37 All-American Fourth of July Bars

From the Recipe Creator: Whip up a pan of these festive Fourth of July bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they’re destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: This is only one of many wonderful recipes that my mother handed down to me. With their flaky crust and scrumptious fruit filling, these delicious apple pie bars are the perfect way to serve apple pie to a crowd. —Janet English, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: Whether I’m hosting friends or sending a plate to work with my husband, these creamy elegant lemon cheesecake bars are always a hit. It’s a wonderful make-ahead dessert that easily serves a large group. —Peggy Reddick, Cumming, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: I’ve always enjoyed the flavor of mango, so I created this recipe to feature the sweet tropical fruit. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: Think of this as a blueberry crisp turned into a hand-held treat. Oats and fresh blueberries combine for a sweet, uncomplicated dish. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: After I baked, my dad would always find his way to the kitchen and ask if he could try what I made. I enjoyed asking him to taste test different creations, like these bars. He was always ready with a compliment. Other fruits can be arranged over the custard, depending on what’s in season. —Carlin Tou, Chandler, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: This has been a favorite Fourth of July bar recipe of mine for many years. I’ve made these apple crisp bars for parties and for family, and they’re always a hit. —Barbara Pickard, Union Lake, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: We are always trying to find new ways to use the fruit from our lemon tree. My 13-year-old daughter, Audrey, decided to combine two of my lemony favorites: lemon bars and lemon meringue pie. After several intense hours in the kitchen (and warding off her horde of brothers), these delicious lemon meringue bars were born. —Monica Fearnside, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

From the Recipe Creator: These Oreo Rice Krispies Treats are chewy on the inside with a crispy, crunchy cookie top. Not only are they tasty, but the crumbled cookies make for a sweet presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: "Our family loves to take drives, and I often bring these bars along for snacking in the car," relates Martha Haseman of Hinckley, Illinois.

From the Recipe Creator: Summer isn’t summer without a banana split or two, and these fun Fourth of July bars bring that same delicious flavor in potluck-perfect form. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming

From the Recipe Creator: To give these fresh, fruity Fourth of July bars even more crunch, add a sprinkling of nuts to the yummy crumb topping. Everyone will want to indulge. —Leanna M. Thorne, Lakewood, Colorado

From the Recipe Creator: Yep, they’re made with corn chips, but don’t let that fool you. These salty sweets were a staple after meetings at the quilt guild I once belonged to. —Carol Tramp, Wynot, Nebraska

From the Recipe Creator: Since our area has an annual blueberry festival, my daughters and I are always looking for amazing new recipes to enter in the cooking contest. These lovely Fourth of July bars won a blue ribbon one year. —Debbie Ayers, Baileyville, Maine

From the Recipe Creator: This chocolate scotcheroos recipe was given to me by one of my students at school. It has become one of my family’s favorites and is so easy to make. —Lois Mays, Covington, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: When you bring these treats to a gathering, guests will be tempted to start at the dessert table. Chock-full of chocolate and walnuts, they will satisfy any sweet tooth. I often make a second batch just for my family. —Jennifer Eilts, Lincoln, Nebraska

From the Recipe Creator: When we were first married, my husband was in the Navy. Stationed in Puerto Rico, we had banana trees growing in our yard, so I found ways to use dozens of ripe bananas at a time. I made these banana squares often. They freeze well and make a great snack to have on hand when friends drop in for coffee. —Susan Miller, Raleigh, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: I converted these blondies to be gluten-free so that my family could enjoy a comforting dessert. We were craving brownies one night, and these cakelike treats hit the spot. They are a fantastic spin on gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Becky Klope, Loudonville, New York

From the Recipe Creator: Who doesn't like this dessert duo? Add your favorite combination of candies to garnish the tops of these chocolate peanut butter dream bars. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska

From the Recipe Creator: This delightful lemon bar recipe is from my mother's file. I've been serving it for many years. They has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. —Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: I've been asked to share this marshmallow chocolate bar recipe more than any other in my collection. It's a longtime favorite of our three daughters. How many times we've all made these, I can't count. — Esther Shank, Harrisonville, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: My favorite way to enjoy these Fourth of July bars is to eat one while sitting on the porch with an iced tea in hand. Make them for any occasion; they will be gobbled up quickly. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making these Fourth of July banana bars with orange frosting for years. They’re always a hit at cookouts and parties. The secret to tasty banana desserts is the ripeness of the bananas. The riper, the better. —Mary Sturgis, Hingham, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: These Fourth of July bars layer a buttery pecan shortbread crust with a rich and creamy filling and sweet-tart strawberry rhubarb jam. For larger squares, cut into nine bars instead of 16. —Amanda Scarlati, Sandy, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: These three-layered brownies are simply irresistible and my family's absolute favorite. —Ella Agans, Birch Tree, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: Piled high with chocolate chunks, gooey marshmallows and crushed graham crackers, this rocky road Rice Krispies Treats recipe is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: I received this recipe from a co-worker who made these heavenly bars for a potluck. Since they combine two favorite flavors—chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake—in one bite, they were a hit with our three grown children. —Jane Nolt, Narvon, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: These chewy bars are the perfect no-fuss contribution to a potluck or bake sale. I’ve discovered the trick is to get them into the refrigerator so the chocolate can set before they disappear! —Lorri Speer, Centralia, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: Slab pie is a pastry baked in a jelly-roll pan and cut into slabs like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a professional baker and served pieces of slab pie to his customers back in the day. Here is my spin, featuring rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I have made these Butter Pecan Cookie Bars for many, many years. They are rich, chewy, nutty and buttery—all the good stuff. They freeze well, that is, if they last long enough. A little drizzle of old-fashioned penuche icing takes them over the top. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

From the Recipe Creator: These vegan magic bars are one of the easiest treats you can make. By using plant-based butter and condensed coconut milk, they are completely vegan-friendly. I also added some dried pineapple, mango and macadamia nuts to give them the tropical spin. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

From the Recipe Creator: You'll score points with a crowd when you stir together these delicious fudge-like treats. They're very moist and rich. The chocolate chips and walnuts make a pretty topping. —Frank Bee, Eugene, Oregon

From the Recipe Creator: Our family loves fresh strawberries, so I look for different ways to use them. These tempting, yummy Fourth of July bars have sweet strawberries, tart lime and salty pretzels. —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: Folks who adore the classic cookies will enjoy that same beloved flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois