These light and fluffy 4th of July Sugar Cookies are the ultimate celebratory treat! They're soft, chewy sugar cookies topped with rich buttercream frosting and decorated with festive red, white, and blue sprinkles. There’s no better way to honor the 4th of July than with these fun and festive patriotic sugar cookies.
These cookies go well with pretty much anything. They are easy to decorate and perfect to add to your family get-together, picnic, or backyard barbecue. They're guaranteed to please everyone and they will disappear quickly!
With little prep, no chill time, and minimal bake time, you can get in and out of the kitchen in a flash and partake in all the festivities. Or better yet, make them the day before and you’ll be ready to start the celebrations first thing.
For more celebratory treats, try these easy funfetti sugar cookies, delicious lucky charms cookies, or these easy no-bake m&m rice krispie treats. These thumbprint cookies with icing are another customizable holiday cookie.
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Why You'll Love These Cookies
- Simple & easy - Just a few basic ingredients with easy-to-follow instructions.
- Festive - These cookies are extra fun with decorative 4th of July sprinkles!
- Soft & fluffy - Every bite melts in your mouth! They're soft, fluffy, and delicious.
- Gluten-free - The recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free for those following a specific diet, but they're perfect for everyone.
- Kid-friendly - Kids can easily frost the cookies, add the sprinkles or decorate the cookies as they wish.
Ingredients
You only need a few pantry staples for this recipe. Here are some helpful ingredient notes. For all ingredient information, check out the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Butter - Use salted butter to give these cookies a nice and rich texture. Unsalted butter also works, just be sure it is softened first.
- Sugar - Use white granulated sugar to sweeten these sugar cookies.
- Egg - Any kind of egg will work to add structure and form to these cookies.
- Vanilla extract - Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor nicely.
- Baking powder and soda - These give the cookies their fluffiness and rise.
- Gluten-free flour blend - Use gluten-free flour that contains xanthan gum to make these gluten-free sugar cookies.
- Powdered sugar - Also known as confectioner’s sugar, this is what gives the frosting its structure as well as its sweetness.
- Almond extract - This is optional for the frosting; you can use vanilla extract if you don’t have almond extract or if you want to ensure the cookies are nut-free.
- Sprinkles - Choose festive sprinkles for decorating and read the label to ensure they are gluten-free.
Step-by-Step Instructions
These no-chill cookies mix together in just a few minutes. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to make 4th of July sugar cookies:
STEP 1: Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar for 1-2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and the vanilla and mix until smooth and evenly combined.
STEP 2: Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda to the bowl with the wet ingredients.
STEP 3: Stir until the dry ingredients are barely combined and a thick cookie dough forms. Be careful not to over-mix the dough so the cookies stay soft!
STEP 4: Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to form evenly-sized balls of dough. Place them on the parchment-lined cookie sheet with 1-2 inches between each dough ball.
STEP 5: Bake the cookies at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set. The cookies may look pale, but this is good. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a cooling rack.
STEP 6: Next, make the frosting. Combine all the ingredients to make the frosting in a large bowl and use a hand mixer to blend it until smooth. It should be thick, but spreadable. Add milk or water to thin the frosting if necessary.
STEP 7: Use a knife or piping bag to spread the frosting onto the cooled cookies. A thick layer gives them an even sweeter taste.
STEP 8: While the frosting is still wet, decorate with festive sprinkles and gently press them into the frosting to help them stick. Enjoy!
Expert Baking Tips
- Take the butter out of the fridge an hour before so it has time to soften.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for soft cookies, even baking, and to prevent over-spreading in the oven.
- Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set. Be careful not to bake them too long, or they'll be crispy instead of chewy and soft.
- Be sure to add the red, white, and blue sprinkles right after you frost the cookies so they stick. If the frosting is dry the sprinkles will fall off.
Easy Sugar Cookie Variations
You can easily adapt this recipe and make the cookies even more fun.
- Add food coloring to the cookie dough or the frosting if you want to make them even more colorful and festive for the holiday.
- Drizzle the cookies with chocolate instead of frosting. White chocolate or milk chocolate drizzle would both taste great on top of the sugar cookies.
- Use a cookie cutter and make fun shapes out of these July 4th sugar cookies. A star cookie cutter is perfect, but any shape works.
If you love chocolate, give these 3-ingredient peanut butter blossoms a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make sugar cookies a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months before serving them. If you’ll be serving them in a few days, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, keeping them in the freezer is the best way to preserve their freshness.
Decorated sugar cookies will stay soft for 5-7 days in an airtight container on the kitchen counter.
Yes, if you have leftover icing it is best to store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Yes! While Pillsbury cookies are easy in a pinch, these 4th of July sugar cookies have a much better flavor, softer texture, and more impressive design for your event or gathering. The homemade taste is worth it!
Storing & Freezing
These sugar cookies store nicely for 5-7 days in an airtight container on the kitchen counter. If it is warm or humid in your kitchen, keep the cookies in the refrigerator.
To freeze the sugar cookies, place them in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months. Let them thaw on the counter for at least an hour before enjoying them again.
More Easy No-Chill Cookie Recipes
Did you make these gluten-free 4th of July sugar cookies? Please leave a star rating and review below. This really supports my blog and helps other readers. Share your donuts on Instagram or TikTok and remember to tag me! To stay updated with the newest recipes, follow me on Pinterest and join my email list. Enjoy!
Recipe
4th of July Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- 1 Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- 1 Cookie Scoop
- 1-2 Large Baking Sheets
Ingredients
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
- 6 tablespoons salted vegan butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (or all-purpose flour)
- ½ cup festive sprinkles
Frosting
- 3 tablespoons unsalted vegan butter room temperature
- 2 ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons non-dairy milk or water
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional, but recommended
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar for 1-2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until smooth.6 tablespoons salted vegan butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the baking powder, baking soda, and gluten-free flour. Mix gently until just combined and a cookie dough forms. Be careful not to over-mix!½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) to form evenly-sized balls of cookie dough. Place them on the prepared baking sheet 1-2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly golden. They will be pale in color, but don’t over-bake them! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. While they cool, make the frosting.
- Add all the frosting ingredients to a large bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to mix the frosting until it combines into a smooth, thick, but spreadable consistency. You can add slightly more milk or sugar as needed.3 tablespoons unsalted vegan butter, 2 ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons non-dairy milk, ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Use a knife or piping bag to spread the frosting evenly on top of the cooled cookies. Add festive sprinkles while the icing is still wet. Enjoy!½ cup festive sprinkles
Amy says
These sugar cookies are truly sooo good! I made them for my 4th of July party and everyone loved them - the kids especially! The frosting wasn't too sweet which I appreciated. The sprinkles on top were so much fun and festive for the holiday. A delicious cookie recipe - thank you!!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Amy,
Thanks for making these patriotic sugar cookies for your 4th of July party! I'm so glad to hear they were such a big hit with the kids. Enjoy!
Kristen says
Super yummy cookies. I make them all year and switch up the sprinkles! The sugar cookies are so soft and the frosting isn't overly sweet. So quick and easy too. Thanks for a great recipe!
Samantha Ensinger says
Hi Kristen,
I'm glad you are enjoying the cookies! Using different sprinkles is such an easy way to make them fun and festive for any holiday.