No-Bake Desserts for July Fourth

Mains on the grill, sides in the oven, kitchens overrun with family members: sometimes it’s easy to overlook dessert, let alone know where to prepare one during a holiday weekend. This Fourth of July, we recommend keeping things cool…both your desserts and demeanor, that is, by opting for these no-bake desserts that can be easily tucked away in the fridge or freezer and pulled out for a refreshing finale to conclude your festivities.

If you have a firm headcount for your gathering, try employing individually-portioned desserts like chocolate cherry mousse cups or mint julep trifles to keep things simple. Or, if you’re certain the dessert table will be the event hub, choose no-bake dessert options that can go the distance, like a blackberry icebox cake, chocolate chip gelato, or peach iced tea sorbet to fuel your evening.

You can serve these approachable, crowd-pleasing desserts with a bounty of topping choices like roasted nuts, fresh seasonal fruit, hot honey, graham cracker crumbs, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles.

Let your summertime dessert recipes lean on fresh produce. Incorporate sweet peach slices, bursting blueberries, or tart blackberries as toppings; we can’t resist adding a few Jack Rudy Bourbon Cocktail Cherries to top our gelato or mousse cups. If you’re making a blackberry icebox cake or chocolate cherry mousse, we recommend trying your hand at homemade jam to let those berries shine, but store-bought options work just as well in a pinch.

5 No-Bake Desserts for Independence Day

Chocolate Chip Gelato

Creamy, sweet chocolate chip gelato makes for a satisfying treat for the whole family. Create a self-serve topping station so guests can customize their bowl or cone with fruits, crumbled cookies, freshly torn mint leaves, or cherries.

Mint Julep Trifles

These personal-sized mint julep trifles pair mint mouse over a full-bodied bourbon gelée before finishing it with crumbled almond meal on top. Light and fluffy, these will serve as a triumphant end to your celebration.

Blackberry Jam Icebox Cake

A blackberry jam icebox cake combines vibrant layers of blackberry jam (you can use store-bought or homemade) crunchy graham crackers, and sweet whipped cream are topped with salty pistachios for an added touch of nuttiness. If you’re feeling creative, drizzle honey over the top or lightly sprinkle some ground cardamom.

Peach Iced Tea Sorbet

Sweet tea and fresh peaches: the essence of Southern summers. This sorbet combines those two quintessential summer staples and serves them ice cold to beat the heat. For a quicker option, make the classic sweet tea and serve with sliced peaces on top for a refreshing beverage for your guests.

Chocolate Cherry Mousse

With cherry season peaking in mid-summer, these chocolate cherry mousse cups are a rich option to satisfy your sweet tooth, use fresh ingredients, and provide individually portioned decadent desserts for your gathering.

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