Fireworks Celebration Cookies: 4th of July Sugar Cookies

This Fireworks Celebration Cookies recipe is the ultimate showstopper for Fourth of July parties, summer birthdays, and any red-white-and-blue occasion. These buttery, soft sugar cookies are shaped like fireworks, piped with sparkly icing, and designed to light up your dessert table just like the real thing.

These fireworks celebration cookies are soft, buttery, and bright with citrus flavor everything I want in a festive summer treat. The dough rolls out like a dream and bakes into cookies that keep their shape beautifully, which makes decorating easy and fun. The royal icing sets with a gorgeous glossy finish, and those bold colors and sparkle? Pure celebration. If you love these treats, check out my Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies or this dreamy Easy Shortbread Cookies.

In This Post

Why You’ll Love This Fireworks Celebration Cookies Recipe

They hold their shape beautifully. No spreading or puffing just perfect edges every time.
Infused with fresh citrus and vanilla. That lemon extract adds brightness and makes them totally crave-worthy.
Perfect for decorating. The dough chills well, and the cookies bake flat for smooth icing work.
Kid-friendly activity. Let the little ones help with piping and sprinkles!
Great for gifting or sharing. They stay soft for days and look amazing on a platter.
Freezer-friendly. Both the dough and finished cookies freeze beautifully.

table talk

With Liliya!

These cookies are one of my favorite ways to kick off summer. I bake a double batch every year for our family BBQ and let the kids go wild decorating with sprinkles and food coloring. It’s become a whole tradition now they call them our “edible fireworks.” They’re also super sturdy for packing, so I love including them in treat boxes or cookie trays to share with friends and neighbors.

Liliya

Ingredients Needed For Fireworks Celebration Cookies

All-purpose flour. Spoon and level your flour for the most accurate measurement. This creates a sturdy dough that’s still tender.
Baking powder. A little lift helps the cookies bake up soft but not cakey.
Salt. Essential for balance, especially with sweet cookies.
Unsalted butter. Use high-quality butter and make sure it’s fully softened for the creamiest texture.
Granulated sugar. Adds just the right amount of sweetness without making the dough too soft.
Egg. Binds everything together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract. Adds warmth and brings out the buttery sweetness.
Lemon extract. Brightens up the cookie with a light citrus note. Optional: a bit of fresh lemon zest for extra zing.

Icing Ingredients:

Confectioners’ sugar (sifted)
Meringue powder (not egg white powder)
Water
Gel food coloring (in bold patriotic colors)
Optional: sanding sugar, star sprinkles, or edible glitter

How I Make Fireworks Celebration Cookies

(This is a quick overview of how I make fireworks celebration cookies, with tips along the way. You’ll find the full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below.)

Whisk dry ingredients. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar. Beat softened butter and sugar on high until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add egg and flavorings. Mix in the egg, vanilla, lemon extract, and optional zest. Beat until combined.
Mix in the dry ingredients. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat on low until just combined. The dough will be soft.
Roll and chill. Divide dough in two, roll out each portion to 1/4 inch thick, and stack between parchment. Chill for at least 1–2 hours.
Cut and bake. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut dough into shapes using a flower or star cutter. Place 3 inches apart and bake for 11–12 minutes.
Cool completely. Let cookies sit on the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack. Don’t decorate until they’re fully cool!
Make royal icing. Beat powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until it drizzles smoothly. Adjust with more water or sugar to reach the right consistency.
Decorate. Tint icing with gel food coloring, pipe in a firework pattern, and add sparkles while the icing is wet. Let dry fully (about 2 hours).

Expert Tips for Fireworks Celebration Cookies

Chill the rolled-out dough for clean shapes and no spreading. It also makes cutting out your designs so much easier.

Use piping tip #2 or #3 for fine fireworks detail. These tips allow for cleaner lines and better control when decorating.

Pipe every other line first, dip into sprinkles, then go back and add the rest of the lines. This helps keep the colors separated and vibrant.

Let icing dry fully before stacking or storing ideally at room temperature for at least 2 hours.

If you’re short on time, place cookies in the fridge on a baking sheet to help speed up drying.

Add a tiny dot of royal icing under each sprinkle star to secure them in place.

Bake one test cookie first if you’re unsure about your oven’s hotspots or baking time.

Make the royal icing ahead it keeps well in the fridge (covered tightly) for up to 2 days.

How to Pack Them for Work and School

These cookies aren’t just party-ready they’re also perfect for taking on the go. Once the icing is completely dry, pack them in small airtight containers or reusable snack boxes with a piece of parchment between each cookie. You can also wrap them individually in parchment or wax paper and tuck them into lunchboxes or office bags. Because they’re sturdy and don’t crumble easily, they make a sweet midday treat that won’t turn into a mess in transit.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling with a full batch or sending them to school, layer the cookies in a tin with bubble wrap or a folded paper towel on top to protect that gorgeous icing design.

Fireworks Celebration Cookies Variations and Substitutions

Citrus Swap. Use orange extract or zest for a warmer, sunshiney flavor twist.
Almond Twist. Substitute the lemon extract with almond extract for a classic bakery-style sugar cookie flavor.
Gluten-Free Option. Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose baking flour. Be sure to chill the dough well before cutting.
Vegan Option. Swap the butter with vegan butter sticks and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water) in place of the egg.
Red, White & Blue All Over. Use colored sugar, sanding sugar, and patriotic sprinkles only — skip the icing for a quicker batch that still looks festive.
Frosting Alternative. Try a simple lemon or vanilla glaze instead of royal icing for a quicker, less structured finish.

Storing / Freezing Fireworks Celebration Cookies

Store decorated or plain cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

To freeze dough: Roll, cut, and freeze cookie cutouts on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months.

To freeze baked cookies: Cool completely, stack with parchment between each, and freeze in a sealed container.

Pro Tip: If you’re gifting or traveling, place a sheet of bubble wrap over the top layer of cookies to keep decorations safe.

Hosting a cookie decorating party is such a fun way to bring people together, especially around the Fourth of July! Bake the cookies a day ahead and set out different icing colors, sprinkles, and toppings in small bowls. Provide piping bags or squeeze bottles fitted with fine tips (like #2 or #3) for easy decorating. Cover your table with parchment or a disposable tablecloth for fast cleanup. Add in patriotic music, lemonade, and a little friendly competition, and you’ve got yourself a festive, memory-making afternoon.

Best Red, White & Blue Sprinkles to Use

The right sprinkles really make these Fireworks Celebration Cookies pop! I love using:

Sanding sugar in bold red, shimmering white, and royal blue
Metallic star sprinkles (silver or gold for sparkle)
Nonpareils or confetti sprinkles for texture
Edible glitter for that extra fireworks flair
Look for sprinkle mixes labeled “patriotic” or “Fourth of July” they often come with a fun combo of stars, jimmies, and bold colors.

How to Store Decorated Cookies for Gifting

Let the icing dry completely before wrapping. Layer cookies between parchment paper in a bakery box or festive tin. If shipping, wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then nestle into a sturdy box with padding (bubble wrap, tissue, or even crinkle paper). For a polished presentation, tie with baker’s twine and tuck in a cute note or tag.

FAQs About Fireworks Celebration Cookies

Can I use store-bought icing?

You can, especially if you’re in a pinch. But for best results, especially for intricate detail and firmness, royal icing made with meringue powder is ideal.