These 4th of July cookies are decorated with the colors of the American flag, turning a table into a centerpiece of patriotic celebration.
Summer is in full swing and the Fourth of July is just around the corner. It’s a time for backyard barbecues, pool parties, and of course, delicious desserts.
And what better way to celebrate America’s birthday than with some festive 4th of July sugar cookies?
These tasty treats are sure to add some patriotic flair to your celebrations while satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth.
As we gear up for the festivities, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the history and significance of this special day.
It’s a time for us to come together as a nation, celebrate our freedom, and honor the brave men and women who fought for it.
These red, white, and blue sugar cookies serve as a sweet tribute to this historic event. They embody the colors of the American flag, with some very sassy sprinkles on top.
These delicious treats are not only a delight to the taste buds but also a beautiful addition to your summer spread. So get baking, and enjoy the sweet taste of freedom!
Here’s what you’re going to need for these 4th of July sugar cookies.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- Red and blue gel food coloring
- Assortment of red, white, and blue sprinkles
Tips and Thoughts for This Recipe
Use gel food coloring rather than liquid, as it produces brighter and more vibrant colors.
After the dough is removed from the fridge, it quickly starts warming back up and can become harder to work with.
To ensure the cookies stay round as you cut them, you can either cut them as is and try to re-round them using your fingers, or re-roll the dough a bit after each couple of slices.
These cookies and their colors can be made and changed for any holiday! Such as red and green for Christmas, green and orange for Halloween, etc.
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to a month.
These would be SO cute for a summer bake sale! Get the printable recipe for these cookies below:
4th of July Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg(s)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- Gel food coloring red and blue
- sprinkles Assortment of red, white, and blue
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla and almond extract.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough into three equal parts (about 3/4 cup each).
- Add red gel food coloring to one part and blue gel food coloring to another part, leaving the third part plain. This can be done in your mixer or kneaded with your hands or a spoon.
- Roll each dough ball into a log (each about 12 inches long) and place them together (2 logs on the bottom and 1 log on top in the middle). Gently press the logs together and twist to create a swirled effect.
- Once twisted together, compress the log until it’s 8-9 inches in length and about 2½-3 inches in diameter. Tightly wrap in plastic.
- Chill the dough log in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until firm. To prevent 1 side from being flat, chill dough vertically in a tall cup.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2-inches apart. Top with sprinkles.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are firm.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these red, white, and blue cookies, let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other recipes and posts for the holiday: