These 4th of July Sugar Cookies are a Must Make!

These soft and delicious 4th of July Cookies will be the star of your dessert table! Topped with homemade red, white, and blue buttercream frosting and sprinkles, these patriotic cookies are adorable and oh-so-yummy!

The Best 4th Of July Cookies 

These yummy and soft loft-house style Red White and Blue cookies are a recipe I make every time I get the chance! The patriotic colored icing makes them perfect for all the summer parties and get-togethers.

If you are headed to 4th of July gathering, you need to take these cookies. (Especially if there are little ones present – they can’t resist the brightly colored frosting and sprinkles.)

If you’re pressed for time, of course you could always just make sugar cookies from a pre-made roll you buy from the store, but this recipe is truly one of the best soft sugar cookie recipes out there.  

If you have kids who are old enough to toss on an apron let them help whip up the cookie dough, frost, and more. Cookies are a fun way to teach them how to navigate in the kitchen.

In fact, I should probably disclose, I did not even make this particular batch of cookies. My 13 year old made and decorated them all by herself! (All I did was photograph and eat, lol.)

Ingredients Needed to Make This Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe

Want to make a batch of these cookies? Here are the ingredients to add to your shopping list. (scroll to the bottom for the printable list)

Cookies

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt

Frosting:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
• vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp milk
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Red and blue food coloring
• Sprinkles

How To Make 4th Of July Cookies 

(You can print out the recipe card if you scroll down) 

1. Start by creaming your butter and sugar. Then add sour cream and eggs. Once that is mixed well pour in your vanilla. 
2. Grab a small bowl and add in your dry ingredients and mix it up. 
3. Then slowly add-in in the dry ingredients and mix until it is incorporated. Don’t over-mix or it will make cookies more dense and chewy rather than the soft loft-house style we are going for.
4. Chill the dough for at least an hour. 
5. Bake the cookies at 350° F for 8 to 10 minutes. DO NOT OVER-BAKE- you want your cookies soft, not crispy.! Oven rack position and baking pan will affect the cook time, so keep an eye on your cookie, starting at the 7 minute mark. (My prettiest cookies came with using a silpat mat and baking stone.) Dark baking sheets will make for a more brown cookie bottom.
6. Frost the cookies with your homemade butter cream (recipe in card at the bottom of the post) or using the short cut method found below. Or if you are a fan of royal icing, here is a great royal icing recipe.

 

How To Decorate Your 4th Of July Sugar Cookies 

This is where these cookies get fun. Feel free to decorate your 4th of July cookies exactly how you would like. Make a firework design, flag, or even a tie-dye style look. 

The best part is you can make these cookies exactly how you want. 

Of course, you don’t have to just use this recipe for the patriotic holidays, just change up the icing colors and you can have cookies for Easter, St Patrick’s Day or even Christmas!

 

Short Cut Icing Tip

So not everyone is the best at making and decorating with icing and frosting. If that’s you, here is a tip:

You can use store-bought vanilla frosting. Add the frosting to a bowl or stand mixer, and use powdered sugar to thicken it up. Just add a tablespoon of the powdered sugar at a time and whip until the frosting gets to your desired thickness. Then divide the icing into three bowls and add in your food coloring. 

It is a simple way to get thicker homemade-looking frosting, without all the work. No one will ever know! 

 

Do I Have to Chill the Cookie Dough?

You need to refrigerate your sugar cookie dough, to get it nice and firm. With most sugar cookie dough, you will find that if you just drop and bake they flatten out too much. Chilling the dough will help give you that perfect soft sugar cookie you want, that has some thickness to it. I also helps to keep the dough from being too sticky.

 

How Long Will These Soft Red White and Blue Cookies Last 

You need to store your cookies in an airtight container. They will store for around three days. You can freeze your cookies if you don’t plan to eat them right away. Just place in a proper freezer container and store for 2-3 months.  I recommend thawing the cookies in the fridge before bringing to room temperature.

 

Craving More Sweet 4th of July Recipes?

• Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream | This is the perfect ice cream to spoon up for a chilled dessert. Fresh berries in every bite that will totally be a delight to enjoy on a hot summer day. 
• No-Bake Blueberry Pie | Here is another fruit-filled dessert. This pie is crazy simple to make and these studded blueberries are perfectly sweet for your enjoyment. 
• Strawberry Trifle | Feel free to add in other berries to get that full red, white and blue look. This trifle is a super easy dessert that is great for parties, weeknight desserts, and entertaining guests. 
• Easy Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Sandwiches | Want something super easy? You can’t beat these sprinkle-dipped, Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are made using a store-bought ice cream sandwich!
• Mini Bunting for Your 4th of July Celebration | Print out this adorable mini cake bunting to decorate your desserts!

 

If you end up making these cookies, be sure to come back and let us know how it went, or tag me on Instagram with your photos using #scatteredmomrecipes!

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