In celebration of the 4th of July, distinctly red, white and blue Spiral Sparkler and Flag Cookies. These crunchy sugar cookies are ideal for patriotic holidays or a 4th of July Care Package.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Both of these beautiful cookies use the same delicious, heat resistant sugar cookie dough! They also both have heat resistant decorating using colored dough or colored sugar.
These patriotic cookies are ideal for holiday picnics and hot weather care packages.
Spiral Sparklers instructions
The glittery Spiral Sparklers are an easy to create slice-and-bake cookie.
- Roll out the dough between two sheets of wax paper or parchment. The paper makes rolling out the dough a non-stick experience, plus the bottom sheet can be used to lift the dough gently as you roll it up into a cylinder.
- Sprinkle the dough with decorating sugar in any patchwork pattern.
- Then roll up the dough as tightly as possible. If the dough cracks, just squeeze it back together.
- Roll the cylinder in colored sugar to coat the outside, then wrap in the parchment/wax paper and refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.
- Cut the spirals in ⅜” slices (a little more than ¼”and a little less than ½” ).
Flag Cookies instructions
The Flag Cookies are also slice-and-bake easy. It’s the directions that are confusing, so bear with me.
The easiest way to divide the dough is using a scale and weight measurements; 2 pieces of dough approximately 325 grams each and 1 piece of dough approximately 215 grams. However, I know that many people don’t use a kitchen scale, so for those bakers I suggest dividing the dough this way.
- Divide the dough into 4 “equal” parts.
- Set aside one piece to color blue.
- All of the remaining dough should be kneaded back together, then divided in half.
- Color on half red and the other half will remain white. Individually wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate an hour or until firm.
5. Roll out the red and white dough into 8” x 10” rectangles. The 8” side should be accurate but the 10” side can vary in length as long as both the red and white rectangle are the same size.
6. Place the white rectangle over the red.
7. Slice the dough into four strips; 2 x 2 ½”, 2 x 1 ½”. Pile the sliced dough using the 2 ½” slices first, followed by the thinner 1 ½” slices.
8. Roll the blue dough into a 10” rope and fit it into the empty corner on the red and white stack. Use your fingers to flatten the sides of the blue dough.
9. Wrap the stack in plastic wrap. Press gently to secure all of the layers and square off the sides.
10. Refrigerate the stack for two hours before cutting into ⅜” slices.
11. Using tweezers to apply star sprinkles to each cookie before baking is optional (depending on your perspective on the importance of sprinkles). Press the stars gently to be sure they are attached.
More patriotic treats
4th of July Cookies are deliciously crunchy sugar cookies swirled in red, white, and blue!
This Brownie Brittle Recipe makes thin, crunchy cookie brittle and brownie brittle. A great, festive snack!
Surprise Inside Brownies are fudgy brownies with patriotic sandwich cookies hidden inside!
No cookie cutters needed to make dozens of melt in your mouth cookies in minutes. This Spritz Cookie Recipe with shortening uses a cookie press to make shaped cookies in holiday colors!
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Bars with homemade red, white and blue chips, are crunchy bars packed with the toasty flavor of oatmeal.
Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!
Spiral Sparkler or Flag Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup butter flavored vegetable shortening Crisco
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Decorating
- Spiral Sparklers: red white and blue decorating sugar
- Flag Cookies: red and blue food coloring white star sprinkles
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes)
- Thoroughly mix in egg, milk and vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the shortening mixture until combined.
Spiral Sparklers
- Roll out the dough between two sheets of wax paper or parchment. Sprinkle the dough with decorating sugar in any patchwork pattern.
- Roll up the dough as tightly as possible, using the wax paper to help lift and turn the dough. If the dough cracks, just squeeze it back together.
- Roll the cylinder in colored sugar to coat the outside, then wrap in the parchment/wax paper and refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.
- Cut the spirals in ⅜” slices (a little more than ¼”and a little less than ½”).
Flag Cookies
- Divide the dough into 3 pieces; 2 pieces of dough approximately 325 grams each and 1 piece of dough approximately 215 grams. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, divide the dough into 4 “equal” parts.
- Set aside one piece. That quarter will be colored blue. All of the remaining dough should be kneaded back together, then divided in half. One half will be colored red and the other half will remain white.
