Description
Celebrate freedom and flavor with these delightful Patriotic Crinkle Cookies with a Butter-Rich Base! These cookies are soft, chewy, and beautifully crinkled with red, white, and blue colors to light up your 4th of July dessert table. With a rich buttery taste and a crackly sugar coating, they’re as delicious as they are festive.
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Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Red and blue gel food coloring
For the Crinkle Coating:
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar (for first roll)
Optional Add-Ins:
½ tsp almond extract (for extra depth)
White chocolate chips
Patriotic sprinkles (fold into the dough or use as topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Step 3: Divide and Color the Dough
Divide the dough evenly into three bowls.
Leave one portion plain (white), then color the other two with red and blue food gel, respectively. Mix until the colors are evenly incorporated.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowls with plastic wrap and chill the dough for at least 30–45 minutes. This helps prevent spreading and intensifies the flavor.
Step 5: Preheat Oven & Prepare Coating
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In two separate small bowls, place the granulated sugar and powdered sugar for coating.
Step 6: Form and Coat Cookies
Take a small pinch of each colored dough and gently roll them together into a ball.
First roll each dough ball in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar to fully coat.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Place the coated cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops are crackled and the cookies are set but still soft in the center.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let cookies cool on the pan for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Once completely cool, serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Use Gel Food Coloring – It gives vibrant color without watering down the dough.
Chill the Dough – This keeps the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Double Sugar Coating – Helps create the signature crinkled, snowy look.
Don’t Overbake – Cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
Use a Cookie Scoop – Ensures even-sized cookies that bake uniformly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Cuisine: American