Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbeques, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and more. Political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrate the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.
While you are with your friends and family on this holiday, here are some fun recipes to make that are safe for braces too!
Patriotic Cupcakes
Total Time: 39 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 24 minutes
Ingredients:
Yield: 18 cupcakes
Units: US | Metric
- 18 1/4 ounces white cake mix
- 1 cup water (or as indicated on cake mix directions)
- 1/3 cup oil (or as indicated on cake mix directions)
- 3 eggs (or as indicated on cake mix directions)
- 1/2 teaspoon blue food coloring
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
- 1 (16 ounce) can vanilla frosting
- red white and blue candy sprinkles
Directions:
- Prepare cake mix according to package directions.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 1/3 cups batter with blue food coloring. In another small bowl, combine red food coloring with 1 1/3 cups batter. Leave the remaining batter plain.
- Fill paper-lined muffin tins with 2 tablespoons red batter, 2 tablespoons plain batter, and 2 tablespoons blue batter. Do not swirl batter, leave it layered.
- Bake at 350ºF for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a cupcake comes out clean.
- Cool 10 minutes in pan and then remove cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frost with vanilla frosting and decorate with sprinkles.
Red, White and Blue Popsicles
Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 4 hours
Ingredients:
Servings: 6
Units: US | Metric
- 3 cups vanilla yogurt
- red food coloring
- white food coloring
- blue food coloring
- wax paper
- 6 sugar ice cream cones
- 6 wooden popsicle sticks
Directions:
- To make a half dozen pops, tint 1/2 cup of the yogurt with red food coloring and 1 1/2 cups with blue food coloring. Leave the rest plain.
- Make waxed paper cone liners by folding six 12-inch square sheets into triangles, wrapping each around a sugar cone, and using tape to hold the shape. Then place the paper cones inside the sugar cones.
- Fill each cone with 1 tablespoon red yogurt, followed by 2 tablespoons white yogurt, then 3 tablespoons blue yogurt. Insert a Popsicle stick and freeze the pops until firm, about 4 hours, using the cone box with six circles
Patriotic Drink (For kids too!)
Total Time: 10 mins
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
Servings: 1
Units: US | Metric
- 3 ounces cranberry juice or 3 ounces fruit punch
- 3 ounces Gatorade sports drink (blue)
- 3 ounces sugar free 7-Up or 3 ounces Sprite
- ice cube, fill glass to the top with cubes
Directions:
- Place the ice cubes in the bottom 3rd of a tall 12 ounce clear glass. Pour the cranberry juice or fruit punch in to fill the bottom 3rd.
- Place a few more cubes in to the middle and pour in the blue Gatorade to fill the glass 2/3 full.
- Place the final 3rd of ice in the glass. Pour in the diet 7up or diet Sprite.
- Serve and enjoy!
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