21 Ultimate Canada Day Desserts: Festive Red & White Treats & Iconic Canadian Classics
Planning the perfect Canada Day celebration culminates in a truly spectacular and festive dessert. Whether you’re hosting a grand gathering or an intimate family picnic, the sweet finale to your July 1st feast is essential. This comprehensive guide has you covered, offering an incredible selection of Canada Day desserts designed to delight every palate. From convenient last-minute no-bake options and impressive showstopper cakes for a crowd, to delightful red-and-white themed treats and beloved Canadian classics, you’ll find inspiration for every celebratory moment. We’ve gathered 21 exquisite Canada Day Desserts from talented food bloggers to ensure your Canada Day celebration is unforgettable.

In this curated collection of delicious recipes, specifically chosen for July 1st, you’ll discover a vast array of vibrant red and white desserts perfect for embracing the national colours. Explore an exciting mix of refreshing summer desserts, including luscious frozen cheesecakes, sweet strawberry desserts, tart raspberry desserts, and effortless no-bake creations. For those who love to bake, we feature charming Canada Day cupcakes and show-stopping cakes. And, of course, no Canadian celebration would be complete without iconic classic Canadian desserts like the legendary Nanaimo bars, perfectly gooey butter tarts, crispy Beaver Tails, and the uniquely delicious Saskatoon berry pie. We’ve also thoughtfully included a couple of lighter (Weight Watchers friendly) and gluten-free options to cater to diverse dietary needs. If you’re searching for the ultimate Canada Day desserts to elevate your Canada Day party, your quest ends here!
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In this delightful recipe roundup, prepare to discover:
- Effortless No-Bake Desserts for those times when you’re short on time but still want to impress.
- Festive Red and White Treats that perfectly capture the spirit and colours of Canada Day.
- Classic Canadian Desserts, including national treasures like Nanaimo Bars and Butter Tarts.
- Showstopper Cakes designed to wow your guests and become the centerpiece of your celebration.
❤️🤍Red & White Canada Day Desserts
Embrace the vibrant colours of the Canadian flag with these stunning red and white dessert creations. Perfect for July 1st, these treats are not only visually appealing but also bursting with delicious summer flavours.
This incredible No Bake Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake, enriched with white chocolate, is the epitome of a Canada Day dessert with its striking red and white hues. Beyond its patriotic appearance, it’s a lighter cheesecake featuring a rich dark chocolate Oreo cookie crust. The filling is a harmonious blend of creamy white chocolate and a vibrant red rhubarb strawberry marble swirl, creating a beautiful contrast. A subtle hint of licorice from fennel adds a unique twist to this impressive dessert. Best of all, it comes together in just 30 minutes without ever needing to turn on your oven, making it perfect for summer celebrations.
Check out this No Bake Cheesecake Recipe!

Check out this Canada Day Cupcakes recipe!

Elevate your summer dessert game with this Skinny Miami Vice Frozen Cheesecake Recipe, which ingeniously transforms the vibrant flavours of a strawberry daiquiri and piña colada into a spectacular no-bake frozen cheesecake. With its delectable chocolate crust and significantly fewer calories, this cheesecake is also a fantastic Weight Watchers-friendly option. It’s an excellent choice for any summer BBQ, offering a refreshing and visually striking dessert. Its beautiful red and white layers make it an absolutely perfect and patriotic centrepiece for your Canada Day celebration, combining tropical zest with effortless preparation.
Check out this Frozen Cheesecake Recipe!

Check out this Oreo Pops recipe!

Indulge in this show-stopping Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake, a recipe that promises to be a highlight of any summer celebration, including Canada Day. It features luxurious layers of soft, pillowy, and light red velvet cake, perfectly cushioning an effortless no-churn cream cheese ice cream filling. The entire masterpiece is then generously smothered in a dreamy, creamy white chocolate cream cheese icing, creating an irresistible combination of textures and flavours. Its vibrant red and white presentation makes it particularly fitting for patriotic occasions, offering a sophisticated yet easy-to-make dessert option that tastes truly decadent.
Check out this Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake Recipe!

Check out this Strawberry Shortcake Recipe!

Check out this Rice Krispie Treats Recipe!

Check out this Cheesecake Shots Recipe!

These irresistible Mini Cherry Cheesecakes, featuring a delightful Oreo crust, are individual portions baked conveniently in muffin tins. They are quick and easy to make, boasting a luscious cherry pie filling atop a simple yet decadent Oreo cookie base. Perfect as a versatile party food, these mini cheesecakes serve as an ideal individual dessert and finger food for a wide array of occasions. From baby showers and game day gatherings to potlucks, Canada Day festivities, Mother’s Day brunches, New Year’s Eve celebrations, or any joyous occasion, their charming size and delightful flavour make them universally loved.
Check out this Mini Cheesecake Recipe

Check out this Canada Day Cookies recipe!

Check out this Cranachan recipe!

Check out this Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Recipe!

Check out this Eton Mess recipe!

Check out this Strawberry Icebox Cake recipe!

Check out this Truffles Recipe!

Check out this Strawberry Fool Recipe!

This Easy Black Forest Cake recipe offers a simplified approach to a classic dessert, making it accessible for any celebration. While not explicitly red and white, its rich dark chocolate cake, creamy white whipped cream frosting, and vibrant cherry kirsch filling provide a stunning contrast that can easily fit a festive table. This cake is simply decorated, focusing on the delectable combination of deep chocolate, airy whipped cream, and sweet, tangy cherries. It’s a truly luscious treat that delivers sophisticated flavours with a surprisingly straightforward preparation, perfect for impressing guests on Canada Day or any special occasion.
Check out this Black Forest Cake Recipe!

