These simple 4th of July cookies make the perfect party treats! Using only basic kitchen ingredients, these fun sugar cookies are a great addition to any 4th of July celebration or dessert table!
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It’s that time of year again! Summer is near, the pool is calling, and America’s favorite holiday is quickly approaching — the Fourth of July!
Every year, we delight in celebrating Independence Day with our closest friends and family members! We love to host big backyard barbecues, full of games, great food, and of course – FIREWORKS!
In light of this year’s celebration, we thought it would be a great time to break out this incredibly easy Fourth of July Sugar Cookie recipe. Decorated in our nation’s beloved colors – red, white & blue – and adorned with dazzling firework designs, these festive cookies are exactly what you need to get your neighborhood block party ‘POP’ing!
This recipe will walk you through the simple steps of creating your own mouth-watering sugar cookies, complete with the perfect patriotic decorations! Our version uses ready-to-bake refrigerated Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough, but you can also follow our favorite sugar cookie recipe to get the perfect, homemade soft sugar cookie dough. Or, you can try our gluten-free sugar cookie recipe here. Whichever route you choose will produce great results!
Don’t miss out on the decorating instructions below, either! Who knew there were so many easy cookie decorating hacks that only require an icing bottle, icing tip, and a toothpick?! It’s seriously SO easy, you’re going to want to try all methods while decorating your own sugar cookies.
This recipe isn’t just for the Fourth of July, though, and it can also be used for Memorial Day, Labor Day, or any other celebrations! Let’s get started making a totally unforgettable Fourth of July treat that everyone will love!
You May Also Like These Other Fun Fourth Of July Recipes!
Fourth of July Sugar Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to get started making an easy treat for your next 4th of July party!
Ingredient List for Independence Day Cookies:
- Pillsbury Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough*
- All-Purpose Flour
- Powdered Sugar
- Meringue Powder
- Room-Temperature Water
- Gel Food Coloring
- Decorating Supplies
*NOTE: You can also use your favorite homemade sugar cookie recipe!
Supplies Needed for Fourth of July Cookies:
- Mixing Bowls
- Stand Mixer
- Rolling Pin
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Wire Rack
- Baking Sheet
- Icing Bottles
- Cookie Cutters
- Toothpick
- Icing Tips
Now, let’s get to baking!
How to Make Delicious Patriotic Cookies:
Follow these easy directions to make your own festive 4th of July cookies this year!
Start out by combining the dough and flour in a large bowl. Then, roll out the dough to ¼ inch thickness.
Cut out cookie shapes using your favorite cookie cutters. Choose any shape you want, firework cookies never fail!
Bake on prepared cookie sheets at 350ºF for eight minutes (or until the edges start to brown!).
To start making your icing, combine the sugar and meringue powder in a mixer.
Add eight tablespoons of water to your mixture. Using the whisk attachment, continue beating for one minute on low speed.
Continue to add water to your mixture until you achieve the desired consistency of icing. Add one tablespoon at a time until the icing slowly drizzles from the whisk when lifted. If the icing is too hard, add more water one drop at a time. If it is too runny, add more icing sugar one teaspoon at a time.
NOTE: You can also opt to add flavoring to your icing such as a small amount (approximately 1/2 tsp) of almond extract or vanilla extract, but we recommend ONLY adding flavoring to the colored icing as the extracts tend to change the color of the white icing to an off-white. When adding extracts, you will also want to add a bit more powdered sugar to keep it the right consistency.
Once you’ve reached the perfect consistency, separate the icing into small mixing bowls and add desired food coloring.
Mix well. Then, pour the icing into icing bottles or piping bags.
Voila! We’re almost done, now it’s time to decorate your delicious patriotic cookie!
RELATED: Free 4th of July SVG Files
Using a toothpick, poke any bubbles and gently direct icing into any holes until you have a smooth surface of icing.
The icing should completely dry at room temperature for at least four hours before adding any layered piping details to the top. However, some of the following designs require the icing to remain wet. So, before allowing these to dry, make sure you’ve decided on your finishing details from the choices provided below!
Different Cookie Decorations You Can Try:
Fourth of July cookies are so much fun once fully decorated! They’ll look great decorated with blue jimmies, star sprinkles, or even 4th of July m&m candies.
Here are some decoration ideas you can try this Independence Day that kids and adults alike will love!
Polka Dots
To make polka dots, before the flooded area dries, add dots of icing with desired colors. You can even add some white chocolate chips in there too!
Fireworks
Before the same area dries, drop one large drop of icing in whichever color you like. Use a toothpick to drag the icing from the dot into the flooded area to make an awesome firework shape!
