With its delightful blend of fruity soda and creamy vanilla ice cream, this patriotic drink is sure to be a hit at your Fourth of July festivities. Whether hosting a backyard barbecue, a family picnic or simply watching the fireworks, this colorful and delicious cream soda is the perfect way to toast to freedom and fun!

What is Japanese cream soda?

Japanese cream soda, known as “クリームソーダ” (kurīmu sōda) in Japanese, is a popular and nostalgic beverage that is quite different from the traditional Western cream soda.

Unlike the vanilla-flavored cream soda in Western countries, Japanese cream soda typically has a fruity flavor, most commonly melon. The soda is often bright green. 

With this Fourth of July version, I used blue Jello to color the drink. I could have simply colored the soda to blue with food coloring, but wanted to add a little twist 😉 

Also, one of the defining characteristics of Japanese cream soda is the addition of a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This creates a float-like drink that is both refreshing and creamy.

What are the ingredients for this Fourth of July drink?

The ingredients for this drink are super simple! 

• Starburst Blue Raspberry flavored Jello (or any blue Jello of your choice)
• 7UP (or any clear soda of your choice)
• Vanilla Ice cream

For garnish

• Maraschino cherry

Tips for customizing your drink

• Top the drink with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkles or edible glitter for an extra indulgent treat.
• Spike this drink by adding a splash of vodka, rum, or a fruit-flavored liqueur to the soda. Be sure to mix well and serve responsibly.

How to make the Fourth of July drink?

1.Make blue Jello by following the instructions on the box.

2. Crush the Jello into small pieces with a fork.

3. Pour the crushed Jello into a glass and add some ice cubes if you like

4. Fill the glass cup with soda

5. Carefully add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the soda

6. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately with a straw and enjoy!

If you like this Fourth of July drink, you may also like:

• Fourth of July JELL-O Cups
• Annin Tofu (Almond Tofu) – Easy Recipe
• Kohakutou Recipe

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Fourth of July drink – Inspired by Japanese Cream Soda

Celebrate Independence Day with a refreshing twist by trying this Fourth of July drink inspired by Japanese cream soda! This festive beverage features a vibrant red, blue, and white theme, perfectly capturing the holiday spirit.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Japanese

Keyword 4th of July, cream soda

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Resting Time 4 hours hours

Servings 3

Equipment

• 1 glass baking dish
• 3 17oz. glass cups

Ingredients

• 1 box Starburst blue raspberry Jello box or any other blue Jello of your choice
• 36 ounces 7UP or any other clear soda of your choice
• 1 pint vanilla cream
• 3 Maraschino cherry

Instructions

• Make blue Jello by following the instructions on the box.
• Crush the Jello into small pieces with a fork.
• Pour the crushed Jello into a glass and add some ice cubes if you like
• Fill the glass cup with soda
• Carefully add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the soda
• Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately with a straw and enjoy!

The post Fourth of July drink – Inspired by Japanese cream soda appeared first on Simply A Homebody.

With only 3 ingredients, elevate your dessert game and impress your family and friends! Every spring, I see cute Easter-themed silicone molds all over. This year, I’m using this bunny silicone mold from Walmart.

Benefits of Making Homemade Fudge

• Personalized Flavors: One of the best parts of making homemade fudge is that you can customize it to your heart’s content! Whether you love classic chocolate, peanut butter, or adventurous flavors like maple walnut or Rocky Road, the possibilities are endless. You’re in control of the ingredients, so you can make it just the way you like it.
• Quality Ingredients: When you make fudge at home, you know exactly what’s going into it. You can choose high-quality ingredients, ensuring that your fudge is made with the best of the best.
• Creative Freedom: Homemade fudge is a blank canvas for your creativity. Experiment with different mix-ins like sprinkles, nuts, dried fruit, or marshmallows to add texture and flavor. You can also get artistic with swirls, layers, and decorations to make your fudge as beautiful as it is delicious.
• Family Fun: Making fudge at home is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Get the whole gang involved in the process. It’s a fun and tasty activity that creates lasting memories.
• Gift-Worthy Treats: Homemade fudge makes for fantastic gifts! A box of homemade fudge is sure to bring joy to the recipient. Package it up in cute tins, jars, or boxes for an extra-special touch.
• Cost-Effective: Making fudge at home can be more cost-effective than buying it pre-made. You can make large batches for a fraction of the price of store-bought fudge, and you’ll have plenty to share (or hoard for yourself – no judgment!).

