my top // necklace // white jeans

It turns out that the 4th of July is next week. Crazy town. This holiday has to be one of my favorites as it’s during the best month of the year [yes, I’m one of those biased July babies] but also because of all of the red, white and blue, the festive treats, the laid back vibe the holiday brings with it and every single other thing that encompasses this day. Recently, my girls and I went to town in the kitchen to put together our own little 4th of July party complete with festive treats, fun little decor and more. For those of you either hosting or responsible for taking a dish to share to your parties this weekend and next, we’ve got you covered. Let’s jump in because we have a lot to cover.

First up, food…because obviously. When it comes to hosting, finger foods are where it’s at. Mostly because this means no dishes for you, but also because it means multiple servings for them. Hands down the best finger food on the planet in my own personal opinion…Rice Krispies treats. But not just any Rice Krispies treats…special star-shaped red, white and blue Rice Krispies treats. Here’s what you need…

Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies

Ingredients: 

• 1 ½ T Butter, divided + more for greasing pan
• 3 T Peanut Butter, divided
• 1 package large Marshmallows, divided
• 4-5 drops each, Red and Blue Food Coloring
• 6 C Rice Krispies, divided
• 1 C Red, White, and Blue M&Ms
• Star shaped cookie cutter (optional)

How to make: 

1 – Grease 8 x 11.5 glass baking dish with butter. Set aside. (If you do not have this size, use 9 x 13 dish, pushing layers to one side for desired thickness)

2 – White layer: Microwave in large glass bowl, stirring every 30 seconds: ½ T butter, 1 T peanut butter, 13 large marshmallows. Once melted, stir in 2 C Rice Krispies. Set aside to cool slightly.

3 – Blue Layer: Microwave in large glass bowl, stirring every 30 seconds: ½ T butter, 1 T peanut butter, 13 large marshmallows. Once melted, stir in 4-5 drops blue food coloring. Stir in 2 C Rice Krispies. Press firmly into pre-prepared pan.

4 – White Layer: Once slightly cooled, stir in 1 cup Red, White and Blue M&Ms. Press firmly into the pan on top of the blue layer.

5 – Red Layer: Microwave in large glass bowl, stirring every 30 seconds: ½ T butter, 1 T peanut butter, 13 large marshmallows. Once melted, stir in 4-5 drops red food coloring. Stir in 2 C Rice Krispies. Press firmly into the pan on top of white layer. Let cool until set up, 15-20 minutes.

6 – Slice and enjoy! OR Flip Treats out onto the cookie sheet, cut with star cookie cutter, molding with hands to correct shape, if necessary.

They are every bit of amazing as what they appear. The next question we asked ourselves, however, was “why stop at Rice Krispies when cupcakes were invented?!” And so we didn’t stop. We kept going. And the mastermind chef of the group, Steph, came up with this oh so fun and oh so festive Fireworks Cupcakes. Here’s what you’ll need for those…

Fireworks Cupcakes

• 1 Box of your favorite White Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist) + Ingredients to follow directions on box
• 1 3oz box desired flavor of blue Jello (I used Blue Raspberry)
• 1 3oz box desired flavor of red Jello (I used Strawberry)
• 2 C boiling water, divided
• 1 C cold water, divided
• Parchment Paper
• Blue Candy Melts
• Red Candy Melts
• 2 sandwich size plastic zipper bags

Frosting: 

• 1 3.5oz package White Chocolate Pudding Mix (you may use vanilla, but your color will be slightly yellowed)
• ½ C Milk
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 8oz tub Cool Whip, thawed
• 2 packages red Pop Rocks

1 – Prepare cupcakes, following box directions on your favorite white cake mix. With this recipe, use foil liners for best results. Cool cupcakes for 15 minutes.

2 – Once cupcake has cooled, move cupcakes to rack on top of the cookie sheet (to catch Jello drips). Use a fork to poke 3 sets of holes in each cupcake. Mix 1 C boiling water with 1 3oz box blue Jello. Once dissolved, stir in ½ C cold water. Carefully drizzle blue Jello mixture on top of cupcakes, concentrating on holes you have created. You may not use all of the Jello mix. Refrigerate pans of cupcakes for 15 minutes.

3 – Use a fork to poke 3 new sets of holes in each cupcake, alternating blue holes. Mix 1 C boiling water with 1 3oz box red Jello. Once dissolved, stir in ½ C cold water. Carefully drizzle red Jello mixture on top of cupcakes, concentrating on new holes you have created. You may not use all of the Jello mix. Refrigerate until completely cooled.

4 – Lay out a sheet of Parchment paper. Melt blue candy melts in a glass dish, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted. Pour into plastic zipper bag, cut a small tip into one of the bottom corners. Pipe desired fireworks pattern unto Parchment.

5 – Melt red candy melts in a glass dish, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted. Pour into a plastic zipper bag, cut a small tip into one of the bottom corners. Pipe on top of the blue design to completed desired fireworks pattern. Let fireworks rest on Parchment until set. This will only take approximately 10 minutes. You make refrigerate to speed setting if desired.

6 – For frosting: Mix 1 3.5oz White Chocolate Pudding mix, ½ C milk, and 1 t vanilla until smooth. Gently stir in 1 8oz tub thawed Cool Whip. Frosting must be refrigerated.

7 – Set cupcakes, still in foil liners, into red and blue liners on serving dish. Frost cupcakes using desired method. Carefully remove fireworks from Parchment and insert into each cupcake.

8 – Sprinkle cupcakes with red Pop Rocks just before serving.These cupcakes must be stored in the refrigerator, suggested serving indoors.

Because it’s good to mix a little sweet with salty, we turned to Sprinkled Co to get the job done. I am not sure if you have ever heard of this company but oh.my.word – four words – peanut butter chocolate popcorn. All of their flavors of gourmet popcorn are incredible but yeah, that one hit a high note with my personal tastebuds. We included a few different flavors of their amazing kernels along with their chocolate covered pretzels, appropriately adorned in red, white and blue sprinkles for a little bit of salt to go with our sugar. You can get your hands on this fun 4th of July package here!

To dress up the popcorn, Becca made these adorable popcorn holders that you simply print and then roll up and tape! See below for the links to download the files!

snack holder front // snack holder backAnother fun printable she came up with were these sparkler holders! Just print, cut and in your sparklers go! Such a fun party piece – download here. Once you have those treats made, sparklers lit and proper party attire on – you are ready to enjoy! champagne tank // sparkler tee

And there we have it – you are ready to roll for all of your 4th festivities! What are you doing to celebrate this year?

If you are still in need of some 4th of July wardrobe inspiration, here are some of our favorites below!