Celebrate summer’s most patriotic holiday with these festive July Sugar Cookies. These soft, chewy cookies are speckled with red, white, and blue sprinkles, making them a perfect addition to your Fourth of July dessert table. Simple to make and full of classic vanilla flavor, they’re a delightful treat for all ages.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Eye-catching patriotic colors that make any celebration more festive
- Soft, chewy texture with just the right amount of sweetness
- Easy-to-follow recipe suitable for beginner bakers
- Make-ahead dough for convenience and flexibility
- Kid-friendly recipe and decorating activity
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Gently fold in the sprinkles.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll into balls.
- Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers are just set.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Servings and Timing
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time (optional): 1 hour
- Bake Time: 9–11 minutes
- Total Time: 30–90 minutes depending on chill time
Variations
- Swap vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract for a flavor twist
- Mix in white chocolate chips or dried cranberries
- Use cookie cutters and decorate with royal icing for a more detailed design
- Adjust sprinkle colors for other holidays or themes
Storage/Reheating
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
- To freeze, place baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months
- Reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds for a fresh-out-of-the-oven feel
FAQs
How do I keep my sugar cookies soft?
Avoid overbaking and store them in an airtight container. You can also place a slice of bread in the container to help retain moisture.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, the dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling helps prevent spreading and enhances flavor, but it’s optional if you’re short on time.
What kind of sprinkles should I use?
Use jimmies or nonpareils that don’t bleed color. Avoid sugar crystals, which may dissolve during baking.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter gives better flavor and texture, but margarine can be used in a pinch. Avoid tub-style margarine as it contains more water.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Check that your butter isn’t overly soft or melted, and consider chilling the dough before baking.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, portion the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
Can I bake these cookies without sprinkles?
Absolutely. They’ll still taste great and can be decorated later with frosting or icing.
How do I make these cookies gluten-free?
Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
Are these cookies good for shipping?
Yes, they hold up well. Wrap them individually or separate with wax paper in a sturdy container.
Conclusion
July Sugar Cookies are a fun, festive, and flavorful way to celebrate Independence Day or any summer event. With their colorful presentation and soft texture, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Easy to make and even easier to love, these cookies bring holiday cheer in every bite.
Print
July Sugar Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
July Sugar Cookies are festive, buttery cookies decorated with red, white, and blue sprinkles or icing, making them a perfect sweet treat for patriotic celebrations like Independence Day.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles or decorating sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using); mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them in patriotic sprinkles or decorating sugar.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just beginning to brown.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps prevent spreading.
- Use festive cookie cutters and royal icing for more decorative options.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg