Name: Patriotic Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz); 2 large eggs; ⅓ cup vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup powdered sugar; red and blue gel food coloring

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If you’re looking for a treat to spark some festive joy at your next summer celebration, these Patriotic Crinkle Cookies have you covered! Each bite is a delightful swirl of vibrant red, white, and blue with a soft and chewy texture that makes them absolutely irresistible. The simple cake mix base does all the heavy lifting, turning out eye-catching cookies that taste just as sweet as they look—perfect for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or any moment that calls for a little extra fun and color.

Patriotic Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these cookies is in their simplicity—every ingredient plays a part in building the unique look and flavor of Patriotic Crinkle Cookies. From the convenience of a box cake mix to the boldness of gel food coloring, you’ll find that each component adds something special.

White cake mix (15.25 oz): Delivers a touch of vanilla flavor and a perfectly soft, pillowy base for your cookies.
Large eggs: Help bind the dough and give the cookies their chewy texture.
Vegetable oil: Adds essential moisture for a tender result with just the right amount of richness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, making every tri-color bite extra delicious.
Powdered sugar: Creates that irresistible crinkle pattern while adding a sweet touch to every bite.
Red and blue gel food coloring: Make your colors vibrant and stand out—much more effective than liquid coloring for these showstopping treats.

How to Make Patriotic Crinkle Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, so it’s ready to bake up those colorful cookies. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this not only keeps the cookies from sticking but also makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Grab a large mixing bowl and stir together the white cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined and you have a soft, thick dough. This base will make your cookies chewy and flavorful, plus it’s incredibly easy!

Step 3: Divide and Dye

Now comes the fun part! Divide the dough evenly into three separate bowls. Leave one as is for your “white” portion, then add red gel food coloring to one bowl and blue gel coloring to the other. Stir each until you have bold, uniform colors—gel food coloring really makes these hues pop for a truly patriotic effect.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Using a tablespoon, scoop a small portion from each dough (red, white, and blue). Gently press the three colors together and roll between your hands to make a tri-color ball. This step turns every Patriotic Crinkle Cookie into a mini firework of color!

Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar

Take your dough balls and give them a generous roll in powdered sugar, making sure they are completely coated. This coating is what transforms into that classic “crinkle” look when the cookies bake.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place your cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. Pop them in the oven for 10–12 minutes, just until they’re set but still soft in the center. The crinkled tops will be dreamy, and the centers will stay wonderfully chewy.

Step 7: Cool Down

Let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes—it helps them finish setting and makes transferring them easier. Then move to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

How to Serve Patriotic Crinkle Cookies

Garnishes

Let your Patriotic Crinkle Cookies shine with an extra dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. For more flair, add red, white, and blue sprinkles on top while they’re still a bit warm, so they gently stick.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with summer staples like fresh berries, vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream. Plating them with a bowl of juicy strawberries and blueberries transforms snack time into a festive spread everyone will love.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the cookies in a clear jar tied with holiday ribbon, or arrange them in a flag pattern on a platter for a truly memorable party centerpiece. Patriotic Crinkle Cookies also make charming gift bags for neighbors, classmates, or party guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to four days—if they last that long!

Freezing

Patriotic Crinkle Cookies freeze like a dream. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container with layers separated by parchment paper. They’ll keep their flavor for up to three months—simply thaw on the counter before serving.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked freshness, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 8–10 seconds. The centers will become soft and warm, making them taste like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

While you can use liquid food coloring, gel food coloring is much more vibrant and less likely to water down your dough, helping you achieve those bold, beautiful hues that make Patriotic Crinkle Cookies truly stand out.

Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just use your favorite gluten-free white cake mix. Everything else in the recipe stays the same, and you’ll still get wonderfully chewy, colorful cookies.

How do I keep the dough from sticking to my hands?

If your dough gets too sticky, a light coating of powdered sugar on your hands will help. You can also chill the dough for 10–15 minutes before rolling to make it easier to work with.

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the dough up to a day ahead and keep the colored portions covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, roll the dough in powdered sugar and bake as directed.

Will the colors bleed together when baked?

If you avoid overmixing when pressing the three colors together, you’ll keep those bright, defined streaks. Slight merging is normal and part of their playful, swirled appeal.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re celebrating with family, hosting a party, or just want to add a burst of color to your dessert table, these Patriotic Crinkle Cookies are pure joy. They’re as delightful to make as they are to eat, and I promise they’ll disappear as quickly as you bake them—give them a try and watch the smiles appear!

Patriotic Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Patriotic Crinkle Cookies are a festive and delicious treat, perfect for patriotic holidays like the 4th of July. Made with a white cake mix base and colored with red and blue gel food coloring, these cookies are easy to make and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix (15.25 oz)
2 large eggs
⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup powdered sugar
red and blue gel food coloring

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix dough: In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until a soft dough forms.
Color dough: Divide the dough into three bowls. Leave one plain, tint one with red gel food coloring, and the other with blue. Mix until colors are well incorporated.
Form cookies: Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough from each color and press together into tricolor balls. Roll in powdered sugar and place on baking sheet.
Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until set but soft in the center. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.