Food & Party Planning Ideas

Create Sparks This Fourth of July with Festive Desserts Your Family Will Love

The Fourth of July marks the peak of the summer season and what better way to celebrate our nation's independence than with an outdoor barbecue extravaganza. It has been a long-standing American tradition to pack a picnic or have an outdoor party to watch the fireworks. Impress your guests this summer with festive and flavorful foods and decorations.

Traditional foods served at a barbecue include ribs, chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill ñ sending those familiar summer aromas into the air. Use Wilton Singles! Star or Bell pan to give those burgers a patriotic shape. Also popular menu items are a variety of cold salads and corn on the cob. Gelatin or potato salad could be packed into a large star pan and then unmolded for serving to continue the party theme. But don't rush out to view the fireworks until you've had dessert!

"It's easy to forget about dessert with all of the activities surrounding the Fourth of July, but desserts can make the holiday even more fun and festive," says Nancy Siler, Manager of Consumer Affairs at Wilton Industries. "Be sure to make use of all of the colorful, fresh fruit readily available during the summer season, such as strawberries and blueberries for cake toppers."

Dessert ideas that are creative and fun can be prepared with Wilton's Star Pan. This patriotic pan takes any 2 layer cake mix and is so versatile that it can be used for just about any holiday. For a quick, yet spectacular look, decorate a layer cake using the patriotic cake stencil and colored sugars.

Another festive possibility for desserts includes Wilton's Singles! Pans in the flag design. This pan enables you to make individual cakes in the shape of a flag and each one can be decorated individually. Have the kids get involved in decorating. Your guests are sure to feel special when served their very own creatively decorated cake. For party favors, give guests decorated star candy or cookie lollipops made in the Wilton cookie treat pan or star shaped brownies or rice cereal treats made using the Cookies 'N More cookie cutters. See our Recipes & Ideas section for some great recipe ideas to make this Fourth of July end with a BANG!