Fourth of July Blast

It’s a star-spangled day! Make fireworks on the grill with these easy recipes that really sizzle. Last-minute prep is kept to a minimum in this menu. New twists to all your favorites are here with plenty of patriotic red, white and blue!

"If you're making a fruit pie, cut small star shapes out of the top crust. Or, make star-shaped cookies and decorate with red, white and blue sprinkles."

Andi, Food Editor - Betty Crocker Kitchens

The Menu
Party Guide
Plan Ahead

Red, White and Ooh! Serving Ideas

Celebrate with a star-spangled appetizer made by topping a block of cream cheese with your favorite salsa and fresh blueberries. Serve with crackers.
Or try our Apricot-Chipotle-Cream Cheese Star.
Our Red, White and Blueberry Salad is another patriotic way to serve a salad.
Tuck toothpicks that have miniature American flags attached into the burgers or shortcakes.
Simplicity reigns with a centerpiece bouquet of red, white and blue flags. These can become take-home souvenirs and used during the parade.
Make personalized flags by attaching red squares of fabric to wooden dowels. Using fabric markers, identify your own event with the date.

Declaration of Fun Ideas

Red, White and Balloon Toss: Pair up, and stand facing a partner. Toss a water-filled balloon to your partner who catches the balloon. Continue tossing and catching, stepping back a foot after each successful catch. The winner is the pair who have stepped back the farthest without having the balloon burst.
Strike up the Band: Create an old-fashioned kitchen band complete with kazoos, washboards, pan lids for cymbals and waxed paper-covered combs. You may want a portable boom box handy with some genuine marching music in case the giggles take over!
Red, White and Beans: Fill a huge jar with red, white and blue jelly beans. Have guests write down their guess on how many beans are in the jar. The closest guess wins a prize--the jar of beans!
Declare your sizzling party an historical success. Make a memory album of the event with photos, guest list and quotes or funnies. Vow to make it an annual event, passing along the host/hostess duties and the memory book duties, as well.

Up to 2 Days Ahead

Make shortcake dough for Red, White and Blue Shortcake Stars (if served), following recipe’s Do-Ahead Tip.
Mix sugar and juices for Pineapple Limeade (if served); refrigerate covered. (If you're expecting a really hot day, prepare extra limeade or have other beverages available.)

The Day Before

Bake and frost Red Velvet Rich and Creamy Cookies (if served); store tightly covered at room temperature.
Bake brownie pizza for Brownie 'n Berries Dessert Pizza; store tightly covered at room temperature.
Make Layered Summer Pasta Salad; cover and store in fridge.

The Morning Of

Thaw shortcakes in refrigerator; bake.
Make Slow Cooker Baked Beans.
Shape patties for Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Turkey Burgers; cover and refrigerate.
Prepare strawberries for shortcakes.
Make berry sauce and chocolate curls for Red, White and Blueberry Sundaes (if served).
Make Watermelon Lemonade (if served); refrigerate.

1 to 1 1/2 Hours Before Meal