit for the 4th of July

A healthier way to enjoy sweetness is with fresh fruit. Most holidays are laden with sugar-heavy treats. If you are looking for better options, let me share a few with you. 

This patriotic fruit tray is so pretty from Around My Family Table. 

Or if it is a patriotic fruit salad you are looking for, let me suggest this pretty one from Persnickety Plates. 

• Cakes