39 Next-Level 4th of July Cakes To Bring To This Year's Party
We will always fight for our right to a good themed cake.
"The more dessert, the merrier" is basically written in our personal constitution, and we will always fight for our right to a good cake. What better time to bake one than 4th of July? These cakes come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors—red, white & blue, fruity, upside-down, icebox, and more—so gather up your favorite sparklers, sprinkles, and plenty of fruit for decorating!
The way we see it, there are a few ways to go for a 4th of July dessert—you can lean heavily into the flag theme, either with fresh fruits or food coloring, or go for something a bit more evergreen that you can rely on all summer long. If you're looking for a bright, super-impressive showstopper, look no further than our lemon-berry firecracker cake, our Napoleon cake, or our raspberry cheesecake.Want more of a subtle vibe? Our strawberry crunch poke cake, our no-bake whipped ricotta cheesecake, or our blueberry dump cake still represent those American colors, without too much work.
Not a big fan of patriotism, but still want a killer summer dessert? Try our upside-down pineapple cake or our peach cobbler cheesecake. And don't forget about ice cream cakes! The 4th of July is the perfect occasion to bust one out. Check out our July 4th ice cream cake, our copycat Dairy Queen ice cream cake, our strawberry shortcake ice cream cake, or our spumoni ice cream cake to see how versatile they can be, then have fun with whatever flavors you like.
While we are ALL about dessert, we know that you might also be looking for some inspiration for the main event too—check out our favorite 4th of July recipes, our top 4th of July appetizers, and all the best dishes to bring to a 4th of July picnic.
Napoleon Cake
Elegant in its simplicity, this creamy cool dessert is summer at its best. It's got layers and layers of flaky puff pastry and homemade vanilla pastry cream, covered with more pastry cream and puff pastry crumbs and decorated with fresh fruit. It might take a little more time than your average dessert, but it's SO worth it.
Get the Napoleon Cake recipe.
July 4th Flag Cake
Old Glory has never looked so delicious. We love this honey whipped cream frosting for its refreshing lightness, but you can't go wrong with a classic vanilla buttercream frosting before topping with all your favorite festive fruits.
Get the July 4th Flag Cake recipe.
Lemon-Berry Firecracker Cake
Nothing says Fourth of July quite like a patriotic red, white, & blue dessert, especially this eye-popping lemon-berry firecracker cake. For a blast of flavor, our spin on the classic firecracker cake upgrades itself from white cake to a tangy lemon batter with blueberry- and strawberry-flavored swirls.
Get the Lemon-Berry Firecracker Cake recipe.
Peach Cobbler Cheesecake
This peach cobbler cheesecake has everything you love about a classic cheesecake and a peach cobbler combined into one delicious dessert. 😍
Get the Peach Cobbler Cheesecake recipe.
Chantilly Cake
There are cakes, and then there’s Chantilly cake, an impressive dessert that marries the delicious simplicity of a classic yellow cake with the berries and cream combo that makes shortcakes shine. What’s even sweeter? The all-American dessert has a charming origin story that started in a grocery store bakery.
Get the Chantilly Cake recipe.
Raspberry Cheesecake
This creamy, decadent cheesecake is swirled with a raspberry sauce to create a show-stopping dessert that's sure to impress. Our favorite part? Rather than a standard graham cracker crust, this cheesecake base is made from super-buttery shortbread.
Get the Raspberry Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake
Here we start with a boxed cake mix, infuse it with strawberry flavor, top it with fluffy cream cheese frosting, then finish it off with a strawberry-and-cookie topping. It’s the perfect summer dessert.
Get the Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake recipe.
Blueberry Mousse Cake
When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade—make this fruity, white chocolate mousse cake instead. It's rich and SO creamy, but thanks to tart lemon and blueberries, it won't weigh your palate down.
Get the Blueberry Mousse Cake recipe.
White Chocolate Cake
A classic chocolate cake is always a good idea, but if you want to switch things up a bit, give this white chocolate cake a try. It's soft and layered with a white chocolate mousse and then frosted with a simple cream cheese frosting. Top with red and blue fruits to keep it patriotic if you like!
Get the White Chocolate Cake recipe.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
It may be retro, but this classic cake is a staple easy dessert for a reason. Sweet pineapple gets an irresistible rich boost from melted butter, brown sugar, and eye-catching maraschino cherries—one slice, and you'll feel transported to the tropical vacay of your dreams.
Get the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
Dairy Queen’s classic ice cream cake is king in the realm of frozen desserts, but our copycat recipe is coming for the crown. Starring that signature ribbon of fudge and chocolate cookie crunchies sandwiched between vanilla and chocolate ice cream, this homemade version of this iconic treat is equally easy to make and delicious to eat.
Raspberry Peach Upside-Down Cake
Our favorite thing about upside-down cakes? They're impossible to mess up because you can place your fruits just so before pouring the batter on. It's always a joy to see how they turn out once you flip them—they always impress. Just look at those raspberries and peaches!!
Pineapple Coconut Cake
This fluffy coconut cake is filled with an easy pineapple curd (like a tropical lemon curd!) and finished with a cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut flakes. We love the bigger, unsweetened flakes, but if you prefer sweetened coconut for the outside, it works just as well.
Get the Pineapple Coconut Cake recipe.
Strawberry Crunch Cake
Celebrate summer and the bounty of fresh strawberries with this strawberry shortcake-inspired layer cake. Get ready for some nostalgia too: This cake tastes just like your favorite ice cream bar.
Get the Strawberry Crunch Cake recipe.
Funfetti Cheesecake
Why choose just one dessert for your 4th of July celebration when you can have two classics in one? With the creaminess of cheesecake and the fluffiness of Funfetti birthday cake, this two-in-one treat has it all.
Get the Funfetti Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Cake
This cake has everything you love about the Good Humor strawberry shortcake bars, in a homemade ice cream cake that couldn't be easier. Pro tip: To get clean slices of the cake (we went with triangles, but squares work too), run a chef's knife under hot water before cutting each piece.
Coconut-Lime Layer Cake
Put the lime in the coconut and bake this stunning layer cake! One of the reasons this cake is SO fun to eat is that it’s not about blasting every component with all the lime and all the coconut flavor, but instead letting each part of the cake bring a little something to the party—it’s a flavor and texture adventure in every bite!
Get the Coconut-Lime Layer Cake recipe.
Strawberry Cheesecake
Our favorite recipe for the most classic of all cheesecakes. This jammy topping looks impressive, but comes together easily with strawberry preserves and lemon juice.
Get the Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.
No-Bake Whipped Ricotta Cheesecake
"No-bake" and "whipped" in the same recipe name as "cheesecake"? Sure! Trust us, the whipped ricotta and mascarpone combination lightened with whipped cream atop a Biscoff crust isn't traditional, but is still quite dreamy.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
Few things scream spring and summer more than the classic flavor combo of blueberry and lemon. The tart sweetness of the blueberries is amplified by the zing of the citrus. This three-layer masterpiece is sure to be a dessert table showstopper at your next barbecue, party, or potluck.
Get the Lemon Blueberry Cake recipe.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine. If wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
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