History of Fudge

Did you know it is believed fudge was first invented by an accident? While the exact origins of fudge are somewhat debated, it is widely believed to have originated in the college dormitories in New York in the 1880s. Legend has it that a batch of caramel-like candy was accidentally “fudged” by a student who failed to properly heat the ingredients, resulting in a deliciously creamy and decadent confection.

Ingredients for Easter Fudge (Makes about 20 pieces)

• 2 cups white baking chips, 340g
• ½ can sweetened condensed milk, 150ml
• 1 bottle Spring-themed sprinkles, 70g

Instructions

1.Place white baking chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring often, until the baking chips are completely melted.

2. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until uniform. Allow the mixture to cool a bit so the sprinkles don’t melt when mixed in.

3. Mix half a bottle of spring-themed sprinkles.

4. Pour the mixture into a piping bag and pipe it into your silicone mold. Add more sprinkles on top.

5. Refrigerate fudge for 2 hours or until it is hardened.

Tips for Perfecting Your Easter Fudge

• Use High-Quality Ingredients: Start with the best ingredients you can find.
• Avoid Overmixing: Avoid stirring it too much before piping it into the silicone mold. Overmixing can cause the fudge to become grainy instead of smooth and creamy.
• Add Sprinkles Carefully: Fold them into the fudge mixture gently and evenly to ensure they’re distributed throughout.
• Experiment with Flavors: Get creative with your fudge flavors! Consider adding extracts like vanilla, almond, or peppermint for extra flavor depth, or swirl in some peanut butter or caramel for a delicious twist.
• Allow Proper Setting Time: Let your fudge set completely before taking it out of the mold.
• Store Properly: Store your Easter fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, or in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

If you like this Easter fudge recipe, you may also like:

• Bailey’s Mini Cheesecake Cups
• Fourth of July JELL-O Cups
• Halloween Pudding Cups

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Easter Fudge

Indulge your sweet tooth on Easter with this fudge. This cute treat is sure to delight your taste buds and will add a touch of sweetness to your holiday celebrations. 

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword fudge

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Resting Time 2 hours hours

Servings 20 pieces

Equipment

• 1 microwave-safe bowl
• 1 Spatula
• 1 Silicone molds of your choice I used a bunny-shaped mold
• 1 Piping bag

Ingredients

• 2 cups white baking chips 340g
• ½ can sweetened condensed milk 150ml
• 1 bottle Spring-themed sprinkles 70g

Instructions

• Place white baking chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring often, until the baking chips are completely melted.
• Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until uniform. Allow the mixture to cool a bit so the sprinkles don’t melt when mixed in.
• Mix half a bottle of spring-themed sprinkles.
• Pour the mixture into a piping bag and pipe it into your silicone mold. Add more sprinkles on top.
• Refrigerate fudge for 2 hours or until it is hardened.

The post Deliciously Sweet Easter Fudge with only 3 ingredients appeared first on Simply A Homebody.

What does Bailey’s Irish Cream taste like?

Bailey’s Irish Cream is a creamy, sweet liquor that tastes like a blend of Irish whiskey, cream, and chocolate. When you sip it, you might feel a little kick from the whiskey, but that’s totally balanced out by the creamy, chocolatey goodness. Some might say they taste hints of coffee, caramel, or vanilla too – it just depends on your taste buds.

Ingredients for Bailey’s Mini Cheesecake Cups

Brownie cups:

• 1 box Duncan Hines brownie mix*
• 3 Tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 2/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 2 eggs

*If you use different brands of brownie mixes, the amount of Bailey’s cream, coconut oil, and eggs may vary. Follow the instruction on your brownie mix and decide how many eggs are needed. Then substitute water and vegetable oil with Bailey’s Irish Cream and coconut oil in the same ratio.

Baileys Cheesecake Cream:

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

Decoration:

• St. Patrick’s Day-themed decorations and green glitters

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a mini muffin tin and set it aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine a box of brownie mix, Bailey’s Irish Cream, melted coconut oil, and eggs then mix well.

3. Add the brownie batter to the mini muffin tin and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

4. Once brownies are out of the oven, press a shot glass into the middle of each, making shallow cups. Let them cool completely.

5. While Brownies cool, make the Bailey’s cheesecake cream. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Bailey’s until well combined. Add heavy whipping cream and whip until stiff peaks form.

6. Pipe or spread a dollop of cheesecake cream on top of each brownie cup.

7. Top with St. Patrick’s-themed decorations and glitters.

How long does Bailey’s mini cheesecake last?

If placed in an airtight container in the fridge, they will last for up to 3 days. Do NOT store them at room temperature as the cheesecake cream contains fresh cream. If brownie cups are not filled with the cheesecake cream, they can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month. So you can bake the brownie cups in advance, then add cheesecake cream and sprinkles to the brownie cups on the same day you plan to serve them.

If you like these Bailey’s Mini Cheesecake Cups, you may also like:

• Valentine Petite Fours
• Whoopie Pie – Easy Recipe with Cake Mix
• Brownie Bites – Packed with Protein

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Bailey’s Mini Cheesecake Cups

These Bailey’s mini cheesecake cups are the perfect dessert to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The rich, chocolatey goodness of a brownie is elevated to the next level with creamy Bailey’s cheesecake cream. So gather your friends and family and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style with this sweet and boozy dessert!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword brownie, Cheesecake

Prep Time 50 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

Servings 24 mini cheesecake cups

Equipment

• 1 Mini muffin pan
• 1 or 2 Large bowls
• 1 Hand mixer/stand mixer/whisk
• 1 Shot glass
• 1 or 2 Piping Bags
• 1 Piping tip optional
• 1 Tweezer optional

Ingredients

For the Brownie Cups

• 1 box Duncan Hines brownie mix *See NOTE1
• 3 tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream
• ⅔ cups melted coconut oil
• 2 eggs

For the Baileys Cheesecake Cream

• 4 ounce cream cheese softened
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ¼ cups Bailey’s Irish Cream
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

For the Decoration

• Some St. Patrick’s Day-themed decorations and green glitters

Instructions

For the Brownie Cups

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a mini muffin tin and set it aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine a box of brownie mix, Bailey’s Irish Cream, melted coconut oil, and eggs then mix well.
• Add the brownie batter to the mini muffin tin and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Once brownies are out of the oven, press a shot glass into the middle of each, making shallow cups. Let them cool completely.
• While Brownies cool, make Bailey’s cheesecake cream. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Bailey’s until well combined. Add heavy whipping cream and whip until stiff peaks form.
• Pipe or spread a dollop of cheesecake cream on top of each brownie cup.
• Top with St. Patrick’s-themed decorations and glitters.

Notes

Note 1: If you use different brands of brownie mixes, the amount of Bailey’s cream, coconut oil, and eggs may vary. Follow the instruction on your brownie mix and decide how many eggs are needed. Then substitute water and vegetable oil with Bailey’s Irish Cream and coconut oil in the same ratio.

The post Bailey’s Mini Cheesecake Cups appeared first on Simply A Homebody.

These JELL-O cups are simple to make and look great for the dessert table. You can also make them for other holidays like Christmas and Halloween by adjusting the JELL-O colors. For this Fourth of July version, I picked red, blue, and white 😉

Ingredients

For the red JELL-O layer

• 1 box cherry JELL-O, 3 oz
• 1/2 packet Knox plain gelatin powder, 0.5 oz
• 1 cup boiling water, 8 oz

*These ingredients are for two separate layers. Will be making one red layer in Step 1 and another layer in Step 6.

For the white layer

• 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk, 7oz
• 1/2 cup boiling water, 4 oz
• 1/4 cup cold water, 2 oz
• 1 packet Knox plain gelatin powder, 1 oz

For the blue JELL-O layer

• 1 box berry blue JELL-O, 3 oz,
• 1/2 packet Knox plain gelatin powder, 0.5 oz
• 1 cup boiling water, 8 oz
• Some Blueberries (Optional)

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the 1/2 box cherry JELL-O and 1/4 packet plain gelatin powder. Add in 1/2 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved. Let the JELL-O mixture sit for a few minutes to slightly cool down before pouring it evenly into the cups.

