I really enjoyed the last 2 1/2 weeks watching the Paris Summer Olympics with my family.

We all especially liked the gymnastics and trampoline teams and we have mixed feelings about the addition of break dancing this year! 

So proud of all the USA teams for their determination and drive!

Go Team USA!

This patriotic dessert board features fresh fruit, creamy dip, sweet cheese, and red, white, and blue treats. It was inspired by Team USA and perfect for enjoying while you watch the Olympics recaps and ceremonies this summer.

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Team USA Olympics Dessert Board

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup strawberries halved
• 1/3-1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 cup dessert dip
• patriotic colored snacks like truffles, marshmallows, coated pretzels, cookies, wafer rolls
• 2-4 mini brie circles
• 4 cheesecake fruit tarts
• 1 mini blue moon pie
• 1/2 cup crackers or cookies for dip
• 1 chocolate gold #1 medal

Instructions

• Add the gold medal in the center.
• Place the bowl of dessert dip on the tray then add and arrange fruit and treats around.
• Fill in all open spaces with ingredients then serve immediately.

I started with a large round gold platter. I placed a gold #1 medal and ribbon in the center. I used a chocolate medal but you can also just use a plastic one.

I found this world flag lanyard too and added it around the border.

Now start preparing our treats. I using mini brie circles with flag toothpicks, blonde Oreo “medals”, cheesecake tarts topped with fruit ( recipe here) , patriotic truffles, and a blue mini moon pie.

I used a food safe marker to write USA on the blue moon pie . You could also do this with a frosted cookie or large marshmallow. 

Add your treats to the board. 

Now start adding red and blue fruit. I used large sliced strawberries and plump blueberries. 

Keep filling in spaces with fruit, marshmallows, truffles, and cookies. 

These cheesecake tarts are so simple and pretty!

This dessert dip was a gooey butter cake mix with cream cheese.

I added gold sprinkles at the end and served flag shaped crackers around the bowl for dipping.

Arrange all the ingredients so the fit and fill in any open spaces. Serve immediately. 

Bright, colorful, and full of treats. Perfect!

Go Team USA!

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Today is the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France!

To celebrate we made these pretty patriotic desserts.

 Filled with cheesecake and topped with diced fruit and whipped cream, these tasty bite size tarts are perfect for enjoying during the summer games! 

Welcome to this year’s #SummerDessertWeek event hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife. We’ve got 15 spectacular bloggers creating summer-themed dessert recipes that we’re going to be sharing with you all week! You can find them on our blogs (some of those recipe links posted in this post) and on social media with the hashtag #SummerDessertWeek.

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Team USA Cheesecake Fruit Tarts

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cheesecake filling
• 2 tbsp mini blueberries
• 2 strawberries diced small
• 12 pack mini tart shells
• whipped cream for topping

Instructions

• Fill each tart shells with the chilled cheesecake filling. Only add a spoonful or less to fill evenly to the top, smoothing flat.
• Add a row of diced strawberries on the left and a row of 3 mini blueberries on the right on top of each cheesecake tart.
• Next, add a small squirt of the whipped cream to the middle of each tart in between the fruit. You should now have a red, white, and blue design.
• Serve immediately and enjoy !

Start by making the cheesecake filling. Since this was a kid created dish we used cheesecake pudding which was more like a chilled custard but very tasty!

You could also use premade cheesecake filling or, of course, you can make your own!

Prepare cheesecake pudding according to package.

It is an instant mix and the box said to whisk in 2 cups of milk with the dry mix then chill for 5 minutes.

Obviously you won’t use the whole bowl but you will need about 1/2 cup of filling.

I found these mini shortbread tart shells for this dessert at Walmart. They come in a 12 pack.

Now you need two types of fruit- one red and one blue. Since this is a mini dessert I went with small blueberries and diced strawberries. 

I used about 1/4 cup diced strawberries and 2 tbsp mini blueberries. 

Once the cheesecake filling is chilled and thickened, it’s time to fill the tarts!

Using a small scoop or spoon fill each tart shell with the cheesecake filling. 

Only add a spoonful or less to fill evenly to the top, smoothing flat.

Add a row of diced strawberries on the left and a row of 3 mini blueberries on the right on top of each cheesecake tart. 

Now you have a red. white, and blue Team USA themed treat!

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Check out Friday’s Recipes:

• Glazed Blueberry Cake Donuts from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Cranberry Posset from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Strawberry Piñata Cupcakes from Blogghetti
• Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Terrine from Sweet ReciPEAs
• Snickers Apple Salad from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Mango Sorbet from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Blackberry Lemon Bread from Jen Around the World
• Cookie Dough Cupcakes from It’s Shanaka
• Team USA Cheesecake Fruit Tarts from For the Love of Food

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Enjoy this easy to make dessert board filled with patriotic treats for celebrating the 4th of July!

I first made this board during our live Mommy and Me videos on my blog Facebook page in 2020. Ava and I created this snack tray designed around the treats we ordered from a local small business called Tiny Pops (unfortunately it looks like they are no longer around).  I then added my favorite Red, White, and Blue Cream Cheese Spread in the center.

Scroll down to see the video and details!

Fun treats from Tiny Pops! I love a theme- especially a patriotic All American theme!

Ingredients: 

1 Red, White, and Blue Cream Cheese Spread (recipe linked in description)

Assorted patriotic theme desserts like color dipped strawberries, Oreos, pretzel sticks, and cake pops

1/2 sleeve graham cracker squares, broken into sticks

1/2 cup vanilla wafer cookies

1 cup blueberries

1 cup cherries

1/2 cup marshmallows

Assorted red, white, and blue candy like M&Ms and cut up white chocolate Hershey bars

Directions:

1. Start by placing your cream cheese spread on a colorful dish in the center of the board.

2. Arrange the dippers, like the crackers and wafers around the spread.

3. Add two bowls of the fruit, blueberries and cherries, on opposite ends of the board.

4. Now add the patriotic treats in sections around the sides.

5. Finally fill in the remaining spaces with the candy, marshmallows, and any remaining decorations or snacks you have.

6. Serve and enjoy your All American treats!

Mommy and Me Time throwback.

I loved making these videos with my girls!

Start by finding fun patriotic treats for your board.

We got these from a local home bakery but you can check grocery stores too or make them yourself!

This Red, White, and Blue Cream Cheese Spread is an easy appetizer and I like adding it to my dessert trays. 

Add any red and blue fruits you like along with candy and dippers.

I filled in spaces with marshmallows and small decorations too.

This themed All American dessert board can be served all year long. 

Ava is the best helper- and taste tester!

My wild child Stella helps sometimes too.

Fireworks in the yard is one of our favorite traditions!

Ashton grilled us the best dinner! #Kingofthegrill 

Check out my Facebook blog page for more Mommy and Me videos.

The post All American Dessert Board for the 4th of July! appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Happy July 4th Week!

This patriotic paint craft is fun to do for both kids and adults. 

Colorful drip paint and simple fingerprints make this an easy to make summertime gift idea or decoration for your home.

What You Need:

● 6 inch clay flower pot
● Painters tape or masking tape
● Craft paint in red, white, and blue
● Foam brush
● Clear topcoat – indoor/outdoor

Directions:

1. Lay paper or cardboard to cover your work surface.
2. Adhere a piece of tape over the hole on the inside of the pot.
3. Use the foam brush to paint the entire pot with a very light coat of white paint.
4. Once the pot has dried, flip it upside down.
5. Pour small drops of the red and blue paint on the bottom of the pot, along the edges. Allow the paint to pour over the sides. (Using just a small amount of paint will ensure that it doesn’t run over the rim of the pot.)
6. Once the paint has dried, flip it back over, and use your fingers to paint fingerprints around the rim of the pot.
7. Spray with the topcoat once dry, and allow the topcoat to dry overnight.

Gather all your supplies. All you need is a clay pot, tape, paint, and a foam brush. Optional: add a clear top coat. 

Rip off a piece of tape and add it to the inside bottom of the pot to cover the hole. 

Use the foam brush to paint the entire pot with a very light coat of white paint.

Once the pot has dried, flip it upside down

Pour small drops of the red and blue paint on the bottom of the pot, along the edges.

Allow the paint to pour over the sides.

Once the paint has dried, flip it back over, and use your fingers to paint fingerprints around the rim of the pot.

Make a pattern or decorate however you like. 

. Spray with the topcoat once dry, and allow the topcoat to dry overnight.

Enjoy your pretty patriotic pot!

These make thoughtful gifts and look pretty on your front porch for 4th of July!

The post Patriotic Paint Pour Flower Pots appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Print

Red, White, and Blue Cream Cheese Spread

Ingredients

• 8 oz block of cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup strawberry jam
• 1/2 cup Blueberry jam
• graham crackers cookies or sliced fruit, for dipping

Instructions

• Add cream cheese to a small plate or serving board.
• Pour each jam on top of half the cream cheese, letting it cover the top and pour over the sides.
• You should have one blue side and one red side.
• Serve with graham crackers or fruit on the side for dipping.

Start with a softened block of cream cheese. 

I used two flavors of jam for this patriotic recipe: strawberry and blueberry.

