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The 4th of July will look a lot different this year: no big parties, gatherings for fireworks or parades. Just because many of our typical 4th of July traditions will be cancelled, it doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a day of celebrating our country with our family (and maybe even some social distancing with friends!). 4th of July has always been a favorite holiday for me. Two of my favorites when it comes to celebrating the 4th: red, white & blue themed recipes and patriotic outfits. A few moms and I teamed up to share our favorite summer outfits for kids from The Bella Bean along with some easy patriotic recipes.

We’re excited to also host a Bella Bean giveaway over on Instagram. Click here to visit the post to enter: Bella Bean Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive $100 to shop Bella Bean along with some American Flag sunglasses for kids and a patriotic book.

3 Easy Patriotic Recipes

1. Patriotic Graham Cracker Ice Cream Sandwiches by Courtney @thechirpingmoms

Ingredients:

– Vanilla ice cream

– Graham crackers

– Star sprinkles (or any red, white & blue sprinkles)

Instructions:

Start by breaking the graham crackers in half so you have all squares. While you are doing that, let your vanilla ice cream sit out and soften a little. Scoop ice cream onto a graham cracker square. Gently press another graham cracker on top to make an ice cream sandwich. Cover all 4 sides of the sandwich with star sprinkles. Put back into the freezer to let the ice cream harden and the sprinkles really stick. Enjoy!

2. Patriotic Popsicles by Casey @homeandhallow

Ingredients:

– 1 cup strawberries

– 1 cup blueberries

– 1 cup vanilla yogurt

– 2 tablespoons sugar (optional; add 1-2 tablespoons each to the strawberries and blueberries for desired sweetness)

– water

Instructions:

1. Using a small food processor or blender, puree the blueberries (and optional sugar) until smooth. (You can add a few drops of blue food coloring if your blueberry puree looks purple). Add water, a few tablespoons at at time, and stir until the consistency of the blueberry mixture is thin enough to easily pour.

2. Pour thinned blueberry puree into the bottom third of each popsicle mold. Freeze for at least twenty minutes (or until layer is solid) before adding the next layer to prevent the layers from mixing together.

3. Put vanilla yogurt in a small bowl and add water a few tablespoons at time. Add enough water to thin the yogurt to a consistency that it easily pours. Stir until well combined.

4. Pour the thinned yogurt mixture into the middle third of the popsicle molds.

5. Insert popsicle sticks into each popsicle mold and freeze for at least twenty minutes before adding the next layer.

6. Puree the strawberries (and optional sugar) until smooth. Add enough water until the consistency of the strawberry mixture is thin enough to easily pour.

7. Fill the last third of the popsicle molds with the strawberry mixture.

8. Freeze overnight or until completely frozen solid.

To remove popsicles from mold: Fill a large bowl with warm (not hot) water. Immerse the mold just up to the lip in the warm water. Hold for 5-10 seconds, remove, and try to pull the popsicles out. If they don’t easily slide out, immerse again and repeat as needed.

3. Star Shaped Rice Krispee Treat Wands by Lauren @laur_diamantes

Do you have a favorite festive treat you grew up loving? The one thing that reminded you of a holiday and hold many memories. I remember my mom always making rice krispee treats and changing the shape or sprinkles to coordinate with the holiday. It’s a super easy treat that can’t be messed up and your children will love to make them with you, be prepared for some sticky fingers though.

5 minute rice krispee treats
Ingredients:
1 stick of unsalted butter
16oz mini marshmallow bag
8 cups of rice krispee cereal
Nonstick spray
9×13 baking pan (we use glass pyrex)
Nonstick spatula
Wax paper
Decorative sprinkles

Instructions:
Grease baking dish/pan
Measure out 8 cups of rice krispee cereal and set aside in a bowl
Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl
Add marshmallows to melted butter bowl, microwave for 1 minute
Stir mixture then microwave for 30 seconds
Stir mixture then pour onto rice krispees
Coat all cereal in bowl then pour into pan
Add sprinkles on top then press down with wax paper into pan to shape
Refrigerate for an hour

To make a star:
Add a shape to rice krispees
Take out of refrigerator after an hour
Push cookie cuter shape into the pan

To make into a wand
Add a wooden dowel and ribbon
Dowels are from Target
Ribbon is all satin and from Target as well
Cut into different lengths and widths for dimension
Fold over bottom of ribbon, cut diagonal up for a pretty look
Tie ribbon around dowel
Stick in dowel
Wah-la a magical edible wand