- Individually wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate an hour or until firm.
- Roll out the red and white dough into 8” x 10” rectangles. The 8” side should be accurate but the 10” side can vary in length as long as both the red and white rectangle are the same size. Place the red rectangle over the white.
- Slice the dough into four strips; 2 x 2 ½”, 2x 1 ½”. Pile the sliced dough using the 2 ½” slices first, followed by the thinner 1 ½” slices.
- Roll the blue dough into a 10” rope and fit it into the empty corner on the red and white stack. Use your fingers to flatten the sides of the blue dough.
- Wrap the stack in plastic wrap. Press gently to secure all of the layers and square off the sides. Refrigerate the stack for two hours before cutting into ⅜” slices.
- Use tweezers to apply star sprinkles to each cookie before baking. Press the stars gently to be sure they are attached.
- Place cookies 1-2” apart on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350˚F. Cookies are done when top is dry and bottom is just turning golden.
- Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days.
Notes
Nutrition
First Published: July 3, 2015. Last Updated: June 6, 2022. Updated for additional information and better reader experience.
Hannah
What a awesome idea!
The Monday Box
Thank you, Hannah!
Ali
I can’t use this on my roundup because it’s food, BUT I love this…so I am totally sharing on my Facebook page. So, so cute!
The Monday Box
Thanks so much, Ali! Both cookie designs were fun to make and eat. 🙂 I appreciate your sharing them on Facebook!
shannon
I’m going to echo Monica’s sentiments, because i’ve often thought the same thing: how are there enough hours in the day for you to accomplish all of this AND life stuff!? You’re a better multitasker than i am, that’s for sure. Once again, this care package is stellar (pun! because stars) and i love it. As many times as i’ve made those rolled-up cookies, i’ve never thought to put colored sugar in the layers…BRILLIANT. And i bet it’s a lovely textural component as well. You’re my cookie hero.
The Monday Box
Thank you, Shannon, for always being in my cheerleading corner! Too funny, that you think I am good at multitasking. I stand in awe of YOUR multitasking. I waited to do all of this blogging and baking after my kids were adults and more or less independent. You blog, you are a professional food writer, and you are the “above and beyond” kind of mom to the wee one. Perhaps you can tell me how there are enough hours in the day for YOU to accomplish all you do?! I need all of the tips and hints I can get!
saltandserenity
Wendy, these are spectacular! What a special package to send. I am sure they are appreciated by the very lucky military men and women who receive them. You are an artist.
The Monday Box
Thanks, Cindy, but I just played with colored dough for some cookies. You made pizza that looked like the Canadian flag, maple leaf and all! I love being called an artist! My family leans toward, “nut case” ! 🙂
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
Oh my gosh Wendy, these are so fun and I know there were lots of smiles when your box was opened!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Chris! These cookies were fun to make…didn’t miss the icing at all! I hope they were enjoyed in Afghanistan as well. 🙂
Monica
I honestly don’t know how you have time to do anything else when you are busy making these incredible care packages, Wendy! Seriously – can’t be easy! Love this and all the details. Those flag cookies are particularly amazing. I know these treats cheered up a lot of people. Hope you had a great 4th and enjoyed the fireworks. It rained here but cleared up by afternoon for a great show! : )
The Monday Box
Thank you, Monica! I try to gather up “supplies” for several themed care packages in one trip to the Dollar Store. Doesn’t always work, but I try. I also try to make several batches of sugar cookie dough at one time and freeze some. I don’t always do that either! 😉 Truth is that it really is a labor of love. I get a lot of happiness from creating the boxes and hope the happiness transfers to the troops. 🙂 Big deal if a few nights per month my family eats frozen dinners or take-out while I stress out over having everything baked, photographed and packed for Monday shipping. Good example is those flag cookies. The original process photos were terrible, so after mailing the package, I made a new batch and took a new set of photos. Did I mention that being a wee bit crazy (in a good way, I hope) helps? 😉
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
You are amazing! How wonderfully smart – I would have never thought to make flag cookies like that. Everything you make is an inspiration. Lovely! Hope you had a fantastic July 4th!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Tricia, but the idea is not original. I would never have thought of making the flags that way either! But once I saw a photo, I HAD to try. 🙂 I hope you and your family have a great weekend!