• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

DessArts logo

  • About
    • About
    • Disclosures and Disclaimers
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Tutorials
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Tutorials
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Roundups

    4th of July Dessert Buffet Ideas

    Jul 5, 2011 · 33 Comments

    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.

    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?

    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.

    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! 

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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).

    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.

    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!

    Want to remember this post for the next Fourth of July? Pin it now so it's saved for later!

    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    More Roundups

    • 10 Memorial Day Recipes
    • 10 Amazing Dessert Pie Recipes
    • 9 Healthy Desserts You Can Indulge In
    • Summer Recipe Roundup

    Did you make one of our recipes? Be sure to leave us a review or comment below. 

    This post may contain affiliate links, to find out more information, please read my disclaimer.

    GET NEW RECIPES SENT TO YOUR INBOX!

    Signup to join my FREE newsletter for recipes, tips and more.

    Privacy Policy

    We don't send you spam. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica says

      July 07, 2011 at 6:55 pm

      Hi! The American Flag cake looks great! I was hoping to get the recipe. Best, Jessica.

      Reply
    2. AJ says

      July 08, 2011 at 5:13 pm

      It would be great to have this recipe!

      Reply
    3. Audra@The-Baker-Chick says

      July 10, 2011 at 11:53 am

      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 :)

      Reply
    4. Emma Lindström says

      July 10, 2011 at 12:02 pm

      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 :)

      Reply
      • Dessarts says

        July 13, 2011 at 12:17 pm

        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.

    5. Desiree Bendele says

      July 12, 2011 at 12:42 pm

      The American Flag cake looks AMAZING! Would you mind to email me the recipe?!

      Reply
    6. Melissa Salazar says

      January 22, 2012 at 1:01 pm

      Can you provide me with the recipe for the brownies you made on the American Dessert Buffet? They look very good. Thank you.

      Reply
    7. Tami says

      May 16, 2012 at 10:20 pm

      The flag cake looks fantastic. I would love the recipe, if you would be kind enough to share. Thanks so much.

      Reply
    8. Megan says

      May 17, 2012 at 8:38 pm

      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?

      Reply
    9. Trisha Owens says

      May 27, 2012 at 3:29 pm

      Please if you would, could you email me the recipe for the hidden flag cake.
      Thank you so much.

      Reply
    10. Marti says

      May 27, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      Hi, would love to get the recipe for the Hidden Flag Cake.... looks yummy and fun!

      Reply
    11. andrea says

      May 27, 2012 at 10:16 pm

      i would love to have the flag cake recipe!!

      Reply
    12. melissa says

      May 27, 2012 at 10:28 pm

      Great idea... Please send recipe and steps... Thanks:) Hidden flag cake

      Reply
    13. Jenn says

      May 27, 2012 at 11:09 pm

      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!!!

      Reply
    14. Rick says

      May 28, 2012 at 11:34 am

      Can you send the recipes? Thank you.

      Reply
    15. Sylvia says

      May 28, 2012 at 12:27 pm

      I love would to have the recipe for this cake! It looks absolutely divine.

      Reply
    16. Brenda Winans says

      May 28, 2012 at 1:04 pm

      Please! Please!! May I please have the recipe and directions for Uncle Sam's Hidden flag cake!!!

      Reply
    17. Terri Helmick says

      May 28, 2012 at 4:50 pm

      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!

      Reply
    18. Darren says

      May 30, 2012 at 6:57 pm

      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!

      Reply
    19. amanda says

      June 06, 2012 at 8:53 am

      i would like to get the flag cake recipe plz.

      Reply
    20. Cheryl says

      June 09, 2012 at 9:26 pm

      Could you please send me the recipe for the flag cake...that is so awesome....Thank You Cheryl

      Reply
    21. Deanna Dennis says

      June 11, 2012 at 12:42 am

      Could you send me the recipe and instructions on how to make this cake? Thank you!

      Reply
    22. Dessarts says

      June 14, 2012 at 9:12 am

      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.

      Reply
    23. Molly says

      June 23, 2012 at 10:05 am

      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.

      Reply
    24. Kathy says

      July 27, 2012 at 2:24 am

      Would love the mini cheese cake recipe if possible. Thanks!

      Reply
    25. jing says

      October 07, 2012 at 4:30 am

      hi, id love to have the mini cheesecake recipe! thank youu

      Reply
    26. Deborah says

      February 08, 2014 at 6:43 am

      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!)

      Reply
    27. Laura Castillo says

      July 06, 2014 at 9:30 am

      Hi I liked your flag cake would you mind sharing it with me? Thanks Laura.

      Reply
    28. connie says

      July 02, 2015 at 12:24 pm

      I would love to have the mini cheesecake recipe. thanks!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    MORE from dessarts

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipes

    Copyright © 2025 · Cravings Pro