2. Place the cups in the refrigerator to set.

3. For the white layer, in a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and boiling water. Stir to combine. In a separate smaller bowl, combine the cold water and 1 plain gelatin packet and stir to mix. Allow the gelatin mixture to bloom (for about 2-3 minutes).

4. Pour the gelatin mixture into the sweetened condensed milk mixture while hot. Mix well until all the gelatin is dissolved.

5. Once the red JELL-O is set, pour half of the condensed milk mixture evenly into the cups and place the cups in the refrigerator to set. Set aside the rest of the condensed milk mixture at room temperature for the next layers. 

6. Once the cream layer is set, make another red liquid by repeating Step 1, and pour it on top of the white layer.

7. Once the second red layers are set, pour the leftover condensed milk mixture evenly over the red layers in each cup. *If the condensed milk mixture sets while waiting for the red JELL-O layers to set, simply warm it up on the stove over low heat until it goes back to liquid.

8. Place the cups in the refrigerator to set.

9. For the blue layer, in a mixing bowl, combine the 1 box berry blue JELL-O and 1/2 packet plain gelatin powder. Add in 1 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved. Let the JELL-O mixture sit for a few minutes to slightly cool down before pouring it evenly into the cups. 

10. (Optional) Drop some blueberries into the blue layer while it’s warm.

11. Place the cups in the refrigerator to set and enjoy!

How long do JELL-O cups last?

If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, they can last for up to three days.

If you like these Fourth of July JELL-O cups, you may also like:

• Matcha Panna Cotta
• Halloween Brownie
• Nightmare Before Christmas Cookies

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Fourth of July JELL-O Cups

These JELL-O cups are simple to make and look great for the dessert table. You can also make them for other holidays like Christmas and Halloween by adjusting the JELL-O colors. Of course, for this Fourth of July version, I picked red, blue, and white 😉

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Holiday, JELL-O

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 3 hours hours

Total Time 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 5 8 oz. cups

Equipment

• 5 8oz. cups You can use any size of cups you prefer
• 2 – 3 Mixing Bowls
• 1 Spatula
• 1 Small pot

Ingredients

For the red JELL-O layer

• 1 box cherry JELL-O 3 oz
• ½ packet Knox plain gelatin powder 0.5 oz
• 1 cup boiling water

For the white layer

• ½ can sweetened condensed milk 7 oz
• ½ cup boiling water 4 oz
• ¼ cup cold water 2 oz
• 1 packet Knox plain gelatin powder 1 oz

For the blue JELL-O layer

• 1 box berry blue JELL-O 3 oz
• ½ packet Knox plain gelatin powder 0.5 oz
• 1 cup boiling water 8 oz
• Some blueberries optional

Instructions

• In a mixing bowl, combine the 1/2 box cherry JELL-O and 1/4 packet plain gelatin powder. Add in 1/2 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved. Let the JELL-O mixture sit for a few minutes to slightly cool down before pouring it evenly into the cups.
• Place the cups in the refrigerator to set.
• For the white layer, in a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and boiling water. Stir to combine. In a separate smaller bowl, combine the cold water and 1 plain gelatin packet and stir to mix. Allow the gelatin mixture to bloom (for about 2-3 minutes).
• Pour the gelatin mixture into the sweetened condensed milk mixture while hot. Mix well until all the gelatin is dissolved.
• Once the red JELL-O is set, pour half of the condensed milk mixture evenly into the cups and place the cups in the refrigerator to set. Set aside the rest of the condensed milk mixture at room temperature for the next layers. 
• Once the cream layer is set, make another red liquid by repeating Step 1, and pour it on top of the white layer.
• Once the second red layers are set, pour the leftover condensed milk mixture evenly over the red layers in each cup. *If the condensed milk mixture sets while waiting for the red JELL-O layers to set, simply warm it up on the stove over low heat until it goes back to liquid.
• Place the cups in the refrigerator to set.
• For the blue layer, in a mixing bowl, combine the 1 box berry blue JELL-O and 1/2 packet plain gelatin powder. Add in 1 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved. Let the JELL-O mixture sit for a few minutes to slightly cool down before pouring it evenly into the cups. 
• (Optional) Drop some blueberries into the blue layer while it’s warm.
• Place the cups in the refrigerator to set and enjoy!

The post Fourth of July JELL-O Cups appeared first on Simply A Homebody.