Are you gearing up for a patriotic holiday like Independence Day or Memorial Day? Elevate your festivities with these delightful Patriotic Cookies!
These colorful pinwheel cookies are so festive and fun! There is nothing like a red, white, and blue cookie to bring smiles to the barbecue! The 4th of July is coming quickly, and today I wanted to share this fun recipe idea for some cookies I made a few years ago.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Vibrant Colors: These cookies boast the iconic colors of the American flag, making them a perfect addition to any July 4th celebration or patriotic party.
- Chewy Texture: With a soft and chewy texture, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults alike.
- Easy Preparation: This recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly, making it accessible to bakers of all skill levels.
- Versatile Decorating: Get creative with your decorations! Whether you opt for patriotic sprinkles or red, white, and blue icing, there are endless ways to customize these cookies to suit your theme.
Ingredients for patriotic pinwheel cookies
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Butter, softened
- Brown sugar
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Blue and red food coloring (I used Americolor)
Equipment and kitchen tools
- Rolling pin
- Wax paper
How to make fourth of July cookies
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Slowly add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Don't hesitate to use your hands to ensure thorough blending.
Divide the dough into thirds. Set one portion aside and place the remaining two portions into separate bowls.
Add red food coloring to one bowl of dough and blue food coloring to the other. Use an electric mixer to evenly distribute the color throughout each portion of dough.
Roll out each colored dough into a rectangle on wax paper.
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Layer the three colors of dough on top of each other and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Once chilled, slice the dough into cookies and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake the cookies at 375°F for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Tips for the Best Results
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal blending.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant and consistent color saturation.
- Refrigerate the layered dough before slicing to prevent it from spreading during baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Experiment with different colors or patterns for a fun twist on these patriotic treats.
- Add white chocolate chips to the dough for an extra touch of sweetness.
FAQs about this Recipe
Yes! The dough can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
Absolutely! Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container before freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking.
While natural food coloring can be used, keep in mind that it may result in less vibrant colors compared to gel food coloring. Adjust the amount as needed to achieve your desired hue.
More great patriotic recipes
📖 Recipe
Red White and Blue Pinwheel Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 ½ sticks butter softened 1 ¼ cups
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- blue and red food coloring I used Americolor
Instructions
- Cream butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
- Slowly add flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Do not be afraid to use your hands to really get the dough blended.
- Split dough into thirds.
- Set one aside and separate the remaining two into separate bowls.
- Add red food coloring to one of the dough mixtures and use an electric mixer to adequately tint the dough.
- Repeat with the other third and blue food coloring.
- Roll out each color into a rectangle on wax paper as shown above.
- Layer the three colors of dough and refrigerate at least two hours.
- When ready, slice cookies and place on parchment paper on cookie sheet.
- Bake at 375 • for 9-11 minutes.
- Let cool completely before moving.
Carrie @ Chockababy
Ooh! These look so yummy! Thanks for the idea!
Organizedisland
Thanks Carrie! I appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
Bethany
How cute!
Organizedisland
Thank you Bethany! Your little booties are so cute!
Paula
My kids would love to make these!!
Organizedisland
Thanks for your sweet comment Paula!
Deb@CookingontheFrontBurner
Great looking cookies! So festive!
Organizedisland
Thank you Deb!
Tamara
My daughter would really love these. And the fun parts of making them. She's obsessed with play-doh cookies. For the 4th, we haven't done much with such small children. This may be the first year we attempt fireworks but of course this either means a sitter for both kids, or one of us takes the older one and the other stays home with the baby. He can't keep his eyes open past 8:00 pm..
Organizedisland
Oh how cute! I remember when the kids were little and the fireworks were so enchanting to them. Enjoy the time when they are small!
jamiegall1930
aha! I always wondered how the pinwheel designs were made.. it all makes sense to me now.. and I call myself a baker 😉 LOL
Organizedisland
You are too funny Jamie! They are really fun to make!
Amy @ So There. by Amy
These are too cute!!
Organizedisland
Thank you Amy! 🙂
Laura Dembowski
These are so cute and clever! Perfect for a July 4th barbecue!
Organizedisland
Thank you Laura for your sweet comment! 🙂
The Ninja Baker
Brilliant idea, Raquel. The red and blue are so vibrant, too. Suppose one could even add little red and blue sugar sparkles =)
P.s. Thank you for sharing your 4th of July traditions...Sounds so Norman Rockwellish and lovely!
Organizedisland
Yes, the addition of sprinkles would look cool! Yes, I just wish I had more pictures from those times.
Cyndi
Those are pretty neat! I had no idea that it was a matter of layers. They look magical, really. LOL
Organizedisland
Thank you Cyndi! They were fun to make!
Mary T
How creative!
Susan D
These look awesome! I would love if you came over to my Sunday Funday Linky party and shared them!
http://soozind.blogspot.com/2013/06/sunday-funday-linky-party-2.html
Susan @ Adventures in my Kitchen
Karyn - Pint Sized Baker
what fun cookies! Perfect for the kids to help make this week! Pinned of course! Thanks so much for sharing on Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker. I hope to see you again on Monday night!
Organizedisland
Thank you Karyn!
Brittanie @Simplistically Living
Very cute idea. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty!