You don’t need loud fireworks and big parties to celebrate the Fourth of July. In fact, there are many ways you can spend a low-key holiday with family and still show of your national pride. One way is to head to the kitchen with your kids and whip up the following red, white and blue treats:
SIMPLE STRAWBERRY TORTE
Ingredients:
3 cups crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter, melted
2 packages (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 container (12 ounces) Cool Whip
8 cups fresh sliced strawberries
Fresh mint sprigs
1 cup cold water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 small box strawberry Jell-O
1 cup corn syrup
Few drops of red food coloring
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Fresh mint sprigs
Directions:
Mix together pretzels, sugar and butter in a bowl.
Press pretzel mixture into a 9-inch by 13-inch pan.
In another bowl use a mixer to beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar.
Mix in whipped topping.
Spread mixture carefully over pretzel crust, cover and refrigerate.
In a sauce pan combine water, cornstarch, Jell-O and corn syrup in that order.
Stir until dissolved.
Cook until mixture boils and thickens.
Add food coloring and lemon juice.
Set aside to cool a bit.
In a large bowl gently stir berries together with Jell-O glaze.
Spread strawberries on top of cream cheese mixture.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cut in squares and top with fresh mint before serving.
AMERICAN EAGLE COOKIES
Ingredients:
One package of Oreos
1/2 cup white chocolate
One dozen large marshmallows
One cup of finely shredded coconut
12 cashews
Blue decorator’s gel
Directions:
Melt the white chocolate and place it in a small shallow dish. Allow it to cool slightly, but not solidify.
Evenly spread shredded coconut on waxed paper.
Coat each of the marshmallows in white chocolate and then roll them in the coconut flakes on three sides. Leave the bottom of the marshmallow covered in white chocolate only.
Place the marshmallow with the white chocolate side down on the Oreo.
Let it sit for a bit so the two can adhere to each other.
Make a small hole in one side of the marshmallow. Insert the end of a cashew into the hole to make the eagle’s beak.
Use the blue decorator’s gel to add eyes to the eagle.
Allow to set before serving.
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