With just a few pantry ingredients and festive star-shaped sprinkles, you can whip up a batch of these 4th of July Cookies in no time.
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or heading to a fireworks display, these slice and bake treats are the perfect addition to your spread of festive 4th of July Food for any Independence Day celebration.
Get ready to impress your friends and family with this classic American dessert!
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These soft and chewy sugar cookies are sure to impress guests of all ages, with their patriotic red, white, and blue decorations and delicious flavor.
Unlike my 4th of July Cake Mix Cookies, this is a homemade slice and bake sugar cookie recipe. Although, I do use a canned cream cheese frosting.
Looking for more 4th of July Dessert Recipes? Try my 4th of July Cake Mix Cookies, 4th of July Chocolate Chip Cookies and even my Oreo Cookie Patriotic Treats. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Pro Tips for Perfect Slice and Bake Cookies Every Time
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cookie Baking Instructions
- Cookie Decorating Instructions
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Storing, Freezing and Thawing Tips
- Recipe FAQ's
- Try these recipes next...
- Celebrate Summer with the Red, White & Delicious Recipes eBook!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Pro Tips for Perfect Slice and Bake Cookies Every Time
- Be sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Chilling the dough is essential for slice and bake cookies because it allows the dough to firm up and hold its shape when sliced.
- When slicing the cookie dough, use a sharp knife. The cookie dough will slice easier without squishing. If you are having trouble slicing, try using a serrated knife. Even a plastic knife will work!
- If you want to add additional toppings to bake into the cookie, roll the cookie dough log in colored sugar, sprinkles or chopped nuts, then slice! This will ensure that each cookie has an even coating.
- Slice and bake cookies are a great option for making ahead of time. If you have extra dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for later use. When you're ready to bake the cookies, simply slice off as many rounds of dough as you need and bake as directed.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Flexible Plastic Cutting Boards for Kitchen Set of 3
Disposable Icing Piping Bags - 12 Inch Pastry Bag Frosting Bags for Cake Cookies Baking Decorating - Plastic Tipless Piping Bags5Pcs Large Piping Tips Set, Stainless Steel Frosting Tips, Cake Decorating Tips for Cupcakes Cakes Cookies DecoratingFourth of July Sprinkles - Patriotic Star Sprinkles 10 Ounce - Fourth of July Confetti Sprinkles - Red White and Blue Sprinkles for Cake Decorating
Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use this recipe year round for any occasion by changing up the decorations!
- Instead of canned frosting, you can make your own with my Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cream the butter with both sugars. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix. Gradually add the flour mixture until combined.
Step 2: Divide the dough into 4 logs and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for an hour or overnight.
Step 3: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the cookie logs into ¼ inch slices, and place on the baking sheets.
Cookie Baking Instructions
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. All the cookies to completely cool on a cooling rack.
Cookie Decorating Instructions
Step 5: Fill a disposable pastry bag fitted with a 1M decorating tip with the frosting.
Step 6: Pipe the frosting onto the cookies and immediately add the patriotic sprinkles.
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Storing, Freezing and Thawing Tips
Refrigerator: Store the cookies in an airtight container with wax paper or parchment paper in between each layer in the refrigerator since the cookies are frosted with cream cheese frosting.
How to Freeze Cookie Dough Logs: Freeze cookie dough logs for fresh cookies anytime — they’ll keep for 3–4 months.
How to Freeze Bake Cookies: Flash-freeze unfrosted cookies them in a single layer on a baking tray for 30 minutes, then store in an airtight container with parchment between layers for up to 1–2 months.
See my Freezing Cookie Dough tips for more!
Thawing Tips: To thaw cookie dough logs, place them in the refrigerator overnight, then slice and bake as directed. For baked cookies, thaw at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, then frost according to the recipe.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Yes. It is recommended that foods that contain cream cheese be refrigerated within 2 hours of making.
In the refrigerator, slice and bake cookie dough lasts for about 3 to 5 days when tightly wrapped. For longer storage, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 to 4 months.
Try these recipes next...
- Check out my other recipe for Sugar Cookie Flag.
- Or you might enjoy this recipe for Easy Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza.
Celebrate Summer with the Red, White & Delicious Recipes eBook!
This beautifully designed digital cookbook features 10 fun and festive dessert recipes perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any red, white, and blue celebration.
📖 Recipe Card
4th of July Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 16 ounce can cream cheese frosting or Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting
- patriotic sprinkles
Method
- Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter with the granulated and brown sugars.
- Add the eggs, then the vanilla and mix until combined.
- On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture until blended.
- Shape the dough into 4 logs. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 60 minutes or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Unwrap the cookie logs and cut into ¼-inch slices. Place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned.
- Remove from the cookie sheets and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack.
- Add the cream cheese frosting to a disposable pastry bag with a 1M decorating tip. Immediately add the sprinkles.
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