Pour each jam on top of half the cream cheese, letting it cover the top and pour over the sides. 

You should have one blue side and one red side.

Serve with graham crackers or fruit on the side for dipping.

Made in minutes and absolutely delicious, you can enjoy this patriotic sweet treat as an appetizer or dessert. 

The post Red, White, and Blue Cream Cheese Spread | 4th of July Patriotic Appetizer appeared first on For the Love of Food.

It’s 4th of July weekend and these creative recipes are all red, white, and blue themed for the holiday!

 This roundup includes over 90 summer entrées, tasty side dishes, colorful drinks, and patriotic desserts- perfect for your 4th of July party.

Entrees:

1. Red, White and Blue Nachos – Alison’s All Spice

2. 4th of July Charcuterie Board – In the Kitch

3. Mini Flag Pizzas – Rainy Day Mum

4. 4th of July Charcuterie Board – Plant Based on a Budget

5. All American Totchos – For the Love of Food

6. Patriotic Puff Pastry filled with Smokehouse BBQ – Hungry Happenings

7. Savory Patriotic Chicken Kabobs – Big Bear’s Wife

8. Firecracker Burgers – A Few Shortcuts

9. Red, White, and Blue Cheeseburgers – Abundance of Flavor

10. Firecracker Hot Dogs With Cheese Stars – Kicking it with Kelly

11. American Flag Charcuterie Board – The Penny Wise Mama

12. 50 Stars BBQ Chicken – In Honor of Design

Sides & Snacks:

1. Red, White and Blue Watermelon Pizza – In the Playroom

2. Red, White, And Bleu Kale Salad – Drugstore Divas

3. 4th of July Snack Mix – Baby Savers

4. Fourth of July Snack Board – For the Love of Food

5. Refreshing Red White and Blue Fruit Salad – Practically Homemade

6. Patriotic Tri Color Pasta Salad – The Slow Roasted Italian

7. American Flag Potato Salad – For the Love of Food

8. Red, White and Blueberry Salad – Eat Move Make

9. Red White and Blue Salad (Arugula, Mozzarella and Berries) – Bite on the Side

10. Red, White and Blue Freedom Fruit Salsa – For the Love of Food

11. Red, White And Blue Popcorn – Cheap Recipe Blog

12. Patriotic Snack Mix – Mommy Evolution

13. Star Spangled Patriotic Snack Mix – For the Love of Food

14. 4th of July Deviled Eggs – She Keeps a Lovely Home

15. Berry Caprese Salad {4th of July Salad} – Jam Jar Kitchen

16. Patriotic Muddy Buddies – The Housewife Modern

17. Patriotic White Chocolate Pretzels – Beyond the Chicken Coup

Desserts:

1. Patriotic Cookies and Cream Dip – This Ole Mom

2. Red White and Blue No Bake Cheesecake Parfaits – The Mama Maven

3. Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches – Belle of the Kitchen

