There’s something magical about summer baking, especially when it includes vibrant red, white, and blue! These patriotic crinkle cookies are one of my favorite things to whip up for 4th of July picnics, backyard barbecues, and fireworks night. They’re soft, chewy, sugar-dusted, and bursting with American pride. 🇺🇸 I’ve made them with my kids for years, and every time we do, it feels like a celebration in the kitchen.
And if you’re planning a full-blown dessert table, check out our 4th of July Whoopie Pies for even more festive ideas!
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Why You’ll Love These Patriotic Crinkle Cookies
- Fun & Festive: Perfect for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or any red-white-and-blue bash.
- Easy to Make: Just a few ingredients and no fancy equipment needed.
- Kid-Friendly: Little hands love rolling these in powdered sugar.
- Visually Stunning: The crackled surface dusted in sugar is so eye-catching on any dessert tray.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: These cookies stay soft for days!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Ingredient Tips & Swaps
- Food Coloring: Use gel-based food coloring for the most vibrant colors without watering down your dough.
- Oil Substitution: You can swap vegetable oil for melted coconut oil or butter for a richer flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite GF white cake mix—just follow the same instructions.
- Add-ins: Want extra fun? Mix in white chocolate chips or red/blue sprinkles.
Patriotic Crinkle Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These red, white, and blue crinkle cookies are festive, chewy, and perfect for the 4th of July! Made with cake mix and rolled in powdered sugar, they’re fun to make and even more fun to eat.
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla until fully combined.
- Divide dough into three bowls: leave one white, tint one red, and one blue. Mix well.
- Chill dough in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
- Scoop 1-inch dough balls, roll them in powdered sugar, and place on baking sheet 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes until tops are crackled and set.
- Cool on tray for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Notes
For vibrant color, use gel food coloring. Add-ins like white chocolate chips or sprinkles make them extra fun. Store in an airtight container for 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
How to Make Patriotic Crinkle Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully blended.
- Divide & Color: Split the dough evenly into three bowls. Leave one white, and tint the others red and blue with food coloring. Mix until evenly colored.
- Chill: Pop the bowls into the fridge for 15–20 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and get that signature crinkle.
- Roll: Scoop 1-inch balls of dough, roll them in your hands, then coat generously in powdered sugar.
- Bake: Arrange on a baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the tops are crackled and set.
- Cool: Let cookies sit on the tray for 2–3 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
And just like that, your patriotic crinkle cookies are ready to shine! They’ll look stunning stacked on a platter or nestled in a cookie tin with sparkler toppers.
Patriotic Cookie Styling Ideas
Want to take your patriotic crinkle cookies to the next level? Here are some simple ways to add extra wow-factor for your celebration:
- Marbled Effect: Combine a pinch of red, blue, and white dough before rolling to create a fun tie-dye look.
- Sprinkle Pop: Roll finished cookies in red, white, and blue sprinkles right after baking for added crunch and color.
- Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle with melted white chocolate and top with edible stars or glitter.
- Flag Display: Arrange cookies in rows on a tray to mimic the American flag for a party centerpiece!
How to Store Crinkle Cookies
Once your cookies have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh and chewy. Here’s how:
- Room Temperature: Keeps well for up to 5 days in a sealed container.
- Refrigerator: Helps extend freshness by 2–3 more days (just let them come to room temp before serving).
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then store in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Creative Variations & Add-Ins
If you’re looking to get creative, here are a few tasty twists on the classic recipe:
- Stuffed Cookies: Place a mini marshmallow or chocolate kiss in the center of each dough ball before rolling in sugar.
- Berry Burst: Add 1–2 tablespoons of crushed freeze-dried raspberries or blueberries to the white dough for a fruity kick.
- Sandwich Style: Smear a layer of buttercream or whipped cream cheese between two cookies for a decadent treat.
- Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Freeze baked cookies and pair with vanilla or strawberry ice cream for the ultimate summer dessert.
Make It a Party: Serve with These Red, White & Blue Favorites
Pair these cookies with other patriotic treats to create a star-spangled dessert spread everyone will remember:
- Red, White & Blue Fruit Skewers: Stack strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows on mini sticks.
- Patriotic Popsicles: Freeze layers of red berry puree, vanilla yogurt, and blue raspberry juice.
- Star-Shaped Rice Krispies Treats: Use a cookie cutter and drizzle with white chocolate and sprinkles.
- Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade: A fizzy, refreshing drink to wash down all the sweets.
And if you’re planning a full-blown dessert table, check out our 4th of July Whoopie Pies for even more festive ideas!
FAQs About Patriotic Crinkle Cookies
What is the secret to crinkle cookies?
The real magic happens when the dough is chilled and rolled in a thick layer of powdered sugar. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape while baking, and the sugar coating ensures a dramatic, crackly finish. Be generous with that sugar!
What are crinkle cookies made of?
Classic crinkle cookies are made from a base of flour, sugar, eggs, oil or butter, and baking powder. For this patriotic version, we use white cake mix for ease and add food coloring to create the red, white, and blue theme. Powdered sugar is the key finishing touch!
Why is it called crinkles?
The name “crinkles” comes from the signature cracks that form on the surface of the cookie during baking. As the dough spreads and expands, the sugar coating separates, revealing the colorful dough beneath.
What’s the difference between crinkles and brownies?
Brownies are typically dense, fudgy, and baked in square pans, while crinkle cookies are soft and chewy with a sugar-coated crackled surface. Crinkles have more of a cookie texture, while brownies are rich and gooey.
Why is a brownie not a cookie?
Though both are sweet baked goods, brownies use a different ratio of fat and flour, resulting in a cakier, thicker consistency. Cookies are individually portioned and meant to be crisp or chewy, while brownies are sliced from a single pan.
Are crinkle cookies good?
Absolutely! They’re soft, sweet, and have that perfect outer crunch from the powdered sugar. Kids love the colors and texture, and adults love the flavor—especially when paired with coffee or milk!
A Cookie Worth Celebrating!
These patriotic crinkle cookies are more than just a holiday dessert—they’re a sweet tradition in the making. With minimal effort and maximum festive flair, they’ll quickly become your go-to for Independence Day or any red, white, and blue event.
Now, go preheat that oven—and tag us on social when you share your beautiful crinkle creations! 🇺🇸.
