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4th of July is right around the corner and this Fireworks Ice Cream Brownie Sundae is a fantastic dessert to celebrate! Thick and fudgy red velvet brownies with a cheesecake swirl are topped with a festive ice cream that pops in your mouth. Scroll down for my recipe and more 4th of July ideas from my friends.
If you are coming over from my friend Donna at An Organized Season, welcome!!!! I loved all of her creative patriotic ideas! I hope you will stick around awhile and be sure to subscribe to the Our Tiny Nest Community!
Fireworks Ice Cream Brownie Sundae
For those of you who are local to Upstate New York, you probably agree with me that Stewart’s has the best ice cream around! In the summer, my boys love their fireworks ice cream, with the cherries and pop rocks so I decided to try making my own using my easy homemade no churn ice cream recipe.
This ice cream is perfect on it’s own served in a bowl or cone but I decided to serve it on top of my red velvet cheesecake brownies for a special patriotic treat! Everything can be easily made ahead of time so that you can just serve and enjoy your festivities!
Start by making the fireworks ice cream
For the ice cream:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- dash of salt
- 1/2 jar of maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 2 packs of red and blue pop rocks (linking them here)
Directions:
1.) In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks start to form.
2.) In a separate bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and salt
3.) Gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the heavy whipping cream until combined.
4.) Fold in the chopped cherries and pop rocks.
5.) Spoon into a loaf pan or pyrex container, cover and freeze.
Next prepare the Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
For the brownies:
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 6 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups of flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
For the cheesecake filling:
- 16 oz of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1.) Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2.) Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with non stick baking spray.
3.) Using a microwave safe bowl, combine the butter and chocolate and heat at 30 second intervals, stirring in between until it’s completely melted.
4.) Add the granulated, brown sugar and eggs and whisk until combined.
5.) Add the vanilla and red food coloring, whisking until combined.
6.) Next add the flour, cocoa, and salt, stirring until it is no longer lumpy and the color is perfectly red throughout.
7.) Scoop about 1 cup of batter and save for later. (You will use this to put on top).
8.) Spread the remaining batter into the baking pan.
9.) Prepare the cheesecake filling by creaming together the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl.
10.) Add in the flour and mix until well combined.
11.) Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract mixing well.
12.) Spread the cheesecake batter on top of the red velvet brownie batter.
13.) Dollop the reserved red velvet brownie batter on top.
14.) Using a clean toothpick, swirl the layers back and forth to create a marbled look.
15.) Bake the brownies for about 45 minutes, the top should be shiny, and the edges slightly golden. The center may be a tad jiggly but that’s ok.
16.) Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
To serve the Fireworks Ice Cream Brownie Sundaes
When ready to serve, I like to eat these red velvet cheesecake brownies chilled. They are so fudgy! Slice each brownie into squares and place on a plate or in a bowl. (I mean look how thick!!!)
Scoop the ice cream on top.
Add some sprinkles and enjoy!!!
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For more of my favorite Red, White and Blue recipes check out
This Patriotic S’mores Dip
Boozy Bomb Pop Cocktails
And this Patriotic Door Basket is a cute decor idea
Next head on over to Heidi from The Eleanor Rose Home for another delicious red, white and blue dessert!





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Fireworks Ice Cream Brownie Sundaes
Ingredients
For the ice cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- salt dash
- 1/2 jar maraschino cherries drained and chopped
- 2 packages pop rocks red and blue
For the Brownies
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 6 eggs
- 2 Tbsp red food coloring
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
For the cheesecake filling
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Start by preparing the ice cream ahead of time
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks start to form.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and salt
- Gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the heavy whipping cream until combined.
- Fold in the chopped cherries and pop rocks.
- Spoon into a loaf pan or pyrex container, cover and freeze.
Next prepare the red velvet cheesecake brownies
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with non stick baking spray.
- Using a microwave safe bowl, combine the butter and chocolate and heat at 30 second intervals, stirring in between until it’s completely melted.
- Add the granulated, brown sugar and eggs and whisk until combined.
- Add the vanilla and red food coloring, whisking until combined.
- Next add the flour, cocoa, and salt, stirring until it is no longer lumpy and the color is perfectly red throughout.
- Scoop about 1 cup of batter and save for later. (You will use this to put on top).
- Spread the remaining batter into the baking pan.
- Prepare the cheesecake filling by creaming together the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl.
- Add in the flour and mix until well combined.
- Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract mixing well.
- Spread the cheesecake batter on top of the red velvet brownie batter.
- Dollop the reserved red velvet brownie batter on top.
- Using a clean toothpick, swirl the layers back and forth to create a marbled look.
- Bake the brownies for about 45 minutes, the top should be shiny, and the edges slightly golden. The center may be a tad jiggly but that’s ok.
- Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
When ready to serve
- Slice each brownie into squares and place on a plate or in a bowl. Scoop some ice cream on top and add sprinkles! Enjoy!
More Patriotic Ideas With the Cozy Creative Collaborative

How to Modge Podge Seashells for Decor | Kelly of The Tattered Pew

Fireworks Ice Cream Brownie Sundae | Nicolle of Our Tiny Nest Blog

Dinnerware That’s Perfect for a Patriotic Tablescape | Charity of Mornings on Macedonia