Drop a smaller dot in the same spot, then use a toothpick to draw once again. This will produce a realistic sparkle effect for the fireworks. Pretty!
Even MORE Sugar Cookie Decorating Ideas:
Plaid Pattern
Allow the flooded area to dry completely. Then, simply add stripes of icing to the cookie to create a stripe or plaid pattern.
Candy
If you want to add candy to your 4th of July cookies, just glue the pieces to the cookie with icing after they are dried. You can also add blue sprinkles or blue m&m candies and red sugar sprinkles this way, too!
Edible Marker
Before using an edible marker on the icing, allow them to completely harden for at least four hours. You could write “Happy 4th” on your cookies, or even draw an American flag!
What Kind of Food Coloring Should I Use?
We suggest using gel food coloring. It usually has more vibrant colors than liquid food coloring, so the colors will really pop! Just make sure to stick with patriotic food colors to stick with the holiday theme!
How Do I Stop My Meringue Cookies From Cracking?
This tends to happen when the oven is too hot. You may want to check the temperature of your oven with a thermometer before baking your meringue to ensure that it is at the proper temperature.
How Long Can I Store These Sugar Cookies?
These cookie can last up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container.
RELATED: Red, White & Blue Lanterns
Easy Sugar Cookie Printable Instructions
Homemade 4th Of July Cookies
Equipment:
What You’ll Need:
- 16.5 Oz Pack Pillsbury Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough
- 1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Meringue Powder
- 8-12 Tbsp Room-Temperature Water
- Gel Food Coloring
Instructions:
Making Sugar Cookies
- Start out by combining the dough and flour in a large bowl. Then, roll out the dough to ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut out cookie shapes using your favorite cookie cutters. Choose any shape you want, firework cookies never fail!
- Bake on prepared cookie sheets at 350ºF for eight minutes (or until the edges start to brown!).
Making Icing
- To start making your icing, combine the sugar and meringue powder in a mixer.
- Add eight tablespoons of water to your mixture. Using the whisk attachment, continue beating for one minute on low speed.
- Continue to add water to your mixture until you achieve the desired consistency of icing. Add one tablespoon at a time until the icing slowly drizzles from the whisk when lifted. If the icing is too hard, add more water one drop at a time. If it is too runny, add more icing sugar one teaspoon at a time.
- Once you’ve reached the perfect consistency, separate the icing into small mixing bowls and add desired food coloring.
- Mix well. Then, pour the icing into icing bottles or piping bags.
Decorating Options for Cookies
- First, line around the edge of the design with icing and then fill in the middle.
- Using a toothpick, poke any bubbles and gently direct icing into any holes until you have a smooth surface of icing.
- The icing should completely dry at room temperature for at least four hours before adding any layered piping details to the top. However, some of the following designs require the icing to remain wet. So, before allowing these to dry, make sure you’ve decided on your finishing details from the choices provided below!
ZIGZAG DESIGN
- Before the flooded area dries, add stripes of different colored icing layered one on top of the other, and then drag a toothpick through them. This is my personal favorite!
POLKA DOTS
- To make polka dots, before the flooded area dries, add dots of icing with desired colors. You can even add some white chocolate chips in there too!
FIREWORKS
- Before the same area dries, drop one large drop of icing in whichever color you like. Use a toothpick to drag the icing from the dot into the flooded area to make an awesome firework shape!
- Drop a smaller dot in the same spot, then use a toothpick to draw once again. This will produce a realistic sparkle effect for the fireworks. Pretty!
PLAID PATTERN
- Allow the flooded area to dry completely. Then, simply add stripes of icing to the cookie to create a stripe or plaid pattern.
CANDY
- If you want to add candy to your 4th of July cookies, just glue the pieces to the cookie with icing after they are dried.
EDIBLE MARKER
- Before using an edible marker on the icing, allow them to completely harden for at least four hours. You could write “Happy 4th” on your cookies, or even draw an American flag!
Notes:
If you enjoyed this easy recipe, be sure to also check out these other 4th of July recipes, games, and more! Pin this tasty cookie recipe for later so you’ll always have it on hand for your next patriotic celebration!
Check Out These Other Fourth of July Ideas!
Heidi Kundin has captivated the hearts of millions with her colorful and inspiring approach to crafting, celebrations, and family fun. With over 15 years of experience, Happiness is Homemade has become a must-visit destination for those seeking quick and easy creative ideas and last-minute solutions. Heidi’s warm personality shines through her posts, inviting readers to join her on a creative journey that’s fun, rewarding, and achievable. Heidi is also the author of Homemade Bath Bombs & More and DIY Tie-Dye.