4TH of JULY TIP

*Enhance a bowl of fruit punch with strawberries and blueberries. Or, freeze the berries in ice cubes and add the cubes to the punch.

FIRECRACKER CUPCAKES

*Fourth of July Collection-Perfect for this celebration.PREP /TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes. 5 red pull-and-peel licorice 6 drops red food coloring 1 cup flaked coconut,divided 4 drops blue food coloring 1 carton (12 oz) frozen whipped topping thawed 24 cupcakes Assorted red and blue sprinkles,optional *Cut each licorice twist into five pieces, pull apart one of each to make firecracker fuses. Set aside. *In a resealable plastic bag, combine 1/4 water and red food coloring, add 1/2 cup coconut. Seal the bag and shake to tint the coconut. In another bag, combine 1/4 teaspoon water and blue food coloring, add the remaining coconut. Seal bag and shake to tint. *Spread whipped topping over cupcakes, decorate with coconut or sprinkles as desired. Insert firecracker fuses into tops. Refrigerate until serving.Yield: 2 dozen.(Source: Taste of Home and photo also)

Berry Cheese Torte

*Fourth of July Collection-PREP: 40 minutes and chilling time. 1 cup crushed gingersnap cookies ( about 20 cookies) 3/4 cup crushed vanilla wafers (about 25 wafers) 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 1/3 cup butter,melted 1 envelope unflavored gelatin 1-1/4 cups white grape juice 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2-1/2 cups fresh blueberries 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries *For the crust, combine the gingersnap cookie crumbs, vanilla wafer crumbs, walnuts and butter; press onto the bottom and 1-1/2 inches up the sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack. *In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over grape juice; let stand for 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Cover and refrigerate until partially set, about 45 minutes.*Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread mixture over the cooled crust. *Place the berries in a large bowl. Gently stir in the gelatin mixture. Spoon over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove sides of pan.Yield:12 servings.(Source: Taste of Home and Photo also)

MORE FOURTH OF JULY RECIPES!!!

Triple Bean Bake with Bacon

Fourth of July Collection-PREP: 15 minutes BAKE: 30 minutes MAKES 8 servings *1/2 pound  Bacon strips, cut into 1/2 -inch pieces 2/3 cup chopped onion ( about 1 medium) 1 can (15 1/2 oz) great northern beans, undrained 1  can (16 oz) butter beans, rinsed and drained 1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 TB prepared horseradish 1 TB yellow mustard *In a Dutch oven, cook Bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain,  reserving 1 TB drippings. Add onion to drippings; cook and stir over medium heat until tender. *Stir in the remaining ingredients; return Bacon to pan. Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Uncover and bake until desired consistency. (Source: Taste of Home & Photo)

BASKETBALL CAKE-HOOPFEST WEEKEND

* A Good way to celebrate Hoopfest Weekend * Fourth of July Collection-PREP: 20 minutes BAKE: 1 hour 1 package (18-1/4 oz) chocolate cake mix 1-1/2 cups vanilla frosting Orange paste food coloring 4 pieces black shoestring licorice *Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions. Pour into a greased and floured 2-1/2 quart ovenproof bowl. *Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing bowl to a wire rack to cool completely. *In a small bowl, combine frosting and food coloring. Place cake on a serving plate. Spread with frosting. Gently press a meat mallet into frosting so texture resembles a basketball. For seams, gently press licorice into frosting. YIELD: 12-16 servings. (Source: Taste of Home & photo also)

FOURTH OF JULY RECIPES ARE ON THE WAY