![Southern Living Flag Cake decorated ready to serve](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/C6WQZMl78Ior7VBKyFlTPqa0Aso=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Flag_Cake_011-bfe25a3ac9414a1ea95d14285457981f.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Fourth of July is a great time to gather friends and family for an easy, breezy cookout with some of our favorite recipes. We asked our readers what topped your list of must-make recipes for the holiday and your responses were very similar: seasonal deserts, easy salads, and make-ahead casseroles. Here are the top 12 recipes on your 4th of July menus.
Homemade Baked Beans
![Southern Living Homemade Baked Beans in the dish ready to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/FaIlq2oRyvjI19GgXooPoiyZHyg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20220406_SL_Baked-Beans_Beauty_1502-6031937059e24de4b8236c0e772c9078.jpg)
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Baked beans always tops the lists at backyard barbecues, and especially for the 4th of July. A tray of smoky baked beans is a must-make at your 4th of July gathering.
Classic Deviled Eggs
![Classic Deviled Eggs](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/labCowdkpolHvrLmw--CavwK4No=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Deviled_Eggs_013_preview_scale_100_ppi_150_quality_100-272aad60d97447e997cedf84715eadb7.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Deviled eggs of all kinds are perfect for the occasion. Keep the filling simple and classic with nothing more than egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and relish.
Blueberry Cobbler
![Blueberry Cobbler with a scoop of ice cream](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/NRmYismulIpkHtA4khcQ8UCchyM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Blueberry_Cobbler_018-dce031653b9f4d27a7282273909fdc5b.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Peaches, plums, berries – cobblers are the ultimate addition to every summer dessert. In this recipe, seasonal blueberries shine as the perfect amount of sweetness.
Cornbread Salad
![Southern Cornbread Salad](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/w65ef_FWiPecI13DJPOK_IFjKMs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-Cornbread_Salad_023-3b8774be49b14c77bc0e5cd3de65b0ce-9b9d4a01a1174c0e80e66fcaad4b25fa.jpg)
CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX
Break out the trifle bowl, this layered recipe will dazzle at the potluck. Homemade cornbread, bacon, corn, black eyed peas, and more come together for a dish made for sharing.
Flag Cake
![Southern Living Flag Cake decorated ready to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/C6WQZMl78Ior7VBKyFlTPqa0Aso=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Flag_Cake_011-bfe25a3ac9414a1ea95d14285457981f.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Forget the floral centerpiece, this patriotic cake will take its place. The moist and delicious cake is frosted with vanilla icing and finished. off with juicy red and blue berries.
Old-School Squash Casserole
![Southern Living Old School Squash Casserole in the dish after baking ready to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/p3qA_hGMYaG88rh3l8w8vI0Tdp4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20220406_SL_Old-School-Squash-Casserole_Beauty_1623-0918bbabae9a41d3b689225652517278.jpg)
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Here's to the classics! This old-school squash recipe is popular for its creamy sauce and buttery cracker topping. One scoop is never enough.
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
![Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/g_xDnb4RPSF4UaiFpJ4yUfUCTcs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/red-velvet-cake-mix-cookies-8-cfc5ab4520e64242ae018485c32f923d.jpg)
Emily Laurae
Bake a batch of these red velvet cookies for the backyard bash. These red velvet cake mix cookies take advantage of that similarity by using a few ingredients to make cookies out of a box of cake mix.
Easy Peach Cobbler
![Southern Living Easy Peach Cobbler on the plate to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/E5w34fOb1HjWw0LYiYZAg4gZ5bA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Easy-Peach-Cobbler-Audit-7884-10871-983801a9c4b84c29af6f0c934f411819.jpg)
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Peaches are the true stars of summer. And they can't be missed in this six-ingredient, 10-minute recipe that turns the bounty into a delicious crowdpleaser.
Southern-Style Potato Salad
![Southern Living Southern Style Potato Salad in a bowl to serve with two glasses of sweet tea behind](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/CSvZigGO2FYYJR0sMaXbq9QqhVk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living-southern-style-potato-salad-2X3-1912-e2d2294e18934f1ebd7afb17f5b0a68a.jpg)
Dotdash Meredith
When it's time to celebrate, this is the dish Mama will request. This Southern potluck staple is made with onions, celery, sour cream, mayonnaise, and bacon.
Pepperoni Pasta Salad
![Pepperoni Pasta Salad in a white serving bowl - Southern Living](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/jOocdvljogdHRIOJJZD6Pqf47LA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pepperoni-Pasta-Salad-3x2-117-8a4b671e50b945fbb4f1315f4b3da64f.jpg)
Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Jasmine Smith; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
A recipe that tastes like home. A zesty mash-up of pepperoni, pasta, olives, and peppers tossed in a zesty dressing. Since it's chilled. it's the perfect salad for bringing to the late afternoon picnic or potluck.
Zucchini Casserole
![Southern Living Zucchini Casserole in the dish to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/IrAnrouU4MVC-a3z_4NeGgMfNq0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Zucchini_Casserole_014-ccb95fa70f594468a4f5a3640a25aab5.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
There are so many delicious rewards to summer's bounty of zucchini – and this recipe tops everyone's list. Not only is it easy to pull together, it's a great bake-and-take option when you want something seasonal, satisfying, and serves the crowd.
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
![Southern Living Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream in bowls to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/EBBY00OUG-AgOn3N1lANR0JkaFI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Strawberry_Shortcake_IceCream_010-0820b2a72950463999a5ce1723c12c2c.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
The response was loud and clear that strawberries and ice cream need to make an appearance at the Fourth of July festivities. If you're hosting at home, we highly recommend serving this delicious recipe for dessert.