Name: Firework Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 147 min
Ingredients: 1 cup white sugar; 1/2 cup butter (room temperature); 1 large egg; 4 Tbsp milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt

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These Firework Sugar Cookies are so fun to make for Fourth of July celebrations! Simply decorate them with bright pops of royal icing and embellish with sprinkles.

I’m a huge fan of creating treats for every occasion, especially delicious ones like these. Be sure to check out these Fourth of July Pretzels, Fourth of July Rice Krispie Treats and Fourth of July Bingo Printables too.

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this easy recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be waiting there when you’re ready.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sugar cookie dough is super versatile and easy to make with only a few ingredients from the grocery store. You will need simple ingredients like butter, granulated sugar and all purpose flour.

Before you get started make sure that you have everything that you need to make and decorate these cookies. These cookie cutters are a brand new product from Wilton!

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This is my grandma’s classic sugar cookie recipe – time tested and delicious. I have changed very little about this traditional recipe!

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 large egg
4 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Tip: Pre-made Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough can be used to create these cookies as well. Simply add 1/4 cup of flour to the dough, combine well and roll as directed. I love quick mom hacks like this!

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine dry ingredients. Add butter, egg, milk and extract. Mix on medium speed until a soft dough forms.

3. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This helps to prevent the dough from spreading when baked.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Dust your surface with flour and use a rolling pin to roll the dough to 1/4″ thickness on the floured surface.

5. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake until the cookies are lightly brown around the edges, about 7 minutes.

7. Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool.

This recipe will make about 36 3″ firework shaped cookies.

Use my Easy Royal Icing Recipe to make the best icing for these cookies! You will need red, blue and white royal icing that has been tinted with food coloring.

My royal icing tips:

If the icing is too hard, add more water one drop at a time.
If the icing is too soft, add more powdered sugar one teaspoon at a time.
Icing can be stored at room temperature in a an airtight container for up to two weeks.
To use, mix the royal icing with a hand mixer so that it becomes smooth and shiny again.
Flood consistency is reached when a spoonful dropped onto a flat surface takes 10 – 15 seconds to become completely smooth.

These instructions will show you how to decorate red, white and blue firework cookies like these ones. The sky is the limit though, have fun with this process! You can decorate each cookie with all sorts of patterns and designs.

How to decorate firework sugar cookies:

Additional ingredients – silver star sprinkles from Wilton.

1. Outline each shape with a line of white icing.

2. Flood the center of each cookie with icing and use a scribe to move the icing into corners and pop bubbles.

3. To create the firework pattern, add rings of alternating red and blue to the icing before it dries. This technique is called wet on wet icing.

4. Use a scribe or toothpick to pull the colored icing from the center to the outer edge of the cookie.

5. Before the icing dries, dust the bottom portion of the cookie with sprinkles.

6. Allow the icing to dry completely before packaging.

Allow the icing to completely harden for at least four hours before packaging or storing the cookies. These look amazing wrapped in cellophane and packaged up with a bit of twine.

Add my free printable gift tag and voila – a fun and festive gift that is perfect for patriotic celebrations!

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Some of my baking essentials:

I love using this non-stick bakeware for all of my baking.
These silicone mitts are perfect for grasping hot pans and baking dishes.
This Henckel Knife is my favorite for slicing and dicing in the kitchen.
These parchment paper bags are perfect for packaging and these large Rubbermaid food storage containers are great for storing baking in the freezer.

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Fourth of July Sugar Cookies with Printable Gift Tags

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Be sure to check out my other Sugar Cookies too!