When you need a last-minute holiday sweet without a lot of fuss, this simple baked Independence Day treat is just the kind of recipe that earns a permanent place in the kitchen drawer. It has that old-fashioned church-supper spirit to it, where a handful of pantry staples can turn into something buttery, crisp, and candy-sweet in no time. Using dry uncrushed frosted corn flakes cereal as the base gives it a crackly texture that bakes up into a cheerful little dessert that feels right at home on a summer table decked out for the Fourth of July.
This sweet is especially nice served alongside bowls of vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, blueberries, or a platter of watermelon for a red, white, and blue spread. It also fits in beautifully with backyard cookout fare like burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, and lemonade, since it is easy to cut into small portions and pass around to a crowd.
4-Ingredient Oven Baked Independence Day Sweet
Servings: 8
Ingredients
4 cups dry uncrushed frosted corn flakes cereal
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup red, white, and blue candy-coated chocolate pieces
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease an oven-safe casserole dish.
2. Spread the dry uncrushed frosted corn flakes cereal evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
3. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the cereal, then sprinkle the flaked coconut and candy-coated chocolate pieces across the top as evenly as you can.
4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the top looks lightly golden and the mixture is set around the edges.
5. Let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes before scooping or cutting into portions and serving.
Variations & Tips
Patriotic berry version: Scatter a few chopped dried strawberries or freeze-dried blueberries over the top before baking for even more red and blue color and a little fruity flavor.
Pan tip: A small casserole dish works best so the mixture bakes up with enough thickness to hold together. If you spread it in too large a dish, it can turn out thin and extra crumbly.
Cooling tip: If you want cleaner slices, let the dessert cool completely before cutting. For a more spoonable treat, serve it slightly warm.
Coconut swap: If your family is not fond of coconut, you can use an equal amount of miniature marshmallows instead, though the top will be softer and gooier.