Make the 4th unforgettable with a shortcake bar!

For an unforgettable Fourth of July, let guests build their own shortcakes with flaky biscuits, sweet summer fruits and fluffy whipped cream!

1 Bake or buy your biscuits!

The very best shortcakes start with buttermilk biscuits that are tender and flaky with just a kiss of salt! Since biscuits get stale quickly, bake up a batch the morning of your party using a mix like Betty Crocker Bisquick Buttermilk Biscuit Mix or Southern Biscuit L Formula Complete Biscuit Mix— or pick up fresh ones at a bakery or fast food chain like KFC or Popeyes. Plan on one to two biscuits per person and keep them at room temperature until ready to use.

Tip! You can also offer corn biscuits, slices of chocolate poundcake or even halved glazed donuts as tempting alternatives!

2 Prepare fruity fillings!

Strawberries are a must, but almost any fruit makes a scrumptious filling! Just mix the fruit with something acidic (like lemon or lime juice) and sugar and let it sit before assembling. This softens the fruit and releases its juices, which form a delicious “sauce” for your biscuit! A few variations to try:

✤ Red, white and berry! For a perfectly patriotic filling, toss hulled, quartered strawberries and whole blueberries with plain white sugar and lemon juice; chill 30 minutes.

✤ Peaches and mint! Toss sliced fresh peaches with slivered mint, sugar and lemon juice; chill 30 minutes.

✤ Tropical delight! Toss chopped mango, pineapple and kiwi with brown sugar and lime juice; chill 30 minutes. (You can add a splash of rum for a grown-up crowd!)

✤ Smoky strawberries! Brush large, firm strawberries with lemon juice and sprinkle with sugar. Skewer and grill for about a minute or until grill marks appear; let cool. Tip! Balsamic vinegar makes a tasty substitute for the lemon juice.

3 Set up your shortcake bar!

Just before guests arrive, set up everything along a help-yourself buffet. Start with plates and napkins, then a platter of split biscuits followed by your fruit fillings in small bowls and finally a big can or bowl of chilled whipped cream. For anyone who wants a bit of crunch, set out little bowls of mini chocolate chips, slivered almonds, toasted coconut, freeze-dried berries and caramel bits, too. Fun! You can also mix things up by making shortcake kebobs! Simply use a mini biscuit cutter (about 2 inches in diameter) to cut out your biscuits and thread on skewers with strawberries that have been sliced horizontally. Layer spoonfuls of vanilla pudding (it sticks better than whipped cream) in between the layers.

4 Serve fizzy sips!

To balance the rich cream and biscuits, offer carbonated drinks like sparkling sodas or fizzy lemonade.