I tried 4 patriotic fast food promotions, and the best one captured the spirit of America's 250th birthday

As America gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, many fast-food chains are marking the occasion the way they know best: with limited-time desserts loaded with red, white, blue, and plenty of sugar.

I taste-tested patriotic dessert promotions from McDonald’s, Burger King, Krispy Kreme, and Wienerschnitzel to see which chains delivered a worthy tribute to the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Some leaned heavily on festive colors or flavors, others on nostalgic Americana.