One of my favorite holidays is just around the corner. I love the 4^th of July! Independence Day is one of my family’s favorite holidays – the fireworks, the food, the parades, the camping, the picnics – there are so many fun things to do. We even have a family birthday on the 4^th of July – so much fun! We always pack as much fun as we can into the holiday. We always seem to be going to at least one picnic or party and we always bring something yummy to eat. We have some favorite 4^th of July recipes that we seem to use every year.

4^th of July recipes vary from family to family. Some families are all barbeque and others are all sandwiches and chip – no matter what it is, the 4^th of July is a holiday where food is part of the fun. No matter which kind of 4^th of July recipes you are using, I bet most of you are looking for a recipe for a treat! The first of the 4^th of July recipes below is one of my family’s very favorite recipes. We have this treat on lots of occasions and take it to lots of picnics and parties. The second is simple but super cute and it looks great on the table. If you are still looking through your 4^th of July recipes for a dessert to make – try one of these! If you try it, let us know how you liked it. We love to hear from you!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Makes 16 servings

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar
2 8 ounce packages cream cheese
1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 6 ounce package strawberry flavored Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
1 16 ounce package frozen strawberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.
3. In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over the cooled crust.
4. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
5. In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water.
6. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed.
7. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until completely chilled, usually at least 1 hour.

Red, White and Blue Shortcake

Makes 1 9×13-inch cake

Ingredients:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pint blueberries, rinsed and drained
2 pints fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced

Directions:
1. Prepare cake according to package directions and bake in a 9×13 inch pan. Cool completely.
2. Frost cake with whipped topping. Place blueberries in a square in the corner, and arrange sliced strawberries as stripes to make an American flag.
3. Chill until served.