🍁Classic Canadian Desserts
Delve into the heart of Canadian culinary tradition with these iconic desserts. Each recipe tells a story of Canada’s rich heritage and offers a taste of true national comfort.
Check out this Nanaimo Bar Recipe!

This Canadian Butter Tart recipe promises to be the best you’ll ever encounter, offering an easy yet utterly delicious path to creating a classic Canadian treat with a perfectly gooey filling. The filling itself is remarkably simple to prepare, requiring under 20 minutes, and pairs wonderfully with convenient store-bought tart shells or a reliable homemade no-fail pastry. For those who prefer their butter tarts without raisins, there’s also a fantastic pecan butter tart option available, catering to all preferences. These iconic tarts are a cornerstone of Canadian baking and an absolute must-have for any authentic Canada Day celebration, delivering rich, sweet satisfaction in every bite.
Check out this Butter Tart Recipe!

Indulge in the truly Canadian flavour of The Best Saskatoon Berry Pie, featuring an incredibly easy stovetop filling. The secret to its superior taste and texture lies in cooking the Saskatoon berry filling and sauce ahead of time on the stovetop. This crucial step allows the berries to soften beautifully and their natural flavours to meld, resulting in a richer, thicker, and ultimately tastier filling. The subtle hint of almond in this recipe adds a delicious depth of flavour that distinguishes it from any other Saskatoon berry pie you’ve tried. Beyond pie, this versatile filling also makes a superb sauce for topping cheesecake, yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or even for filling pierogies, celebrating a truly unique Canadian fruit.
Check out this Saskatoon Pie Recipe!

These Cinnamon Sugar Beaver Tails are a true, undeniable Canadian classic and a must-try for anyone celebrating Canada Day! This unique fried-dough pastry is skillfully stretched and flattened to resemble the distinctive tail of a beaver, offering a fun and recognizable shape. Once perfectly cooked, it’s generously coated in a delightful mixture of cinnamon and sugar, providing a warm and comforting sweetness. While delicious on its own, it can be customized with various toppings such as sweet jam, rich maple syrup, fluffy whipped cream, or other creative additions. It’s the quintessential Canadian treat, perfect for adding an authentic touch to your July 1st festivities.
Check out this Beaver Tail Recipe!

And if you LOVE Butter Tarts, be sure to try my Butter Tart Ice Cream! This no-churn recipe captures all the gooey, sweet, and buttery goodness of the classic Canadian tart in a refreshing frozen treat, perfect for a hot Canada Day.

🍁What to Serve to Compliment your Canada Day Menu
While delicious desserts are crucial, a well-rounded Canada Day feast includes equally impressive main courses. Hopefully, the weather is beautiful, allowing you to enjoy an outdoor cookout, BBQ, or picnic for Canada Day! If you’re looking for savoury recipes to perfectly complement your festive desserts, consider these crowd-pleasing options:
This Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun (shown below) is an absolute dream for feeding a crowd. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, allowing the beef to slow cook to tender perfection, resulting in flavourful, juicy meat that’s ideal for piling onto soft buns. This hearty dish requires minimal fuss, leaving you more time to enjoy the celebration.

If you’re looking for something a little lighter but still packed with flavour, try these Banh Mi Turkey Dogs for a unique twist on a summer favourite. Or, for a sophisticated salad that’s perfect for a warm day, my Grilled Steak Salad with Feta and Clamato Dressing offers a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Planning a classic Canada Day picnic? For a meal that’s easy to transport and universally loved, this Shortcut Skillet Fried Chicken is crispy, juicy, and incredibly delicious. Pair it with comforting sides like my Healthy Classic Potato Salad for a lighter take on a traditional favourite, or my Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Coleslaw for a vibrant and flavourful crunch. These accompaniments will ensure your picnic spread is nothing short of perfect.
❔ Recipe FAQ’s
For quick and effortless Canada Day treats, our top recommendations are the No-Bake Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake and the Strawberry Parfait (Strawberry Fool). Both require no oven time, are simple to assemble, and can be made ahead, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your celebration. They deliver impressive results with minimal stress!
Absolutely! Many of these Canada Day cakes and cheesecakes actually benefit from being made the day before, as flavours have time to deepen and textures to set. We highly recommend preparing them 24 hours in advance. For desserts that feature fresh whipped cream, such as the Strawberry Shortcake or Eton Mess, it’s generally best to add the whipped cream just before serving to maintain its light and airy texture.
Several recipes in this roundup can be easily adapted to be gluten-free. For instance, the Butter Tarts can be made with a gluten-free pie crust. While traditional Kellogg’s Rice Krispies contain gluten, many other brands offer gluten-free rice crisp cereals, making the Canada Day Rice Krispie Treats adaptable. The Strawberry Fool and Raspberry White Chocolate Truffles are naturally gluten-free, offering delicious options for guests with dietary restrictions.
There you have it – 21 incredible desserts guaranteed to make your Canada Day celebration extra sweet and memorable! Whether your plans involve a small family gathering or a large festive party this year, this diverse collection offers something for everyone. From time-honoured traditional Canadian desserts that speak to the country’s heritage, to convenient no-bake red and white treats that capture the national spirit, these Canada Day desserts are sure to be a resounding hit with all your guests.
We’d absolutely love to know which delicious creation you’re planning to make for your July 1st festivities! Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite, or share any Canada Day dessert traditions you cherish. Happy Canada Day, eh!
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