If you’re searching for the ultimate festive treat to wow your friends and family, you cannot go wrong with Patriotic Crinkle Cookies. These delightfully chewy cookies combine a tender cake-like texture with eye-catching red, white, and blue swirls—perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any occasion where you want to show off your patriotic spirit. Quick to whip up, easily customizable, and completely irresistible, this recipe is a go-to for anyone who wants to bake up some serious holiday joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is all about simplicity and color, with just a handful of basic ingredients coming together to make something truly special. Every element serves a purpose, from creating the perfect soft chew to achieving those bold stripes that make Patriotic Crinkle Cookies stand out on any dessert table.
- White cake mix: This is the backbone of the cookies, providing structure, sweetness, and that iconic crinkle surface with minimal effort.
- Large eggs (2): Eggs bind the dough and help keep each cookie moist and rich.
- Vegetable oil (⅓ cup): Oil makes the dough easy to work with and results in ultra-tender cookies that stay fresh longer.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Vanilla rounds out the sweetness and adds warm, bakery-style aroma to every bite.
- Red and blue gel food coloring: Gel food coloring is bold and won’t water down your dough, making sure each hue pops perfectly after baking.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup, for rolling): This not only adds sweetness, but creates the “crinkle” effect—giving you those signature bursts of white on the finished cookies.
How to Make Patriotic Crinkle Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Station
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This gives you a nonstick, even baking surface and means less clean-up later, so you can spend more time enjoying your cookies!
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the white cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until a soft, smooth dough forms. The mixture should hold together but still be pliable—it’s perfectly normal if it looks a little sticky at this stage.
Step 3: Divide and Color
Split the dough into three equal portions in separate bowls. Leave one section plain for your crisp white base, then tint one with red gel food coloring and another with blue, stirring until each color is vibrant and fully mixed through. Embrace the boldness—the more saturated, the more impressive your Patriotic Crinkle Cookies will look!
Step 4: Chill and Prep for Rolling
Pop all three dough bowls into the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and ensures those colors stay sharp and don’t bleed into each other. While the dough chills, set up your rolling area with a shallow bowl of powdered sugar.
Step 5: Shape and Roll
Once chilled, scoop about a tablespoon of dough from each color (white, red, blue). Gently press them together to form one tricolor round—don’t overmix or you’ll lose those lovely stripes. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar so it’s fully coated and place on your baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart for an even bake.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops have crackled and the edges are set, but the centers still look just ever-so-slightly soft. Let them cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling—this helps the crinkle set beautifully on each cookie.
How to Serve Patriotic Crinkle Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, try dusting your Patriotic Crinkle Cookies with a second light sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving. A handful of edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles can also make the colors pop and add a little sparkle to your dessert spread.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a bowl of fresh summer berries, or a refreshing lemonade for the ultimate celebration treat. The vibrant flavors and colors complement nearly any light summer dessert and make a delightful finish to picnic or BBQ fare.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a bold star shape on a serving tray for a patriotic centerpiece, or stack them in clear jars tied with red, white, and blue ribbon for a charming edible gift. You can even use them as cupcake toppers or sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two for mini ice cream sandwiches at your next party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Patriotic Crinkle Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll easily keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Be sure to let them cool completely before storing to maintain that signature crinkle and keep them from sticking together.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time, freeze the rolled, unbaked dough balls (before tossing in powdered sugar) on a baking sheet. When you’re ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in fresh powdered sugar, and pop in the oven as usual for the same irresistible results.
Reheating
To freshen up cookies that have been stored or frozen, warm them briefly in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3–5 minutes. This brings back a little of that just-baked chewiness while keeping the outside crisp and colorful.
FAQs
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
For bold, vibrant stripes in your Patriotic Crinkle Cookies, gel food coloring is by far the best option. Liquid food coloring can make the dough too runny and muddy the colors, so stick to gel for perfect results.
What is the best way to get even cookies?
Using a small cookie scoop helps ensure each dough portion is the same size, which leads to uniform cookies that bake evenly and look gorgeous together on a plate.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough thoroughly and making sure your oven is fully preheated are both essential. The cold dough holds its shape better, giving you those tall, fluffy centers and crisp crinkled tops every time.
Can I double this recipe for a big crowd?
Absolutely! This Patriotic Crinkle Cookies recipe doubles (or even triples) beautifully. Just make sure to work in batches if your oven space is limited, and keep the dough portions chilled until you’re ready to bake them off.
Do these cookies work for other holidays?
Yes, you can swap out the red and blue food coloring for any holiday palette—think green and red for Christmas, or pink and purple for spring celebrations. The method stays exactly the same, leading to festive crinkle cookies year-round.
Final Thoughts
Baking up a batch of Patriotic Crinkle Cookies is an easy, joyful way to bring a pop of color and homemade sweetness to your next celebration. Their soft centers, gorgeous stripes, and simple prep are sure to win over everyone who tries them. So gather your ingredients, turn on some festive tunes, and enjoy sharing these delicious treats with the people you love most!
Print
Patriotic Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Patriotic Crinkle Cookies are a festive and colorful treat perfect for holidays like the 4th of July or Memorial Day. Made with a white cake mix and vibrant red and blue colors, these cookies are easy to make and a delight to enjoy.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and blue gel food coloring
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the 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 until a dough forms. Divide into three portions.
- Color the Dough: Leave one portion plain, color one red, and the other blue. Chill for 15–20 minutes.
- Form the Cookies: Scoop 1 tablespoon of each color, press together, roll in powdered sugar, and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 9–11 minutes until set with crinkled tops. Cool on sheet, then on a wire rack.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors.
- Perfect for patriotic celebrations.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
