Celebrate Independence Day with these festive 4th of July Cookies—colorful, buttery sugar cookies decorated in red, white, and blue. Perfect for picnics, parties, or fireworks night, these cookies are as delicious as they are patriotic. With simple ingredients and eye-catching decorations, they’re a fun baking project for both kids and adults.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

all-purpose floursugarunsalted buttervanilla extractalmond extracteggsbaking powderbaking sodasaltred and blue food coloringwhite chocolate or royal icingred, white, and blue sprinkles

directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms.

Divide the dough into three portions. Leave one plain, color one red, and the other blue using food coloring.

Chill the dough portions for 20-30 minutes for easier handling.

Roll out each colored dough separately between sheets of parchment paper, then layer and gently press together if creating swirled or tri-color patterns.

Use cookie cutters (stars, circles, flags) to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden.

Cool the cookies completely before decorating.

Drizzle with white chocolate or pipe with royal icing. Top with sprinkles while icing is still wet.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 30 cookies.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 8-10 minutes
Decorating and cooling time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

Use a sugar cookie base with lemon or orange zest for a citrusy twist.
Add edible glitter or metallic stars for an extra festive sparkle.
Make sandwich cookies by filling with vanilla frosting or marshmallow fluff.
Shape dough into pinwheels or marbled tie-dye for a unique presentation.

storage/reheating

Store 4th of July Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 10 days or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months.
Allow frozen cookies to come to room temperature before serving. Avoid reheating decorated cookies.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage.

Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling helps the cookies keep their shape and makes handling easier.

Can I skip the food coloring?
Yes, but the cookies won’t have the signature red, white, and blue look. Natural dyes can be substituted.

What kind of icing works best?
Royal icing gives a neat, hard finish, while melted white chocolate adds a delicious creamy touch.

Are these cookies suitable for kids to decorate?
Absolutely! They’re a fun and easy project for all ages.

What if I don’t have cookie cutters?
Use a knife to cut simple shapes or roll dough into balls and flatten slightly before baking.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe scales well for larger gatherings.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is preferred for flavor, but margarine can be used if needed.

Can I use a gluten-free flour?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for best results.

How do I keep the colors from blending?
Chill dough between steps and handle gently when layering or swirling colors.

Conclusion

4th of July Cookies are a festive way to show your patriotic spirit while indulging in a sweet treat. With their bright colors, soft texture, and endless decorating possibilities, they’re sure to be a crowd favorite at any summer celebration. Make them your own and enjoy the fun of baking for America’s birthday!