4-Ingredient 4th of July Cookie Cake
This 4-Ingredient 4th of July Cookie Cake is the ultimate easy patriotic dessert! Made with refrigerated sugar cookie dough, festive sprinkles, M&M's, and icing, this soft and chewy cookie cake comes together in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for Independence Day cookouts, BBQs, pool parties, and summer celebrations.
If you're looking for an easy 4th of July dessert that looks festive without spending hours in the kitchen, this 4-Ingredient Cookie Cake is exactly what you need. Using refrigerated sugar cookie dough means there's no measuring or mixing, making it one of the easiest desserts you'll make all summer.
The colorful red, white, and blue sprinkles and M&M's make it perfect for your Independence Day celebration, but the best part is that you can swap out the colors for any holiday throughout the year. Think orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, or pink and red for Valentine's Day. It's a simple dessert that's guaranteed to disappear fast!
Whether you're heading to a backyard BBQ, watching fireworks, or hosting family for the holiday, this easy cookie cake is always a crowd favorite. It starts with refrigerated sugar cookie dough, making prep almost effortless, and bakes into a soft, chewy cookie that's decorated with festive icing and sprinkles.
If you need a last-minute patriotic dessert, this recipe has you covered.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Only 4 ingredients
Ready in about 30 minutes
No mixer or homemade cookie dough required
Perfect for 4th of July parties
Kid-friendly and fun to decorate
Easy Holiday Variations:
One of the best things about this cookie cake is how easy it is to customize.
❤️ Valentine's Day: Pink, red, and white sprinkles with Valentine M&M's
🍀 St. Patrick's Day: Green sprinkles and green candies
🐣 Easter: Pastel sprinkles and pastel candies
🎃 Halloween: Orange and black sprinkles with Halloween M&M's
🎄 Christmas: Red and green sprinkles with holiday candies
🎉 Birthday: Rainbow sprinkles and colorful M&M's
📝 Ingredients
- 1 package (24 count) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
- Red, white & blue sprinkles
- Red, white & blue M&M's
- 1 tube white decorating icing
👩🍳 Directions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- 2
Place the sugar cookie dough rounds in the bottom of a springform pan or pie plate.
- 3
Sprinkle a layer of red, white, and blue sprinkles over the cookies, making sure some fall between the cookie dough pieces.
- 4
Press the cookie dough together until it forms one even cookie crust across the bottom of the pan.
- 5
Sprinkle the red, white, and blue M&M's over the top, gently pressing them into the dough.
- 6
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- 7
Let cool for a few minutes if serving warm, or cool completely before decorating.
- 8
Once cooled, remove from the pan and pipe white icing around the edge. Top the icing with more festive sprinkles.
- 9
Slice and enjoy!
- 10
Tip: This is delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you can't wait for it to cool! 🍪
📸 More Photos
💡 Tips for Success
- Don't overbake:The center should still look slightly soft when you remove it from the oven. It will continue baking as it cools.
- Press the dough together well:This helps create one large cookie instead of individual cookies baking apart.
- Cool before decorating:If the cookie is too warm, the icing will melt instead of holding its shape.
- Use a springform pan: A springform pan makes removing the cookie cake much easier, but a pie plate works great too.
- Add extra toppings - Try festive sanding sugar, star-shaped sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or even white chocolate chips.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cookie cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake it a day in advance, allow it to cool completely, then decorate before serving or just before your party.
How should I store leftovers?
Store the cookie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
What size pan should I use?
A 9-inch springform pan works best, but a standard pie plate also works well.
Can I use homemade cookie dough?
Definitely! If you have a favorite sugar cookie dough recipe, simply use enough dough to fill the bottom of your pan in an even layer.
Can I make this for other holidays?
Yes! Simply swap the sprinkles and candies to match your holiday or celebration. ❤️ Valentine's Day: Pink, red, and white sprinkles with Valentine M&M's 🍀 St. Patrick's Day: Green sprinkles and green candies 🐣 Easter: Pastel sprinkles and pastel candies 🎃 Halloween: Orange and black sprinkles with Halloween M&M's 🎄 Christmas: Red and green sprinkles with holiday candies 🎉 Birthday: Rainbow sprinkles and colorful M&M's
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Made this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @holleyinthekitchen — I'd love to see it!Recipe from Holley in the Kitchen: https://holleyinthekitchen.com/recipe/4-ingredient-4th-of-july-cookie-cake