Nothing says summer quite like the smell of smoky barbecue drifting through the backyard while friends and family gather together for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. These all-American holidays are the perfect excuse to fire up the grill, bring out your favorite side dishes, and enjoy long sunny afternoons filled with good food and even better company.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, heading to a neighborhood block party, or planning a family picnic, these unforgettable BBQ recipes are guaranteed to impress your friends and keep everyone coming back for seconds.
The best summer BBQ recipes for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day
Smashed potato salad– This salad is a great mix of crispy smashed potatoes, with a creamy tangy dressing and crunchy herbs. It’s sure to become your new favorite way to eat potato salad and will be a hit at any bbq or summer cookout!
Watermelon salad – This recipe is Kate Middleton approved and perfect for those hot days of summer. Refreshing watermelon and cucumber is tossed with a light and tangy dressing and topped with salty feta and mint. I crave this salad all summer long and it’s super easy to whip up for a cookout or BBQ.
Deviled egg dip –who doesn’t love some deviled eggs? This recipe is a great summer appetizer and a healthy option too. Deviled eggs are transformed into a delicious and scoopable dip that can be served with veggies, crackers or chips.
Red White & Blue Candy Salad – this is one kind of “salad” that will go fast! And I love it because it is literally the easiest thing to prepare! No baking or cooking at all.
Boozy bomb pops – kick off your summer holiday with a bang with these fun bomb pop cocktails! I love to serve mine with tequila but they can easily be made into a mocktail version too to be kid friendly!
Root beer float bar – Set up a fun, make your own root beer float bar with all the ice cream and toppings. This is a festive idea for graduation parties, birthdays and cookouts! See my easy setup here.
Fireworks brownie sundaes –Red velvet cheesecake brownies are topped with homemade pop rocks fireworks ice cream that will truly be bursting with festivity! I love to serve these together but both are delicious on their own too!
Patriotic S’mores dip – nothing says summer like s’mores and this dip gives you all the flavors, no campfire required.
Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle – This is a great no bake dessert for summer. And you can simply add blueberries to keep with the red, white and blue theme. You can also serve in individual dessert cups too!
Here’s to a fun Americana summer!!!
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Red, white and blue candy salad is perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July or just if you’re channeling an All American summer!
When it comes to summer parties, there’s always a variety of salads but have you ever heard of a red, white and blue candy salad? This one will easily become everyone’s favorite!!!
This is the kind of salad the kids will for sure eat! All of the best red, white and blue gummy candies tossed in a bowl and topped with some pop rocks to make it reminiscent of the fireworks grand finale. Be sure to whip this up to take to your summer parties, BBQs, camping or out on the boat to celebrate a classic American summer. Sharing my recipe below and linking all the candy!!!
Red, White and Blue Candy Salad
Ingredients:
Sour patch kids
Air heads
Sweedish fish
Twizzler bites
Pop rocks
Directions:
1.) In a large bowl, mix the sour patch kids, air heads, Sweedish fish and twizzler bites.
2.) Sprinkle the top with red and blue pop rocks.
Serve with a large spoon and some small bowls for people to help themselves!
Sharing more of my favorite ideas to celebrate The U.S.A.
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
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
Fudgy red velvet brownies with a cheesecake swirl are topped with a fun red, white and blue homemade ice cream that pops in your mouth for a festive dessert for 4th of July, Memorial Day or Labor Day!The best part about this recipe is that everything can be easily prepped ahead of time so you can just serve and enjoy!
If you’re looking for a cute way to decorate your front door for the summer, this DIY Patriotic Door Basket is so simple and classic. I like to switch up from front door decor from time to time and change from my wreath to a door basket. The thing I like about the door basket, is that you can switch out your flowers as the seasons change. (For more door basket ideas, click here to see this spring and Easter door basket).
Patriotic Door Basket
You will need:
door basket (mine is sold out but scroll down to see a few I linked below)
