Name: 4th of July Crinkle Cookies
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 1 h 14 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Red and blue gel food coloring; ¾ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

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There’s no better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a tray full of 4th of July Crinkle Cookies—vibrant, festive, and irresistibly soft with a powdered sugar sparkle that pops like fireworks. These cookies bring patriotic flair to your dessert table and are the perfect baking project for home cooks, busy parents, and anyone who loves a playful kitchen adventure.

I still remember helping my grandmother in the kitchen every July 4th. Her cookie dough was always tinted in brilliant red and blue, and she let me roll the balls in powdered sugar—twice! She said the extra coating made them “crackle like the sky on the Fourth.” Now, I pass this tradition on through Kai Recipes to inspire your own summer baking recipes with a touch of celebration and nostalgia.

If you’re looking for even more fun dessert ideas, you can always follow Kai Recipe on Facebook for more festive dessert ideas that will light up your holiday table.

In This Guide

What Are Crinkle Cookies?

Crinkle cookies are soft, chewy treats made from a rich dough that bakes into a cracked, snowy shell thanks to a generous coating of powdered sugar. As the dough spreads in the oven, the surface breaks into beautiful fissures, giving them that signature crackle top. The texture is the best of both worlds—crispy on the outside and buttery soft inside.

They adapt beautifully to holidays like the 4th of July. All it takes is a little food coloring magic to turn them into red white and blue crinkle cookies—ideal for picnic dessert ideas, family BBQs, or even kids party cookies. Need more ideas? Browse seasonal recipes and food styling ideas on Kai Recipes’ Pinterest for a patriotic palette of sweets.

For a creative variation beyond the red, white, and blue theme, don’t miss our fan-favorite Matcha Chocolate Crinkle Cookies—a green tea twist on the classic.

Stack of red, white, and blue 4th of July crinkle cookies with powdered sugar coating and soft center

Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make about 24 cookies:

2¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Red and blue gel food coloring
¾ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

This recipe does require chilling, so plan ahead to let the dough rest—your crinkle texture will thank you!

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make 4th of July Crinkle Cookies

1. Prepare Wet Ingredients

Cream the butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. This is your base—rich, buttery, and ready to carry flavor. Add the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla extract.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a thick, sticky dough forms.

3. Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight). This step ensures the cookies hold their shape and achieve that classic crackle.

4. Divide and Color the Dough

Split the chilled dough into three equal parts. Leave one plain (white), tint one red, and the other blue. Use gel food coloring for the boldest hues.

5. Shape into Balls

Scoop about ½ tablespoon from each color, press together gently, and roll into a 1-inch ball. Each cookie will showcase the blue and red cookie dough spiraling through the white like fireworks in the sky.

6. Roll in Powdered Sugar

For that signature crinkle effect, roll each dough ball in powdered sugar—not once, but twice.

7. Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper and space the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12–14 minutes or until the tops are cracked but the centers still feel soft.

8. Cool and Serve

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. These cookies are perfect served with lemonade on the porch or as part of a patriotic dessert table at your backyard party.

Looking for more July 4th celebration ideas? Check out our 4th of July Food Ideas board for more patriotic treats.

Tips for Perfect Crinkle Cookies

Chill your dough: This helps reduce spreading and enhances the crackled texture.
Double-roll in powdered sugar: More coating equals more crinkle.
Use gel coloring: Liquid coloring may water down your dough—opt for gels to keep it vibrant.
Watch your bake time: Slightly underbake for a soft cookie center with crispy edges.

Flat lay of red, white, and blue patriotic crinkle cookies with powdered sugar on a clean white ceramic plate

Suggested Recipes for Your July 4th Table

For a dessert spread that dazzles, don’t miss these holiday-ready favorites:

Whether you’re baking with your kids, planning a summer BBQ dessert, or just looking for easy holiday cookie ideas, these recipes will help you whip up something unforgettable.

Join the Kai Recipes Community

Tried these Fourth of July Crinkle Cookies? Share your baking triumphs online! Use #4thofJulyCookies, #CrinkleCookies, and tag us on Instagram at @kai_recipes. Whether it’s for a picnic, fireworks party, or a sweet kitchen moment, we love seeing your red, white, and blue creations.

Looking for more inspiration? Discover more creative dessert inspiration on our Pinterest page—it’s your go-to board for holiday sweets and trending cookie ideas.