Celebrate the States this fourth of July with a states themed dessert buffet. Read on for the best 4th of July dessert ideas plus a surprise flag cake for Uncle Sam’s Birthday.
Last week was a busy one of planning and prepping a 4th of July dessert buffet for our annual fireworks viewing party. I truly admire the great bloggers out there that posted a 4th of July dessert idea for their readers everyday last week.
While it would have been nice to post my ideas before the holiday, it’s much easier to capture my dessert buffet in the moment. So, you will just have to file away the ideas for next year.
Last year’s dessert buffet was designed around the idea of desserts that really said “America” to me. You can see my mini apple pies, Boston cream pies, brownies, and red velvet cupcakes on my post, American Dessert Buffet.
This year, I went with the theme of “States” and made a birthday cake for Uncle Sam too. So what exactly was on the menu?
New York Style Cheesecakes
A New York cheesecake by definition is plain and simple- no fancy ingredients or toppings. Yes, I did use some toppings. You see, I have a serious problem with cheesecakes of all sizes- they almost always crack and/or sink. So, until I learn how to repair a cracked cheesecake, my cheesecakes will have toppings! 
Kentucky Bourbon Balls
If you like bourbon and your looking for an easy boozy dessert treat, this one is for you. I first found and used the recipe from Joy of Baking. These confections are made of mostly of ground nuts, sugar, a generous amount of bourbon.
You garnish the outside with whatever you want. Mine are coated with milk chocolate or rolled in powdered sugar. The nice thing about them is that they involve no baking and you can make them days in advance.
Mississippi Mud Cakes
There are so many versions of Mississippi mud pies and cakes out there. The name originally comes from a cake that resembles the muddy banks of the Mississippi river.
So as long as its rich in chocolate and gooey, I suppose it qualifies. Topped with pecans and glazed with bittersweet chocolate, these were the perfect gooey cakes for any chocolate lover.
Vermont Cheddar and Wisconsin Goat
These were not part of the dessert buffet but I’m including my cheese board since we picked out some cheeses to go with the state theme. I have to say it was tempting to pick up some manchego and brie but I’m glad I didn’t. The Cabot sharp cheddar from Vermont and Montchevré herb and garlic goat from Wisconsin were both really good.
Uncle Sam’s Birthday Cake
I normally don’t leave my cakes so boring looking on the outside. But it gave people something to talk about and left them with wondering what was on the inside. That makes cutting it open much more exciting.
If you are regular reader of food blogs, you’ve probably seen flag sheet cakes and even this hidden flag cake idea. I’ve never attempting anything like this before so I thought I’d give it a try. It was surprisingly easy!
The red stripes were all baked individually in nine inch cake pans. I have three and just reused them to make 7 cakes. The white stripes are layers of buttercream frosting. The blue is a six inch round cake trimmed down to four and a half inches. I baked everything the night before and froze the layers (separated with parchment).
Freezing makes it easier to work with since they are so thin. You use the blue cake to size a hole to cut in the center of four of the red cakes. Then stack the cakes with buttercream and drop the blue cake into hole. Cover with buttercream and that’s it! For more details see my post How to Make a Hidden Flag Cake.
I have not included recipes in this post because it is already a very long post. However, if you would like recipes or more details on any of the above, please feel free to contact me by email. I’m always happy to share. Happy Birthday America!
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Jessica says
Hi! The American Flag cake looks great! I was hoping to get the recipe. Best, Jessica.
AJ says
It would be great to have this recipe!
[email protected] says
This is so wonderful and clever! I love that cake- how gorgeous! Do you use a water bath when you make cheesecake? That and slow cooling have worked well to prevent cracks :)
Emma Lindström says
To prevent cheescakes to crack you should leave the cakes in the owen when you have turnd it off and leave the owendoor open. When the owen is cold you can take it out.
I would love the recipe on those also, if its okey :)
Dessarts says
Thanks for the tips Emma. I tried to email you the recipe but it came back to me. If you send me an email I will resend it to you.
Desiree Bendele says
The American Flag cake looks AMAZING! Would you mind to email me the recipe?!
Melissa Salazar says
Can you provide me with the recipe for the brownies you made on the American Dessert Buffet? They look very good. Thank you.
Tami says
The flag cake looks fantastic. I would love the recipe, if you would be kind enough to share. Thanks so much.
Megan says
I love the flag cake. that is the most amazing thing I’ve seen today. Do you mind if you could shoot me over the recipe and the steps on how you made this cake?
Trisha Owens says
Please if you would, could you email me the recipe for the hidden flag cake.
Thank you so much.
Marti says
Hi, would love to get the recipe for the Hidden Flag Cake…. looks yummy and fun!
andrea says
i would love to have the flag cake recipe!!
melissa says
Great idea… Please send recipe and steps… Thanks:) Hidden flag cake
Jenn says
Hi!! I absolutely love the hidden flag cake. I’ve seen other kinds like a sheet cake but I like this one the best! Would you mind emailing me the recipe and steps? I’m all about making cool and different desserts! Thanks!!!
Rick says
Can you send the recipes? Thank you.
Sylvia says
I love would to have the recipe for this cake! It looks absolutely divine.
Brenda Winans says
Please! Please!! May I please have the recipe and directions for Uncle Sam’s Hidden flag cake!!!
Terri Helmick says
I saw this cake and have been googling looking for the recipe. I’ve noticed there are two ways to make the flag cake. I’d love the recipe! I can’t wait to make it!
Darren says
Hello, your cake looks amazing. I’ve been asked to make something similar for the 4th of July and would appreciate the recipe. Thanks very much!
amanda says
i would like to get the flag cake recipe plz.
Cheryl says
Could you please send me the recipe for the flag cake…that is so awesome….Thank You Cheryl
Deanna Dennis says
Could you send me the recipe and instructions on how to make this cake? Thank you!
Dessarts says
Thanks for the compliments everyone! Since the flag cake has been requested so many times, I will be posting instructions in the early part of next week. Please check back.
Molly says
I ADORE the cheesecakes and hidden flag cake! What pan did you use for the cheesecakes? Also do you just place the fruit on top of them or do you use something to adhere it? And if possible could you send me the recipie please, thank you.
Kathy says
Would love the mini cheese cake recipe if possible. Thanks!
jing says
hi, id love to have the mini cheesecake recipe! thank youu
Deborah says
You asked for ideas to help prevent your cheesecakes cracking or sinking. I’ve had that problem too and was advised to let them cool completely in the oven before removing them. I tried it and it worked for me, although I still love toppings on my cheesecakes! (I’m just greedy!)
Laura Castillo says
Hi I liked your flag cake would you mind sharing it with me? Thanks Laura.
connie says
I would love to have the mini cheesecake recipe. thanks!