As you get older, 4th of July’s starts to look a little different. 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have been thinking about what kind of patriotic desserts I would be whipping up. I think I was picking out my sluttiest stars and stripes bikini ready to shot gun some beers and down some red white and blue jello shots. Cause ya know, Merica’. Now that I am 3 months shy of 30, cooking and finding a '“chill” place to spend the 4th, is more my style. My group of friends ended up going to our friend Megan’s dads house, getting some sun by the pool, drinking a few white claws and eating some awesome grill food. These treats were a perfect end to a perfect all American, 4th of July.

Chocolate Dipped Rice Crispy Treats:

Ingredients:

1 box rice Krispies

2 bags or 5 cups marshmallows

1 stick salted butter

1 package white chocolate almond bark

Red, White and Blue Sprinkles (I use a brand called Fancy Sprinkles)

Parchment Paper

Directions:

Melt Butter and marshmallows in a sauce pan until completely smooth. In a large mixing bowl, stir in the marshmallow mixture with the Krispies. Mix until all incorporated. Spread in a large casserole dish or foil pan and smooth the top and flatten with spatula, cover with foil. Let sit out on counter. I let mine sit over night but 4/5 hours is long enough. Cut into 3 inch squares and remove from pan. Melt almond bark in a microwave safe bowl in 30 seconds intervals until smooth, stirring in between. Lay out a long piece of parchment paper. Dip each treat into the chocolate about half way up, and then cover with sprinkles. Lay each one on the parchment paper, once done let them sit to harden for about and our and then eat!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients:

1 container of fresh strawberries

1 package of dark chocolate almond bark

Red, White and Blue Sprinkles

Parchment Paper

Directions:

Melt almond bark in microwave safe bowl for 30 second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Dip each strawberry into the chocolate and grab a pinch of sprinkles and let them drop onto the chocolate. After each one lay out on parchment paper. Let them sit out to harden for about an hour and put in refrigerator to keep.