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!
Tips for Making Delicious Cookies
Before you dive into this recipe, I’ve got some tips for you on making the best (and tastiest) cookies. If you’re interested, check them out. Otherwise scroll to the bottom for the recipe.
Use Quality Ingredients
Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best cookie flavor and texture. You’ll for sure want to get fresh eggs, good quality butter, and pure vanilla extract (instead of imitation).
Measure Precisely
Flour is often the main dry ingredient in these cookies. Measure using the scoop-and-level method, as adding too much flour can result in dry baked goods.
Bring Cold Ingredients to Room Temp
Bring ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk to room temperature before mixing. They will incorporate better, resulting in smoother batter and soft cookies. They don’t need to be warm; slightly cool to room temp is fine.
Avoid Overmixing
Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined, or the dry disappears into the wet. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
Chill the Dough
Chilling the cookie dough in the fridge for the specified time (or even overnight) before baking allows the flavors to meld and the fats to solidify. This results in cookies with better flavor and texture. It also prevents them from spreading too much during baking.
Look for Golden Edges
Unless the recipe says otherwise, the edges of the cookies should turn a golden brown while the center remains slightly soft. This balance ensures a chewy texture without overbaking.
Cool Before Transferring
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and avoids them becoming too fragile and crumbling apart.
Remember, practicing and experimenting will help you perfect your cookie baking skills over time. Have fun and enjoy the process of creating delicious baked goods! 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
These red, white, and blue cookies are perfect for the Fourth of July! They're easy to make the day before and then bake, too.
Ingredients
- 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
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
Nutritional information is for two dozen cookies. The recipe may make more.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 112Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 101mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 2g
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: