4th of July Cookies weren’t always something I looked forward to. In fact, the first time I saw them at a holiday party, I thought they were just regular sugar cookies with flashy red, white, and blue sprinkles. Nothing special. But that changed one summer when I decided to try making a batch myself using a friend’s recipe. I remember the smell filling the kitchen and the moment I bit into one — soft, buttery, and bursting with festive flavor. That’s when I realized how much love and celebration you can pack into a simple cookie. Since then, 4th of July Cookies have become my favorite tradition. Whether I’m baking for a party or just enjoying a few with iced tea, 4th of July Cookies always bring that perfect spark of joy to the holiday.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare, even for beginners
- Perfect for festive gatherings and patriotic holidays
- Customizable with different colors, shapes, or toppings
- Kid-friendly and fun to decorate
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Can be baked in advance and stored
- Deliciously soft with a buttery, sweet flavor
- Great for gifting or party trays
Want more? Check out my Pinterest for all the best recipes!
Ingredients for 4th of July Cookies
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration
Easy 4th of July Cookies – Step by Step
Get ready to bake delicious 4th of July cookies! This easy recipe guides you step-by-step from mixing dough to decorating with festive red, white, and blue sprinkles. Perfect for beginners and holiday fun, these cookies will bring a tasty patriotic touch to your celebrations. Let’s get started!
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Sprinkle red, white, and blue decorations on top of each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Baking Tips and Creative Variations
- Chill the dough: For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Use room temperature ingredients: This helps the dough mix evenly and produces a better texture.
- Swap vanilla extract: Try almond or lemon extract for a subtle flavor twist.
- Decorate creatively: Use colored sugar, sprinkles, or edible glitter to match your celebration theme.
- Add mix-ins: Incorporate mini chocolate chips or crushed nuts for extra texture.
- Make gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for dietary needs.
- Storage tip: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.
4th of July Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips optional
- 1/2 cup red white & blue sprinkles patriotic-themed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
- Fold in white chocolate chips and patriotic sprinkles.
- Scoop cookie dough onto the baking sheet (about 1 tbsp each) and flatten slightly.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Enjoy your colorful 4th of July treats!