When it comes to celebrating Independence Day, nothing captures the festive spirit quite like cookies decorated in the colors of red, white, and blue. These 4th of July cookies aren’t just delicious. They’re a fun, colorful, and patriotic way to add something special to your holiday table.
One of the best parts about making 4th of July cookies is that they’re as enjoyable to create as they are to eat. The decorating process gives you the chance to get creative with sprinkles, icing, and fun designs. This lets you showcase your patriotic pride. Kids will love helping out in the kitchen. They can mix the dough, cut the shapes, or add the finishing touches with colorful toppings. It’s a great way to spend quality time together. Moreover, it builds anticipation for the big celebration later in the day.
4th Of July Cookies
Equipment
- 1 tablespoon
- 3 disposable piping bags with a number 2 tip
- 1 Large Star cookie cutter
- 1 Mini Star cookie cutter
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients:
- 3 C flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 C unsalted butter soft
- 1 C granulated sugar
- 1 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 bag tropical Jolly Ranchers separate the white (Pineapple) ones to use in the cookies
- Patriotic star sprinkles
Icing Ingredients:
- 2 egg whites
- 1 C powder sugar
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Cookie Directions:
- Cream the soft butter with the sugar until the mixture is smooth and not grainy to the touch, in a mixing bowl.
- Add eggs and continue to mix.
- Add the vanilla and continue mixing.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
- Continue mixing until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Make the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling wrap completely covering the entire dough ball.
- Put in the refrigerator for about 6 hours or overnight. Check to see if the dough is firm.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Pull the cookie dough out of the refrigerator and let it sit out to soften.
- Put flour out on the cutting board, rub flour on the rolling pin, and work some flour into the batter (if needed).
- Roll the dough out on a cutting board and, using a cookie cutter, begin to shape your cookies.
- Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Take out the smaller star and cut out the center.
- Using a metal spatula, move the cut cookies to the parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Place the cookies on the baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 6 minutes.
- While the cookies are baking, unwrap the candies from the wrappers and set them aside.
- When the timer goes off, pull the cookies out and place 1 candy in the open circle of the cookie.
- Place back into the oven for another 3-4 minutes, or until you see the candy melted (wont take longer then 4 minutes)
- Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 30 minutes before removing them.
Icing Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a stand mixer bowl.
- If the icing looks a little soupy, add in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
- Mix on medium speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
- Split the icing into two bowls.
- Add a few drops of Super Red food dye to 1 bowl. If you don't like the shade of the color, add 1-2 more drops.
- Add a few drops of blue into the second bowl.
- Leave the third bowl white.
- Scoop some of the icing into the 3 piping bags.
- Using the remaining icing in the bowls, add 2 TBSP water into the bowls to thin out the icing.
- Pour the thinned icing into the squeeze bottles.
Decorating directions
- Take your cooled stained glass cookies and set them onto the cookie sheet.
- Add a few sprinkles into the "glass" part of the bottom cookie.
- Take one of your piping bags and pipe on a line around the cookie part of the bottom cookie.
- Place another cookie on top of the bottom cookie so that the icing becomes a "glue".
- Let the cookie sit for 30 minutes before decorating the top.
- Take the red piping bag and pipe a line on 1/3 of the top of the star.
- Using the White icing, pipe the middle 1/3 of the cookie.
- Using the blue icing pipe a line around the bottom of the cookie.
- Fill in the colors with the matching thinned icing colors.
- Let cookies dry for 2 hours before enjoying!
Nutrition
No matter how you choose to celebrate Independence Day, a batch of festive 4th of July cookies is the perfect way to sweeten the occasion. These cookies fit right in with every tradition. Their bright red, white, and blue designs capture the spirit of the holiday. They offer a treat that both kids and adults can enjoy, too.
What makes them even more special is how easy they are to prepare and share. Baking and decorating can also become part of your holiday fun. Turn the kitchen into a space for laughter, creativity, and memories. Kids can help mix dough, cut fun shapes like stars, or add sprinkles and frosting. This makes the process just as exciting as eating the finished cookies.
Once baked and decorated, they’re simple to pack up and bring along to any event. Whether arranged on a festive platter for a party or bundled up as gifts for friends and neighbors, these cookies are always a hit. Lastly, celebrate the holiday with something sweet, colorful, and unforgettable!