As we gear up for fireworks, barbecues, and all things red, white, and blue, I just want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for being part of this little corner of the internet where we celebrate flavor, fun, and the simple joy of baking something sweet for the people we love. And today? Oh, today we’re going full-on festive with these 4th of July Fireworks Cookies!
They’re soft, puffy, and positively packed with patriotic color thanks to red, white, and blue M&M’s and sprinkles. Plus, there’s a surprise twist—chunks of Oreo cookies that make these even more irresistible. I promise you, these cookies are anything but boring!!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something truly magical about a cookie that brings people together, and these 4th of July Fireworks Cookies do just that. They’re a celebration in every bite: soft, chewy, packed with texture from the Oreo chunks, and bursting with patriotic color thanks to the festive M&M’s and sprinkles. They’re incredibly easy to make (hello, cake mix shortcut!) and look like they came straight from a bakery window.
Whether hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to a fireworks watch party, or just baking with the kids for fun, these cookies are guaranteed to steal the show. They’re fun, festive, and fabulously delicious.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own batch of Fireworks Cookies:
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1 (15.25 oz) box vanilla cake mix
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8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
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4 ounces cream cheese, softened
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 cups Oreo cookie chunks (about 14 cookies)
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3/4 cup red, white, and blue M&M’s, divided
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1/2 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles, divided
How to Make 4th of July Fireworks Cookies
Step 1: Make the dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft, thick dough forms.
Step 2: Fold in the fun
Gently stir in Oreo cookie chunks, 1/2 cup of the M&M’s, and 1/4 cup of the sprinkles. (This part is so satisfying!!)
Step 3: Chill out
Refrigerate the dough for 60 minutes. Trust me, this helps the cookies hold their shape and gives them that dreamy puffiness.
Step 4: Prep and preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 5: Scoop and top
Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to form about 24 dough balls. Press the remaining M&M’s and sprinkles on top for maximum color and crunch.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 10 minutes—no more! They might look underdone, but that’s the secret to soft cookies. Let them sit on the hot baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to parchment on the counter to cool completely.
Helpful Tips
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Don’t skip chilling: This step is what keeps your cookies thick and puffy instead of flat and spread out.
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Fold in gently: Carefully mix in the add-ins, taking your time to keep the Oreo chunks mostly intact.
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Decorate before baking: Pressing the M&M’s and sprinkles into the top gives them that bakery-style look!
Substitutions & Variations
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No vanilla cake mix? Try white or yellow cake mix instead.
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Mix up the colors: Swap out the red, white, and blue theme for any holiday—Halloween orange and black, Christmas red and green… you get the idea!
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Add white chocolate chips: A handful adds a creamy contrast to the Oreos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough ahead and keep it chilled for up to 2 days before baking.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Once solid, store in a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen—just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Are these cookies chewy or cakey?
They’re soft and thick with a slightly cakey texture thanks to the cake mix. That combo with the creamy Oreos? So. Good.
Storage Instructions
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, try placing a slice of bread in the container—it works like magic!
Conclusion
Every holiday deserves a little extra sparkle—and with these Fireworks Cookies, you get that in the sweetest way possible. They’re not just cookies; they’re memories waiting to happen. I hope you find as much joy baking and sharing them as I did. Happy 4th of July, my friends—may your day be filled with laughter, love, and lots of cookies! 🇺🇸
If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out! I always love hearing from you. 💕
Print
4th of July Fireworks Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These 4th of July Fireworks Cookies are soft, thick, and packed with patriotic flair! Bursting with red, white, and blue M&M’s, colorful sprinkles, and chunks of Oreo cookies, they’re the ultimate festive treat. Quick to mix up thanks to a cake mix shortcut, these cookies are sure to be the star of your Independence Day dessert table!
Ingredients
1 (15.25 oz) box vanilla cake mix
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups Oreo cookie chunks (about 14 cookies)
3/4 cup red, white, and blue M&M’s, divided
1/2 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles, divided
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine cake mix, softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla. Mix until a soft, thick dough forms.
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Gently fold in Oreo chunks, 1/2 cup of the M&M’s, and 1/4 cup of the sprinkles.
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Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 60 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Scoop dough using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to form 24 dough balls.
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Press remaining M&M’s and sprinkles into the tops of each dough ball.
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Bake for 10 minutes. Let cookies rest on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a parchment-lined surface to cool completely.
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Store in an airtight container once cooled.
Notes
Don’t skip chilling the dough—this keeps the cookies from spreading too much.
To keep cookies soft for days, store with a slice of bread in the container.
Easily swap M&M colors for other holidays or events!
Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for future festive fun.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (Chill Time: 30 minutes)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg