Fourth of July Recipes: Explore five mouth-watering recipes that we have compiled to celebrate Independence Day. Make the mood festive by these creative desserts that you can share with your family and friends.

1. FRUIT-TART FLAG By Food Network Kitchen

Directions

Fill premade miniature tart shells or phyllo cups with sweet mascarpone cream (recipe below), then arrange on a tray and top with blueberries and halved strawberry slices to create stars and stripes.

Mascarpone Cream:

Beat an 8-ounce container of mascarpone cheese and 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar with a mixer until smooth. Gently fold in 1/2 cup freshly whipped cream.

2. ICE CREAM FLAG CAKE By Food Network Kitchen

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 16 -to-18-ounce box white cake mix (plus required ingredients)

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

28 drops royal blue gel food coloring

4 drops violet gel food coloring

Unsalted butter, for the pan

3 pints raspberry sorbet

2 1/2 pints vanilla ice cream

2 pints heavy cream

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F; coat a 9-inch-round springform pan with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix as directed, adding the cocoa powder and food coloring to the batter. Transfer to the prepared pan and bake until done, about 45 minutes.

Let the cake cool, then remove from the pan; level the domed top with a serrated knife. Use a 5-inch circle of parchment paper as a guide to cut a circle from the center of the cake (you won't need the small circle). Freeze the large cake ring.

Cut a 6-by-30-inch strip of parchment paper. Clean the springform pan, then butter it and line the side with the parchment as shown; the paper will extend above the rim of the pan so you can build a tall cake.

Let 1 pint sorbet soften slightly at room temperature. Spread in the prepared pan, then lay a piece of plastic wrap on top and use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack the sorbet into the pan in an even layer. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes.

Let 1 pint vanilla ice cream soften; spread in the pan, cover with plastic wrap and press evenly with the measuring cup. Freeze until firm, then repeat to make 1 more layer each of sorbet and ice cream (4 layers total). Freeze until firm.

Place the blue cake ring on top of the ice cream, pressing gently; return to the freezer while you prepare the next layer.

Cut off the top 1 1/2 inches of the remaining sorbet carton; remove the carton and wrap the sorbet loosely in plastic wrap. Press into a 5-inch round, then place the flattened sorbet into the hole in the cake, smoothing as needed. Freeze until firm.

Cut off the top 1 1/2 inches of the remaining ice cream carton (you won't need the bottom). Flatten as you did the sorbet; place on top of the raspberry layer. Repeat with the bottom section of sorbet. Freeze until firm.

Beat the heavy cream and confectioners' sugar with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Remove the springform ring and parchment collar from the cake. Cover the cake with the whipped cream. Freeze until ready to serve.

3. RED, WHITE AND BLUEBERRY TRIFLE By Food Network Kitchen

Ingredients

Two 16-ounce containers strawberries

Two 6-ounce containers blueberries

One 6-ounce container blackberries

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Pinch kosher salt

One 8-ounce package cream cheese

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 prepared angel food cake (about 12 ounces)

Confectioners' sugar, for garnish, optional

1 1/2 tablespoons apple jelly or apricot preserves, for garnish, optional

Directions

Trim and quarter the strawberries and set aside. Combine the blueberries, blackberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup water, lemon zest, juice and salt in a medium saucepot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries break down and the sauce thickens, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.

Place the cream cheese, 1/4 cup cream, the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla extract in a large bowl and beat on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. In a second large bowl, whip the remaining cream until stiff peaks form. Fold about one-quarter of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until lightened, and then fold in the remaining whipped cream.

To assemble the trifle, rip or cut the angel food cake into 2-inch pieces. Place half the cake pieces in the bottom of a 12-to-14-cup trifle dish or large bowl. Top with about half the blueberry sauce, half the cream and half the quartered strawberries. Repeat the layers with the remaining cake, berry sauce, cream and strawberries. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 8 hours or overnight. Before serving either dust with confectioners' sugar or heat the apple jelly in the microwave for 25 seconds to loosen, and then brush over the strawberries.

4. STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER DESSERT RECIPE By Taste Of Home

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 to 2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon coarse sugar

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries

1 cup fresh blueberries

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

Directions

On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured star-shaped cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Brush lightly with water and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cool.

In a large bowl, combine berries and 1/4 cup sugar; set aside. In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add remaining sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Place sour cream in a small serving bowl; fold in whipped cream.

Place bowl on a serving platter. Spoon berry mixture onto platter; top with pastry stars. Yield: 8 servings.

5. RED, WHITE AND BLUE DESSERT RECIPE By Taste Of Home

Ingredients

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

2 quarts strawberries, halved, divided

2 quarts blueberries, divided

Directions

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and extracts until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream. Place a third of the mixture in a 4-qt. bowl. Reserve 20 strawberry halves and 1/2 cup blueberries for garnish.

Layer half of the remaining strawberries and blueberries over cream mixture. Top with another third of the cream mixture and the remaining berries. Spread the remaining cream mixture on top. Use the reserved strawberries and blueberries to make a "flag" on top. Yield: 18 servings.