With the Fourth of July right around the corner, you may be struggling to decide on the perfect side dish to bring to your picnic or BBQ. With a vested interest in all things sweet, I've put together a list of my 5 favorite sweet appetizers & desserts, all of which are quick and easy to prepare. Any one of these options is sure to be a hit at your Fourth of July party!

Bachelorette: Season 10, Episode 6
---SPOILER ALERT---

On tonight's episode of The Bachelorette, Andi took the guys on a romantic date in Italy... to take a lie detector test. While it might be a fun, random game to play with your friends or your significant other on a boring evening, it seemed inappropriate in this situation. When you're in a relationship with 8 men, and you constantly emphasize the importance of honesty, it sends a pretty big message that you don't practice what you preach. 

I know this because I've personally experienced the beauty of honesty and truth in a relationship...

Crust. It's always been my favorite part of a pie. In the past, I've even gone so far as to scrape out the fruity pie filling, just so that I could enjoy the flaky, crusty goodness all on its own. Why don't we all do ourselves a favor and just skip the time consuming, less-rewarding pie filling nonsense. When I was younger, my mom started making these pie crust chips, in bite-sized little crisps. Taking only about 15 minutes to prepare, these little treats are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

One of my favorite treats anytime in the year is Strawberry Shortcake, but it's particularly perfect as a spring or summer dessert. And when you make them bite-sized, they are great for all kinds of warm-weather events: graduation parties, showers, wedding parties, reunions, or even a backyard tea party. 

Start by cutting all the strawberries up into small cubes and mix with sugar. Then, leave the mixture to chill in the fridge while you mix the dough.