The Fireworks Sugar Cookie Cake is the ultimate festive treat to celebrate patriotic holidays or any special summer occasion. With its buttery sugar cookie base, bursts of red, white, and blue sprinkles, and chewy texture, it’s a dessert that delivers nostalgia and fun in every slice.
This easy-to-make cookie cake is perfect for parties, barbecues, or bake sales. The dough comes together quickly with pantry staples, and the added pops of color from the sprinkles and M&Ms make it a visual centerpiece. Whether served on its own or topped with frosting or whipped cream, this cookie cake is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Kids love the sweet crunch of the sprinkles, and adults enjoy the soft, chewy bite that brings back childhood memories.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
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1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon baking soda
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1 1/2 cups (186g) all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles
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1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
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1/4 cup red, white, and blue M&M candies (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or line with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) and mix until combined.
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Stir in salt, baking soda, and flour until a dough forms.
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Gently fold in the sprinkles, white chocolate chips, and M&Ms.
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Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
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Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is just set.
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Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 8 slices
The Sweetest Bang for Your Buck: Fireworks Sugar Cookie Cake
Looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s just as festive as fireworks in the sky? The Fireworks Sugar Cookie Cake is an easy, colorful, and crowd-pleasing treat that turns any holiday, especially the 4th of July, into a celebration. With its chewy sugar cookie base, explosions of red, white, and blue sprinkles, and optional bursts of white chocolate chips and M&Ms, this dessert is a visual and flavorful delight.
Unlike traditional cakes, this sugar cookie cake blends the texture of a cookie with the convenience of cake form. It’s the kind of dessert that kids rush to and adults sneak seconds of. With minimal prep, pantry-friendly ingredients, and endless ways to customize, this recipe is a surefire winner for holidays, parties, and potlucks.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, attending a festive picnic, or simply want to surprise your loved ones with something sweet and fun, the Fireworks Sugar Cookie Cake is your go-to recipe. And the best part? It’s so easy to make that even beginner bakers can achieve delicious results with little effort.
Why You’ll Love This Sugar Cookie Cake
This sugar cookie cake is more than just a pretty face. Here’s why it deserves a place in your recipe box:
1. Texture Perfection:
It has that perfect balance between soft, chewy interior and lightly crisp edges, just like your favorite bakery-style cookie, but in sliceable form.
2. One-Bowl Wonder:
The dough can be made in one bowl, no need for multiple dishes or complicated steps.
3. Customizable:
Swap the sprinkles for any color scheme to match different holidays (pastel for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, etc.). Add chocolate chips, nuts, or candies for extra flavor and texture.
4. Kid-Friendly:
This is a fantastic baking project for kids. They can help with measuring, mixing, and of course, sprinkling!
5. Make-Ahead Friendly:
You can bake it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for longer storage. It travels well and keeps its soft texture even after sitting out for hours.
6. No Need for Frosting (Unless You Want It):
This cookie cake tastes amazing as-is, but you can jazz it up with a whipped cream border or patriotic frosting accents for added flair.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Let’s break down the key ingredients that make this cake shine:
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Unsalted Butter:
Room-temperature butter is essential for that classic sugar cookie richness. You can use salted butter in a pinch—just reduce the added salt slightly. -
Sugar:
Granulated white sugar provides sweetness and a subtle crisp edge when baked. -
Egg:
Acts as the binding agent and adds moisture for that soft, chewy bite. -
Vanilla Extract + Almond Extract (Optional):
Vanilla is non-negotiable for a cookie base, while almond extract adds a lovely bakery-style aroma. If you’re not a fan of almond flavor, feel free to leave it out. -
All-Purpose Flour:
Keeps the cookie structure intact while remaining tender. -
Baking Soda + Salt:
Essential for lift and balance. Baking soda ensures the edges crisp slightly without making the whole cake dry. -
Sprinkles:
Use jimmies (the rod-shaped kind) instead of nonpareils to avoid color bleeding. Red, white, and blue are classic for July 4th, but the sky’s the limit on color themes. -
White Chocolate Chips & M&Ms (Optional):
These add pockets of sweetness and color. Feel free to leave them out or substitute with semisweet chips, crushed Oreos, or chopped nuts.
Serving Suggestions & Presentation Tips
This cookie cake is just as adaptable in presentation as it is in flavor:
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Frosting Fun:
Pipe vanilla buttercream around the edge and top with extra sprinkles or star-shaped candies for added flair. -
Sliced Like Cake:
Serve in traditional cake slices, or cut into wedges and pop them on festive napkins or plates. -
Turn It Into Cookie Bars:
Double the recipe and press into a 9×13-inch pan for easy-to-serve cookie bars. Great for bake sales or large events. -
Ice Cream Sandwich Base:
Cut slices in half and stuff with vanilla ice cream for the most decadent summer sandwich treat.
When to Make Fireworks Sugar Cookie Cake
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Fourth of July BBQs:
A perfect sweet ending to grilled meats and classic American fare. -
Memorial Day & Labor Day:
Any red, white, and blue holiday deserves a sprinkle-covered dessert. -
Birthday Parties:
Use the birthday person’s favorite colors instead of patriotic hues. -
Bake Sales & School Events:
It’s easy to slice, kid-friendly, and always disappears quickly. -
Movie Nights or Game Days:
A low-effort treat that pairs great with popcorn and soda.
Make It Ahead & Storage
This cookie cake keeps beautifully, so it’s an ideal make-ahead dessert. Store it:
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At Room Temperature: Up to 3 days in an airtight container.
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In the Fridge: If frosted, refrigerate to keep the topping firm, bring to room temp before serving.
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In the Freezer: Slice and freeze individually. Wrap in plastic and foil for best freshness, up to 1 month.
Troubleshooting Tips
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Too Dry?
Don’t overbake! Pull it from the oven when the center is just set; it will continue to firm as it cools. -
Sprinkle Bleeding?
Stick to jimmies. Nonpareils and sugar crystals often bleed into the dough. -
Sinking Center?
Make sure your butter isn’t too soft (or melted), and don’t overmix once the flour is added.
Conclusion
The Fireworks Sugar Cookie Cake is the ultimate example of how a simple dessert can steal the spotlight. It’s festive, flavorful, and fantastically easy to make, perfect for patriotic holidays, birthday parties, or any day that calls for a little extra joy. With a chewy sugar cookie texture, eye-catching colors, and customization options galore, it’s a dessert that invites smiles and seconds.
Whether you serve it straight up or dress it with frosting and extra toppings, this sugar cookie cake is bound to be a fan favorite. Make it once, and it’ll become your go-to celebration dessert for years to come.