Delicious 4th of July Cookies You’ll Want to Make Every Year
There’s something so nostalgic and joyful about the 4th of July — the BBQs, fireworks, red-white-and-blue everything, and of course, all the sweet treats that make the day extra festive. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, heading to a picnic, or just looking for something cute and patriotic to snack on while watching the fireworks, cookies are always a hit. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for both kids and adults.
I don’t know about you, but cookies are my go-to dessert when I want something that feels a little celebratory but isn’t a ton of work. And for the 4th of July, there are so many ways to get creative — from star-shaped sugar cookies to red velvet whoopie pies and even cookies that look like little American flags.
The best part? You don’t have to be a professional baker to pull these off. Most of these recipes are beginner-friendly, and you can even get the kids involved for a fun holiday activity.
So if you’re looking to add a little sweetness (and a lot of color) to your Independence Day spread, here are ten cookie recipes that are as fun to look at as they are to eat. Ready to dive into some festive baking? Let’s go!
10 Easy 4th of July Cookies
1. Red, White & Blue M&M Cookies
These soft and chewy cookies are packed with patriotic-colored M&Ms and white chocolate chips. They’re simple, colorful, and perfect for sharing. The red, white, and blue candies make them instantly festive without needing any extra decorating skills.
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups red, white, and blue M&Ms
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then stir in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and M&Ms, reserving a few for topping.
- Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each dough ball for that bakery-style look.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden but centers are still soft.
- Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
2. Firecracker Sugar Cookies
These classic sugar cookies are cut into stars and topped with vibrant red and blue royal icing. They’re crisp around the edges, soft in the middle, and absolutely perfect for decorating with kids.
Servings: 20 cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour (plus cooling)
Ingredients:
For the cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
For the icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp light corn syrup
- Food coloring (red and blue)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla, and mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
- Once dough forms, divide in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
- Cut out star shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just turning golden. Let cool completely.
- For the icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup until smooth. Divide and tint with food coloring.
- Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to decorate cookies with stars, stripes, or fireworks patterns.
3. 4th of July Crinkle Cookies
These red and blue crinkle cookies are soft, fudgy, and coated in powdered sugar for that perfect crackled top. Super easy to make, and they look like little firework bursts!
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1 box blue velvet or vanilla cake mix + blue food coloring
- 2 large eggs (for each mix)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil (for each mix)
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions:
- In two separate bowls, prepare each cake mix with 2 eggs and ⅓ cup oil. For the vanilla, add enough blue food coloring to achieve a deep hue.
- Mix until the dough forms. Chill for 15 minutes if the dough is too sticky.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls, roll them in powdered sugar until completely coated.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cracks appear and edges are set.
- Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
4. Patriotic Pinwheel Cookies
These spiral sugar cookies are eye-catching with their red, white, and blue layers. They’re surprisingly easy to make with a little rolling and chilling!
Servings: 30 cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 2 hours (includes chilling)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flour
- Food coloring: red and blue
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar, then beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually add in flour. Divide the dough into 3 equal parts.
- Leave one part plain, dye one red, and the last blue.
- Roll each color into a rectangle between sheets of wax paper.
- Stack the layers: red on the bottom, then white, then blue. Gently press together and roll into a log.
- Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Slice into ¼ inch rounds and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes. Let cool before serving.
5. Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
These soft, cake-like cookies are filled with strawberry chunks and a hint of vanilla. Drizzle with white chocolate for a festive flair!
Servings: 18 cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- White chocolate for drizzling
Instructions:
- Toss chopped strawberries with 1 tbsp sugar. Set aside to macerate.
- Cream butter and ¾ cup sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to wet. Gently fold in strawberries.
- Drop dough onto lined cookie sheets.
- Bake at 350°F for 12–14 minutes.
- Cool, then drizzle with melted white chocolate.
6. American Flag Cookie Bars
This one’s a crowd-pleaser! Sugar cookie dough baked into bars, then topped with vanilla frosting and fresh blueberries and strawberries to resemble the American flag.
Servings: 12 bars
Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 roll of sugar cookie dough (or homemade)
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting or vanilla frosting
- ½ cup blueberries
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
Instructions:
- Press sugar cookie dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Spread a generous layer of frosting on top.
- Use blueberries in the top-left corner for stars.
- Arrange strawberries in rows for stripes.
- Chill for 15 minutes before slicing into bars.
7. 4th of July Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery shortbread cookies filled with red and blue jam — simple, pretty, and absolutely delicious.
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup raspberry jam
- ½ cup blueberry jam
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla.
- Stir in flour until dough forms.
- Roll dough into balls and place on lined baking sheets.
- Press a thumbprint into each cookie.
- Fill centers with jam (half red, half blue).
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden on edges.
8. Sparkler Pretzel Cookies
These combine sweet and salty in a festive bite — sugar cookies topped with white chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks that look like sparklers.
Servings: 20 cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
- Sugar cookie dough (store-bought or homemade)
- White chocolate chips
- Pretzel sticks
- Red and blue sprinkles
Instructions:
- Bake sugar cookies and let cool.
- Melt white chocolate and dip pretzel sticks halfway.
- Immediately coat dipped part in sprinkles.
- Press one pretzel into the center of each cookie.
- Let set before serving.
9. Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
These sandwich cookies have a red velvet base and a tangy cream cheese filling. A decadent twist on the traditional whoopie pie!
Servings: 12 sandwich cookies
Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
Cookies:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil to form dough.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls and bake 10–12 mins.
- Cool completely.
- Beat filling ingredients until smooth.
- Spread filling on one cookie, top with another to sandwich.
10. No-Bake Oreo Firework Truffles
Crushed Oreos, cream cheese, and patriotic sprinkles come together in these easy, no-bake treats that taste like cake pops without the hassle.
Servings: 24 truffles
Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes + chilling
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of Oreos
- 6 oz cream cheese
- White chocolate chips
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions:
- Pulse Oreos into fine crumbs. Mix with softened cream cheese.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and chill for 20 minutes.
- Melt white chocolate, then dip each ball and place on wax paper.
- Add sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
- Chill until firm.
There you have it — ten fun, festive, and delicious 4th of July cookie recipes to make your celebration a little sweeter. Whether you’re going all out with decorated sugar cookies or keeping it simple with no-bake truffles, there’s something here for every skill level and style. So gather your ingredients, grab your apron, and get ready to bake up a little patriotic joy. Happy 4th!