American Flag Cookie Cake Recipe

Celebrate Independence Day with this festive and delicious American Flag Cookie Cake. This oversized chocolate chip cookie is decorated with buttercream frosting to resemble the American flag, making it the perfect patriotic dessert for 4th of July gatherings, Memorial Day, or any summertime celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with basic pantry ingredients
• A showstopping centerpiece for your holiday table
• Chewy, soft cookie texture combined with creamy frosting
• Fun for kids and adults to decorate
• Can be made in advance to save time on party day

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookie base:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the buttercream frosting:

• Unsalted butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Heavy cream or milk
• Vanilla extract
• Red and blue food coloring

Directions

this recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until well mixed.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cookie to cool completely in the pan.
10. Prepare the frosting by beating the butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla and cream.
11. Divide frosting into three parts—color one red, one blue, and leave one white.
12. Using a piping bag or a spatula, decorate the cookie to resemble the American flag: blue square in the top left corner, white and red stripes across the rest of the surface.
13. Add optional star-shaped sprinkles or white frosting stars to the blue area.

Servings and timing

• Yield: 12–16 servings
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 35 minutes

Variations

• Use white chocolate chips or M&M’s instead of chocolate chips
• Substitute store-bought frosting for a quicker version
• Add edible glitter or star-shaped candies for extra flair
• Use a round pizza pan for a circular cookie cake design
• Make individual cookie cakes by baking the dough in muffin tins

Storage/Reheating

• Store leftover cookie cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Freeze unfrosted cookie cake tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw before decorating.
• If you prefer it warm, microwave individual slices for about 10 seconds before serving.

FAQs

Can I make this cookie cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cookie base a day or two in advance and frost it just before serving.

Can I use store-bought cookie dough?

Yes, using a tube or two of refrigerated cookie dough is a great shortcut.

How do I get clean frosting lines?

Use piping bags with flat or round tips, and chill the cake briefly after piping each color to help the lines set.

Can I freeze the decorated cookie cake?

It’s best to freeze the cookie base alone. Decorations may smear or crack when thawed.

What kind of pan should I use?

A 9×13-inch rectangle pan is ideal for the flag shape, but any large flat pan can work.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

What if I don’t have food coloring?

You can skip it and use patriotic sprinkles or fruit like strawberries and blueberries to decorate.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter gives the best flavor and texture, but margarine can work in a pinch.

Is it better to use gel or liquid food coloring?

Gel food coloring gives more vibrant color without thinning the frosting.

How do I store leftover frosting?

Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

This American Flag Cookie Cake is a festive and fun dessert that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or bringing dessert to a potluck, this patriotic treat is guaranteed to impress. With its chewy cookie base and colorful frosting, it’s a sweet way to show your American spirit.

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