July 4th party ideas: Easy red, white and blue recipes

I'm okay with the fact that most holidays involve a lot of cooking, but a party on the 4th of July should be easy and laid-back, summer style. Put out some sparklers, throw food on the grill, make lemonade—and maybe a pitcher of one of these skinny summer cocktails—and throw together one of these festive red, white and blue recipes. Then sit back and watch the fireworks--and I don't mean the explosions coming from your kids.   Since I've already mentioned cocktails, why not start by serving up just one more. These Red, White, and Blue(berry) Margaritas  from Gimme Some Oven look gorgeous and sound delicious. I also like that you can easily make them non-alcoholic.   If ever there was an event where lots of snacks are in order, it's an Independence Day party. This 4th of July Snack Mix  from Glorious Treats is the perfect, easy treat to put on your table between the potato and tortilla chips.   The most important idea of all July 4th party ideas is ice cream. Of course. But you probably knew that already. What you may not have known, though, is to serve them up in these fun Patriotic Cones  from The Pretty Bee. Just 30 minutes of prep will make your ice cream cones a delicious surprise.   I've always been intrigued by the idea of making an American Flag Cake like this one from Food52 which mirrors the rainbow layer cakes that are so popular these days. But, uh, I promised easy ideas. (Calling all the bakers in the house: the recipes actually looks easy if you've got moderate skill and lots of interest. However the rest of us are moving on now.)   Easy is where these Strawberry Cream Cheese Flag Cookie Cups from Modern Parents Messy Kids come in. If you've got 30 minutes to spare to whip up a dessert, pick up some sugar cookie dough, make some cream cheese frosting and add some sliced fruit, and you're in the flag business.   Last, but never least, are popsicles. So easy to make, so many ways. And while those bomb pops off the ice cream truck may be what we remember from our own childhoods, I think these Red, White and Blueberry Yogurt Popsicles from The View From Great Island are the perfect updated version for a July 4th party. Especially one where ice cream trucks are scarce but appetite for dessert is just as big as ever. For more great ideas, visit our post on Easy Fourth of July recipes from drinks to desserts.