Summer Red, White And Blue Dessert Recipes Flavor 4th of July Fun at Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts

Red, white and blue foods on a 4th of July party table add fun flavor to our American holiday; plus they're easy! Nothing's cooler or healthier than a bowl of red strawberries and blueberries. Maybe you ate these for breakfast and want a tasty variation for a 4th of July dessert. Here are some cool, summer dessert recipes featuring fresh berries and colored in red, white and blue.

The first recipe is for fruit crisp. The recipe calls for red berries (raspberries or strawberries) tossed with  blueberries baked beneath a cream-colored topping. Because fruit crisps are so light they make a perfect summer dessert. This particular dessert recipe is prepared at the Port Washington Inn in Port Washington, Wisconsin. I found the recipe in the cookbook Morning Menus Inn Style. The cookbook is the result of efforts by the Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association to collect favorite recipes from Wisconsin's favorite bed and breakfasts. Each page of the book features a different bed and breakfast. Pictures of the inns with their descriptions and contact information accompany the inns' menus and two or three of each inn's best recipes. The book is a great resource for the Wisconsin traveler looking for relaxation and wonderful dining. Click on "Continue reading ..." for this fruit crisp recipe and more about 4th of July desserts.

Fruit Crisp

Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
• 1 cup sugar (Turbinado works well)
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup rolled oats

Topping can be prepared ahead and kept in freezer.

Process first three ingredients in food processor until lumps of butter are the size of peas. Add rolled oats and process briefly to combine.

Fruit Filling:

• 3 cups unsweetened frozen red raspberries (I used fresh strawberries)
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened frozen blueberries (I used fresh)

Combine raspberries (or strawberries) and blueberries. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup unbleached flour. Shake to distribute dry ingredients. Pour fruit mixture into pie plate. Top generously with topping.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 45 minutes to one hour or until topping is nicely browned and fruit is bubbling. Serve with creme fraiche or whole milk yogurt.

Makes on 10-inch deep pie plate.

A second option for a cool summer dessert with patriotic red white and blue foods was inspired by the Arbor Inn in Prescott, Wisconsin. The Morning Menus Inn Style cookbook gives the Arbor Inn's recipe for Strawberry Parfait which combines red strawberries with white vanilla ice cream. Here's their strawberry parfait recipe; follow it and you've got an extra-special, yummy mix of strawberries and ice cream. But to make their strawberry dessert a 4th of July holiday dessert, make the Prescott Inn's strawberry parfait and spoon 2-3 Tablespoons of it into a parfait glass, next drop in a large spoonful of white vanilla ice cream and then cover the ice cream with fresh blueberries. Repeat the layers until you've filled the parfait glass. Whipped cream can be a nice touch or over-do it. You decide. Whichever way, you will have created your own patriotic, red white and blue parfaits for your 4th of July party.

Here's the Arbor Inn's recipe for Strawberry Parfait:

• 1 can (6 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1 cup milk
• 1 package (10 ounce) frozen strawberries in syrup, partially thawed
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream -can use light or frozen yogurt
• Fresh strawberries (and blueberries) for garnish

In blender, place first four ingredients in order given. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses. Garnish with fresh strawberries (and blueberries) if desired. Place parfait glasses in freezer for one half hour for a frosted look before pouring parfait.

Of course, if your in a rush and want a easy, fast summer dessert for the 4th of July, just spoon red strawberries, blueberries, and white, freshly-whipped cream into a glass bowl. This cool summer dessert is just as pretty, and these delicious red white and blue foods add color and flavor to 4th of July fun.