4. Summer Berry Trifle – Quiche My Grits

5. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies – Boston Girl Bakes

6. Patriotic Chocolate Covered Strawberries – Princess Pinky Girl

7. Patriotic Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter S’mores – For the Love of Food

8. Red, White and Blue Layered 4th of July Cake – Little Sunny Kitchen

9. Patriotic Gnome Cookie Cups – Just is a Four Letter Word

10. Red and Blue Ice Cream – Mooshu Jenne

11. Fourth of July Chocolate Pretzels – Homemade Heather

12. No Bake Mini Cheesecake Parfaits – Upstate Ramblings

13. Chantilly Sheet Cake – Soulfully Made

14. Red White and Blue Velvet Bundt Cake – Practically Homemade

15. Patriotic Oreo Cream Cheese Truffles – Easy Budget Recipes

16. Red, White, and Blue Dessert Bites – Good Life Eats

17. Marbled Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies – The Forked Spoon

18. 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats – Fantabulousity

19. Patriotic Fruit Popsicles – For the Love of Food

20. Patriotic Red White & Blue Bundt Cake – Bunsen Burner Bakery

21. American Flag Cheesecake – Down Redbud Drive

22. Fruit Spangled Cheesecake Dip – Food Folks and Fun

23. 4th of July Brownie Bites – Trop Rockin

24. 4th of July Cupcakes: Red White and Blue Layers – Fantabulousity

25. Patriotic Chocolate Sprinkled Strawberries – For the Love of Food

26. Rice Krispie Treat Stars – Emily Fabulous

27. Red, White and Blue Spritz Cookies – The Monday Box

28. American Flag Fruit Filled Cake with Whipped Frosting – For the Love of Food

29. Red White And Blue Cupcakes – Tidy Mom

30. Red, White & Blue Berry Pound Cake Bites – Cupcakes and Kale Chips

31. Patriotic Kool-Aid Pie – Simplistically Living

32. Red, White and Blue Frozen Yogurt Bark – Little Sunny Kitchen

33. Blueberry Puff Pastry Stars – Emily Fabulous

34. Patriotic Fruit Trays (3 Ways) – For the Love of Food

35. Summer Berry Trifle – Bunsen Burner Bakery

36. Red, White and Blue Ice Cream – The Fresh Cooky

37. Strawberry Icebox Cake – Pint Sized Baker

38. Summertime Blue Apple Crumble Pie – For the Love of Food

39. Red White and Blue Jello Ribbon Salad – Cook Clean Repeat

40. American Flag Cupcakes – Trop Rockin

41. Patriotic S’mores Brownies – Kelly Stilwell

42. Red, White and Blue Cherries – Just is a Four Letter Word

43. Patriotic Mini Fruit Tarts – The Oregon Dietitian

44. Red, White and Blueberry Crumb Cake – Cupcakes and Kale Chips

45. 4th of July Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting – Saving Talents

46. Stars and Stripes Cherry and Blueberry Pie – For the Love of Food

47. Red, White & Blue Fruit Pizza – The Hungry Blue Bird

48. Red White and Blue Poke Cake – Princess Pinky Girl

49. Red, White, and Blue Pinwheel Cookies – Ann’s Entitled Life

Drinks:

1.   Blueberry Gin Cocktail – The Fresh Cooky

2. 4th of July Milkshakes – Pint Sized Baker

3. Patriotic Punch – For the Love of Food

4. Red, White & Blue Sangria – Made with Happ

5. July 4th Stained Glass Jello Shots – Mooshu Jenne

6. Red White and Blue Vodka Slush – Sula and Spice

7. Patriotic Fruit Sipper with Berry Ice – For the Love of Food

8. Berry Mint Ice Cubes – Tasting Page

9. Red White and Blue Cocktail – Fresh Flavorful

10. Red, White and Blue Ice Cubes – We Are Not Martha

11. Bomb Pop Tropical Mocktail – For the Love of Food

12. Layered 4th of July Drink – Skip to My Lou

13. Bomb Pop Drink – Sparkles to Sprinkles

14. Easy Patriotic Red, White, and Blue Slushie – The Moody Blonde

15. Firecracker Margarita – Sula and Spice

16. Layered Berry Pina Colada – Cooking with Curls

17. Patriotic Snow Cones – Thrifty Jinxy

Happy 4th of July, y’all!

The post 90+ Red, White, and Blue 4th of July Party Foods appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Happy Veterans Day!

On this day we honor and thank all service members past and present for serving our country.

Download my free printable Veterans Day card and sign to display or give.

Ava signed her card for her Dad.

“I’m thankful for you!”

Such a sweet girl!

Some of the past Veterans Day parades and ceremonies we’ve attended as a family.

We are so grateful for the men and women of the Armed services, including my Army husband, and always remember that freedom isn’t free. 

Download the printable card here.

Download the printable sign here. 

The post Veterans Day Printable Sign and Card appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Print

Star Spangled Patriotic Snack Mix

Ingredients

• 4 cups cereal {I did half Berry Cheerios and half Captain Crunch}
• 2 cups yogurt pretzel stars
• 1 cup red white, and blue M&M candies
• 1 cup dried banana chips
• 1 cup dried strawberries
• 1 cup dried blueberries

Instructions

• Add all ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Toss to mix.

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Happy June y’all! I have been searching on Amazon for gifts for a month now, both for Father’s Day and for my birthday this month. My family and I, including my parents, my husband and my kids, like to make Amazon gift lists since we are all Amazon Prime members. So every holiday and birthday we simply log in and pick a gift and have it shipped. I love it because you know you are getting something that they really want and it’s more personal than a gift card.
I had my husband, who is in the Army, make a Father’s Day gift list and most of his choices were military themed. I decided to add a few of my gift ideas to the list and share it with y’all today because I just love all the fun and patriotic presents we found!
This Military Dad Father’s Day Gift Guide makes finding a gift for your veteran husband, father, uncle, brother, or friend as easy as 1,2, 3. Check out our top 20 military themed gift items and let me know your favorite!

New for 2021:

23.  Men’s Folding Pocket Comb : a wooden comb with a leather travel case printed with a skull design screams “Dad gift” !

This post contains affiliate links.

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend, friends!
May your Memorial Day be reflective of those who have made it possible.

#1 Star Fruit Tray

#2 Berry Kabobs

 #3 Flag Fruit Platter

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