Star Shaped 4th of July Rice Krispie Treat Recipe | Heidi of Eleanor Rose Home

Last Minute Simple Patriotic Ideas for the 4th of July | Donna of An Organized Season
33 Comments
Karen, the next best thing to mummy
June 26, 2023 at 5:48 amThis looks great #ssp267
Nicolle
June 26, 2023 at 5:54 amHi Karen! Thank you so much!!!! It’s definitely decadent!
Anne Sweet
June 26, 2023 at 7:12 amoh my Goodness, we don’t celebrate 4th July over here but I’d love to give this a try!
Donna
June 26, 2023 at 9:48 amWow! Nicolle this looks amazing! I have never heard of adding pop rocks to ice cream! What a fun and festive idea that’s perfect for the 4th of July! That red velvet brownie looks so delicious by itself but the addition of the ice cream takes it over the top!! I hope you and your family enjoy the holiday!!
Nicolle
June 27, 2023 at 6:40 amThank you Donna! I have a weakness for anything red velvet! I hope your family has a fantastic 4th of July!!!
Heidi
June 26, 2023 at 10:37 amOH MY GOSH this looks incredible Nicolle! I think I could eat this every single day…such a great recipe! Happy 4th of July!!!
Nicolle
June 27, 2023 at 6:40 amGirlfriend in the summer, I DO eat ice cream every single day lol 🙂
Wendy McMonigle
June 26, 2023 at 12:59 pmYum yum!!! I can’t wait to try this.
Nicolle
June 27, 2023 at 6:42 amYou will love it Wendy!!!
Renae Frey
June 26, 2023 at 1:23 pmYum! This sounds delicious!
Nicolle
June 27, 2023 at 6:43 amThank you Renae!!!! I love a good dessert!
KEVIN FOODIE
June 26, 2023 at 8:06 pmThis is a very interesting recipe, Nicolle. I am not a fan of brownies, but I am definitely digging your brownies. The pop rocks are a creative twist to your ice cream recipe and I love it. It would be interesting to taste and experience the texture. Thanks for sharing your recipe, Nicolle.
Kelly Radcliff
June 27, 2023 at 11:12 amOk I was sold at the ice cream part and then the pop rocks sucked me right in! Such a fun sundae recipe, I know my kids would LVOE this!!!!
Kelleyn
June 27, 2023 at 10:28 pmMy kids would love this! Thanks for the idea!
Veronica Lee
June 27, 2023 at 11:24 pmThis looks amazing!
Yummmm! 😋
Lois Flowers
June 28, 2023 at 7:44 amSuch a pretty dessert, Nicolle! Looks delicious too. 🙂
A. H.
June 28, 2023 at 8:28 amYum!! Can’t wait to try! Looks so delicious and refreshing!
Food nutters
June 29, 2023 at 9:48 amNow these look totally amazing! I’m quite sure kids will go crazy about these.
image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup
June 29, 2023 at 3:59 pmOh my goodness this looks amazing! I’m drooling!
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/06/it-has-begun.html
Charity
June 29, 2023 at 7:56 pmUm Yum!!!! I need to make this for sure! It looks so delicious and festive!
Nicolle
June 30, 2023 at 6:49 amThank you Charity! Hope you have a great 4th!
Penny Struebig
June 30, 2023 at 7:14 amYum! This looks delicious! Thanks for linking up to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Keto Recipe Ideas
June 30, 2023 at 7:21 amWOW! That looks amazing and the perfect treat to enjoy on July 4th! Sim x Hopping over from Create, Bake, Grow and Gather
Barbara at Mantel and Table
June 30, 2023 at 12:45 pmGreat recipes Nicolle! I love the sound of that ice cream – I haven’t thought of Pop Rocks in years! 😊 Thanks for the easy instructions, and happy celebrating!
Paula Short
July 1, 2023 at 8:58 amNicole, this sounds fantastic! I didn’t know that pop rocks were still around.
Thank you so very much for sharing this recipe with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
July 1, 2023 at 1:46 pmThose brownies topped with ice-cream look amazing. I’ve never tried making home-made ice-cream – will have to give it a try. #WotW
Linda Primmer
July 2, 2023 at 9:35 amlooks so cute plus a yummy dessert perfect for the 4th. I am happy to feature your fireworks Ice Cream Brownie Sundae at Love Your Creativity.
Nicolle
July 2, 2023 at 11:22 amawwww thank you so much Linda!!!
sherry
July 3, 2023 at 3:49 amThis certainly sounds extremely delicious! and looks good too.
Cara
July 3, 2023 at 9:59 amOh my goodness Nicolle, sounds and looks delicious! This may send my sweet tooth into overdrive, but totally worth it!
Jennifer Wise
July 3, 2023 at 10:43 amWhat a great recipe! This looks amazing! I really like the cream cheese flavor and the maraschino flavor. Pinning, for sure. 🙂 Visiting from Thinking Out Loud.
Janine
July 4, 2023 at 3:15 pmYUM! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful looking treat! Love your decorating, too.
chickenruby
July 9, 2023 at 9:20 amThat looks really yummy and I love the decorations.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo