Get ready for Independence Day with these easy DIY ideas for a festive red, white and blue spread.
Lifestyle expert Maria Provenzano shared some tips, tricks and easy recipes with “Good Morning America.”
DIY USA Snack Board
Supplies
Paper mache letters spelling out “USA”
parchment
Exact Knife
snack:
Cherries (about 1 quart)
Strawberries (about 1 quart)
Mini licorice (2 bags)
Swedish Fish (1 bag)
Popcorn (1 large bag)
Vanilla Oreo (1 regular size container)
meringue
White Chocolate Pretzel
Blue corn tortilla chips (2 bags)
Instructions
Using an X-acto knife, carefully run the blade along the top edge of the papered letters to remove the entire top layer.
Once you have removed the top, remove anything that is inside the letter (usually additional paper mache pieces).
Cut a small piece of parchment paper to line the inside of the letter.
Include some red, white and blue snacks inside the letter.
Repeat for all characters required.
Tips:
The letter “A” tends to go out of stock quickly. If you can’t find an “A,” a “V” is usually available. Flip it over to make an “A,” then use the excess piece you cut off to make the center section of the “A.”
If you use different kinds of snacks, place any that are very moist, like olives, in small bowls instead of directly on the parchment, as they may leak into the letters.
independence day ice cubes
Supplies
Ice cube tray
raspberry
blueberry
water
Instructions
Place berries into ice cube molds.
Add water.
Wait until it is completely frozen.
Remove from mold and use for beverages.
Make your own star-shaped straws
Supplies
Paper Straws
Red, white and blue paper
Star punch
Glue dots or hot glue
Instructions
Cut out a star shape using a star punch
Add a dab of hot glue or glue dots to the straw about 2 inches down from the top.
Attach the star to the glue and leave it to set for at least 2 minutes, then it’s ready to use in your drink.
Tips:
No star cutter required, just draw a star on paper with a pencil and cut it out with scissors.
Get creative and add stars of different sizes and colors.
These also double as drink tags, making it clear who the drink belongs to.
Rice Krispie Flag Cake
“[Make] “I make two batches of homemade Rice Krispie Treats. I use the recipe that comes on the box,” Provenzano said, adding, “I press them into two 9-by-13-inch baking pans.”
Tips: It helps to line the bottom of the pan with baking paper and spray it with cooking spray before pressing the Rice Krispies into it – this makes it easier to remove the Rice Krispies from the pan in one piece.
Supplies
2 batches of homemade buttercream (recipe below) or 3 batches of store-bought frosting, about 3-4 cups.
Piping bag and nozzle (preferably a large nozzle, 2D size is best)
4 oz container of blueberries, approx.
12 ounce container of raspberries, approx.
Instructions
Remove one of the cooled batches of Rice Krispie Treats from the pan and place on a large serving tray.
Spread a thick layer of buttercream on top of a giant Rice Krispie treat, then place a second layer of Rice Krispies on top, then top that with another thick, even layer of frosting.
Using a knife or toothpick, create a rectangle in the top left portion of the rectangle to fill with blueberries.
Add raspberries to create red stripes.
Put the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a tip (I like the large 2D size piping tips) and dispense a little at a time between the rows of raspberries.
Tips:
You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge, but it should always be served at room temperature.
If you don’t have a piping bag or piping tip, you can use a plastic bag. Cut off the bottom corner of the bag with scissors to make it the same as a piping bag.
Buttercream
make: Approx. 3 cups
material
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 pound powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons whole milk (room temperature)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the butter until slightly crumbled.
Slowly add the powdered sugar. Once the sugar and butter are well combined, increase the mixer speed and pour in the vanilla.
Then pour in 2 tablespoons of milk.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is combined.
Increase speed to medium and mix frosting.
If frosting is too thick, add more milk.
If the frosting starts to crumble or isn’t thick enough, add more powdered sugar.
Whip the frosting until it is spreadable, about 5-8 minutes.
This frosting can be used to decorate cakes, cookies, and cupcakes – it will hold its shape no matter what decoration you use.
Kitchen feature on “GMA”
Festive recipes and DIY decorations to bring red, white and blue to your 4th of July table originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
