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Patriotic Crinkle Cookies with a Butter

These buttery Patriotic Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with red, white, and blue color! Perfect for July 4th, BBQs, or festive gift boxes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Red and blue gel food coloring
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Method
 

  1. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Mix wet and dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a dough forms.
  5. Divide and color: Split dough into three portions. Leave one plain, color one red, and the other blue.
  6. Form cookie balls: Take small pieces from each color and gently roll together to form 1.5-inch balls.
  7. Roll in powdered sugar: Generously coat each ball with powdered sugar.
  8. Bake: Place on lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
  9. Cool: Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Notes

Patriotic Crinkle Cookies with a Butter Twist – Helpful Tips

Baking Tips & Techniques
Use room-temperature butter for a softer, more even dough — the “butter twist” adds a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture that really sets these crinkle cookies apart.
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling; this helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar — this double coat gives that perfect crackled finish with crisp edges and a tender center.
Don’t overbake! The centers should still be soft when you pull them out — they’ll continue to cook slightly on the baking sheet as they cool.
Divide the dough into three equal parts and add red and blue food coloring to two portions, leaving one white. Swirl or stack for a festive, tie-dye effect!
Serving Suggestions
Perfect for 4th of July parties, Memorial Day picnics, or any summer celebration.
Serve on a platter with sparklers or flag-themed décor for a patriotic presentation.
Pair with cold milk, lemonade, or berry punch for a nostalgic treat.
Make them bite-sized and pack in gift bags or cookie tins for party favors.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Make-Ahead: The dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. You can also freeze rolled dough balls (uncoated) and coat in sugar before baking.
Refrigerator: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temp or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheat: No need to reheat, but you can warm them slightly in the microwave for a just-baked feel.
Tasty Variations to Try
Lemon-Vanilla Crinkle: Add lemon zest and a splash of vanilla extract for a citrusy, fragrant upgrade.
Berry-Filled Crinkle: Press a few freeze-dried raspberries or blueberries into the dough before baking for pops of fruity flavor.
Chocolate Patriotic Crinkles: Use a cocoa-infused base with red and white sugar coatings for a twist on the classic.
Gluten-Free Version: Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — these cookies are forgiving and bake up beautifully.
Sprinkle Explosion: Roll in patriotic star-shaped sprinkles instead of powdered sugar for extra crunch and color.