Happy 4th of July!

Create an explosion as you celebrate the 4th of July with this firecracker of a dessert!

Firecracker Bites

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 cup cold milk

1 package (3.4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding

1-1/2 cups thawed whipped topping, divided

1 package (12 oz.) vanilla wafers

1/2 cup mixed red, white and blue sprinkles

42 pieces red string licorice (1 inch)

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 2 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup whipped topping.

Spoon about 1-1/2 tablespoons pudding mixture onto each of half wafers; cover with remaining wafers to make sandwiches. Freeze 2 hours or until filling is firm.

Spread tops of wafer sandwiches with remaining whipped topping. Dip in sprinkles. Insert licorice piece in top of each for the fuse. Freeze until ready to serve.

Tip on how to fill sandwiches:

Spoon pudding mixture into resealable plastic bag. Cut off small corner from bottom of bag; use to pipe pudding onto wafers. Cover with remaining wafer and continue as directed.