Get ready to celebrate Independence day in style with our 4th of July cookie cake! Swirls of frosting and red, white, and blue sprinkles make this treat a festive addition to your patriotic picnics.
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Why Make a Patriotic Cookie Cake
Looking for a last minute red, white, and blue dessert to make for the Fourth of July? I've got you covered with this easy cookie dessert.
When I was much younger I used to work at our local mall. On my breaks I would walk past the Great American Cookie Company. I loved looking at all the decorated cookie cakes.
I bought a bag of red, white, and blue M&M's, so we could make these 4th of July cookies. Then I decided a giant chocolate chip cookie cake with vanilla buttercream frosting would be more fun.
- Show your spirit. The 4th of July is a big day in America, and it's all about celebrating our independence. Using red, white, and blue colors in a dessert is a great way to show off your love for the country!
- Easy to make. All you have to do is mix up the dough and press it into a pan. No scooping and baking lots of cookies with this easy recipe.
- Fun to decorate. Decorating a 4th of July cookie cake is a chance to show off your creative side. You can use different colored icings, sprinkles, or even fresh fruit to make cool designs. Let your imagination run wild and make a cake that screams "Happy 4th of July!"
- Perfect for any party. Cookie cakes are big enough to share with friends and family. So, if you're having a holiday party, this is a great 4th of July dessert to bring. Everyone will enjoy this yummy treat.
Change up the colors to make this easy cookie cake recipe perfect for any celebration or party!
Main Ingredients
This chocolate chip cookie cake recipe is easy to make with a few simple pantry items.
- Butter - I like to use unsalted butter, so that I can adjust the salt in the recipe. If you are using salted butter, reduce it by ¼ teaspoon.
- Sugars - A mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar sweetens the cookie dough.
- Egg - Bind all the ingredients together.
- Flour - Gives the dough structure.
- Baking Soda - Helps the dough rise as it bakes.
- Cornstarch - Makes the cookie soft and tender.
- Mix Ins - A combination of chocolate chips, holiday M&M's, and sprinkles give the cookie pie some flair and flavor.
- Frosting - Feel free to use homemade or a tub of store bought.
BruCrew Tip: Buy an extra bag of red white and blue M&M's, so you can make these 4th of July rice krispie treats or these M&M blondies for your holiday parties.
How to make a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Cookie cakes are so easy to make for any party. Use different colored sprinkles and M&M's to match whatever theme or event you are making it for.
- Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and beat again. (full recipe at bottom of post)
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until dough forms.
- Add chocolate chips, candies, and sprinkles and stir gently.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly in the bottom of a prepared pan and bake.
- Once the cookie pie is cooled completely, add swirls of vanilla frosting and sprinkles around the outside edge.
Storage Recommendations
Store the cookie cake in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. It can also be stored in the refrigerator where it will keep for 4-5 days.
Wrap unfrosted slices in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. The slices can be frozen for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before adding frosting and serving.
Tips and Tricks
- Use room temperature ingredients. Make sure your butter is soft, so it will be easier to mix up a soft dough.
- Remove it easily. Add a circle of parchment paper to the bottom of the pan ahead of time. This will help you remove the entire cookie pie easily before serving.
- Use a different pan. You can also bake this cookie pie in a 9 inch springform pan or an 8 inch cake pan.
- Let it cool. Make sure the giant cookie is completely cool before adding any frosting. If it is even a little bit warm, the frosting will melt.
- Change it up. Use different colored candies and different flavored chocolate chips to give this cookie cake a fun twist.
- Swirl on other frostings. Try using a dark chocolate frosting, peanut butter buttercream, or marshmallow buttercream for a different taste.
FAQs
Yes, you can use ½ of a 16 ounce roll of chocolate chip cookie dough in place of the homemade dough. A tub of ready made frosting is also an easy substitution.
This cookie cake recipe can be baked in a 9 inch pie plate, a 9 inch springform pan, or an 8 inch square pan.
Yes, you could make the dough ahead of time. Keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to bake it. Or you can bake the cookie up to 24 hours ahead of time. Keep the cake covered tightly, so it doesn't dry out.
More Fourth of July Desserts
- Red White and Blue Bundt Cake
- Red White and Blue Marshmallows
- Red White and Blue Cheesecake Bars
- Firecracker Cupcakes
- Patriotic Donuts
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Recipe
4th of July Cookie Cake
Get ready to celebrate Independence day in style with our 4th of July cookie cake! Swirls of frosting and red, white, and blue sprinkles make this treat a festive addition to your patriotic picnics.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup mini M&M's (red, white, & blue)
- ¼ cup sprinkles (jimmies)
For the Frosting
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- pinch of salt
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9 inch pie plate with nonstick baking spray.
- Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and beat again.
- Add flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt and beat until a soft dough forms.
- Stir in chocolate chips, M&M's, and sprinkles. Spread evenly in prepared pie plate.
- Bake 17-18 minutes. Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
- Beat butter, salt, and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and heavy cream. Beat until light and fluffy. From time to time use a spatula to push the frosting down the sides of the bowl.
- Use a piping bag fitted with icing tip 1M to pipe swirls around the outside edge of the cookie pie. Add sprinkles before the frosting sets.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients. Make sure your butter is soft, so it will be easier to mix up a soft dough.
- Remove it easily. If you want to remove the entire cookie pie before serving, add a circle of parchment paper to the bottom of the pan before adding the dough.
- Use a different pan. You can also bake this cookie pie in a 9 inch springform pan or an 8 inch cake pan.
- Let it cool. Make sure the giant cookie is completely cool before adding any frosting. If it is even a little bit warm, the frosting will melt.
- Change it up. Use different colored candies and different flavored chocolate chips to give this cookie cake a fun twist.
- Swirl on other frostings. Try using a dark chocolate frosting, peanut butter buttercream, or marshmallow buttercream for a different taste.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 414Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 118mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 1gSugar: 39gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published July 2020. It was updated and republished July 2023.
Leah Holmes
I made this for a party! It was a huge hit! Thanks for the recipe. Will make again