4th of July sugar cookies transform your summer celebrations into a festive wonderland. Picture star-shaped dough chilled overnight for the perfect tender bite, then crowned with a cloud of creamy vanilla frosting and a shower of patriotic sprinkles in vivid red, white, and blue. Each bite is a playful burst of buttery sweetness, bringing friends and family together under the summer sun. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just craving a nostalgic treat, these cookies promise to light up your dessert table with smiles and spark fun memories. Baked in honor of the Independence Day of the United States, they’re a sweet way to celebrate freedom, tradition, and togetherness. Ready your aprons and get baking—holiday magic awaits!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This 4th of July sugar cookies
- Perfectly soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Vibrant red, white, and blue sprinkles make them festive and fun.
- Easy to make ahead of time—just chill the dough overnight!
- Customizable shapes for any celebration or gathering.
- Deliciously sweet frosting that adds a delightful finish.
4th of July sugar cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Set this mixture aside for later.
- In another large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, softened butter, and butter-flavored shortening together until light and fluffy. This will create a lovely base for your cookies.
- Add the vanilla extract and the whole egg to the butter mixture. Beat until well combined, then add the egg white and mix again until everything is nicely blended.
- Turn the mixer on low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined, ensuring there are no flour pockets left.
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight. This step is crucial for the best cookie texture!
- The next day, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Get ready for baking!
- Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Roll it out on a flat surface to about ½ inch thick. Use floured cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, placing 6 cookies on each baking sheet.
- Place one cookie sheet in the oven at a time and bake for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be firm but not brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened butter and 4 cups of powdered sugar. With the mixer on, drizzle in the heavy cream until the mixture is fluffy. Adjust the cream for your desired consistency.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread the frosting on top and decorate with your favorite red, white, and blue sprinkles. Enjoy your festive treats!
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Fat | 6g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Carbs | 22g |
Ingredients
Gather these delightful ingredients to create delicious 4th of July sugar cookies!
- 2 cups cake flour – for a soft texture
- ½ cup all-purpose flour – to balance the dough
- 1 cup sugar – to sweeten the cookies
- ½ cup salted butter – softened for creaminess
- ¼ cup butter flavored shortening – for added richness
- 1 whole egg – to bind the ingredients
- 1 egg white – for extra lightness
- 1½ tsp baking powder – to help the cookies rise
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar – to stabilize the egg whites
- 3 tsp vanilla extract – for a delightful flavor
- 1 cup salted butter – softened for frosting
- 4 cups powdered sugar – to make the frosting sweet and fluffy
- 1 tsp clear imitation vanilla – for a pure vanilla taste
- 4-5 tbsp heavy cream – to achieve the right frosting consistency
- red, white and blue sprinkles – to decorate and celebrate!
How to Make 4th of July Sugar Cookies
Get ready to celebrate with these delightful 4th of July sugar cookies! With a preparation time of about 20 minutes, a cooking time of 10-12 minutes per batch, and an overnight chilling time for the dough, these cookies are perfect for your festive gatherings.
Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Set this mixture aside for later.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In another large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, softened butter, and butter-flavored shortening together until light and fluffy. This will create a lovely base for your cookies.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the vanilla extract and the whole egg to the butter mixture. Beat until well combined, then add the egg white and mix again until everything is nicely blended.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Turn the mixer on low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined, ensuring there are no flour pockets left.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight. This step is crucial for the best cookie texture!
Step 6: Preheat the Oven
The next day, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Get ready for baking!
Step 7: Roll and Cut the Dough
Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Roll it out on a flat surface to about ½ inch thick. Use floured cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, placing 6 cookies on each baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place one cookie sheet in the oven at a time and bake for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be firm but not brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Step 9: Make the Frosting
In a medium mixing bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened butter and 4 cups of powdered sugar. With the mixer on, drizzle in the heavy cream until the mixture is fluffy. Adjust the cream for your desired consistency.
Step 10: Frost and Decorate
Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread the frosting on top and decorate with your favorite red, white, and blue sprinkles. Enjoy your festive treats!
Recipe Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dessert |
| Cuisine | American |
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 12 minutes |
| Extra Time | 8 minutes (Resting) |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Serves | 24 |
| Best Served | With festive sprinkles! |
Pro Tips for Making 4th of July Sugar Cookies
- Chill the dough overnight for better flavor and texture.
- Use a mix of sprinkles for a festive look.
- Keep the cookie thickness consistent for even baking.
- Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes for fun designs.
How to Serve this 4th of July sugar cookies
- Serve with a glass of refreshing lemonade or iced tea.
- Pair with fresh strawberries or blueberries for a fruity touch.
- Arrange on a festive platter for a colorful dessert table.
- Include them in a picnic basket for a sweet treat outdoors.
- Gift them in a decorative box to friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Store your 4th of July sugar cookies with care to keep them fresh and delicious:
Storing Leftovers
- Place cookies in an airtight container.
- Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Store at room temperature for up to one week.
Freezing
- Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap.
- Place wrapped cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Freeze for up to three months for best quality.
Reheating
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place cookies on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes.
- Check for warmth and softness before serving.
Explore more easy breakfast recipes, quick lunch ideas, cozy dinner meals, tasty snacks, and delightful dessert.
FAQs
Here’s a helpful FAQ about this recipe:
1. Can I make 4th of July sugar cookies ahead of time?
Yes! These sugar cookies are perfect for making ahead. You can chill the dough overnight (which even improves the flavor and texture), or bake and frost the cookies a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5–7 days. For longer storage, freeze them (see freezing tips below).
2. How do I keep my sugar cookies soft and chewy?
To keep your sugar cookies soft:
Chill the dough overnight before baking—it helps prevent spreading and keeps the texture tender.
Don’t overbake. Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but not browned.
Store in an airtight container with parchment between layers to preserve moisture.
3. Can I freeze 4th of July sugar cookies?
Absolutely! You can freeze both decorated and undecorated cookies:
– Wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap.
– Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
– Freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw, let them come to room temperature unwrapped on a wire rack.
4. What kind of sprinkles should I use for patriotic cookies?
Use red, white, and blue sprinkles in stars, jimmies, or nonpareils for a festive look. You can find patriotic-themed sprinkle mixes at most baking supply stores around summer holidays. Be sure to decorate after frosting when the surface is still soft so the sprinkles stick well.
5. Can I make these cookies without shortening?
Yes, but the texture will change slightly. Butter-flavored shortening helps keep the cookies soft and tender. If you don’t have it, substitute with more softened butter (same amount), but note that the cookies may spread a little more and be slightly less tender.
Final Thoughts
These 4th of July sugar cookies are not just a treat; they’re a celebration! With their vibrant colors and delightful taste, they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends. Baking them is a breeze, and the joy of decorating is even sweeter. So roll up your sleeves, gather your loved ones, and enjoy this simple yet rewarding recipe!