These festive star-shaped sugar cookies are a delightful treat that light up any celebration, especially during patriotic holidays. I love how the bright red, white, and blue icing mimics the sparkle of fireworks, adding a fun and colorful touch to the dessert table.

Firework Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I adore this recipe for its simplicity and versatility. The sugar cookie dough holds its shape beautifully when baked, which makes it ideal for using cookie cutters. I can whip up the dough quickly, and unless I’m worried about spreading, there’s no need to chill it. The royal icing is another highlight—it’s smooth, shiny, and sets perfectly, making the cookies easy to decorate with vibrant colors. Whether I’m prepping these ahead of time or decorating with kids, they always turn out to be a showstopper.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Cut‑Out Sugar Cookies

all‑purpose flour
baking powder
salt
unsalted butter, room temperature
powdered (confectioners’) sugar
large egg, room temperature
pure vanilla extract

Royal Icing

meringue powder
warm water
pure vanilla extract
powdered sugar, sifted
blue gel food coloring
red gel food coloring

Directions

I preheat the oven to 400 °F and line my baking sheets with parchment paper.
I whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set it aside.
In a separate bowl, I cream the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
I slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
I roll out the dough to ¼‑inch thickness, cut it into star shapes, and transfer the cookies to the baking sheets. If I want to prevent spreading, I chill them for 20 minutes.
I bake the cookies for 7–8 minutes until the edges are just set. After cooling for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, I move them to a wire rack.
For the icing, I beat meringue powder with warm water until foamy, then add vanilla and powdered sugar. I whip the mixture until it forms soft peaks and adjust with more water if needed.
I outline and flood the cookies with white icing and let them dry completely.
Then, I dye the remaining icing red and blue, and pipe firework designs on top using small round tips. I let the cookies dry fully before serving.

Servings and timing

Yield: About 24 cookies
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes per batch
Total time: Approximately 5 hours (including icing drying time)

Variations

I like to play around with different shapes like flags or letters for different holidays. Sometimes I swirl the icing for a marbled effect or sprinkle edible glitter for extra sparkle. To switch up the flavor, I’ll add a touch of almond or citrus extract to the dough—it gives a refreshing twist.

Storage/Reheating

I make the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Once baked and decorated, I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. When freezing decorated cookies, I wrap them in small stacks and place them in a sealed container—they stay fresh for about 3 months.

FAQs

How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?

I keep the dough cool and avoid over-mixing. Chilling the cut shapes before baking helps them hold their form.

What’s the secret to smooth royal icing?

I whip the icing to soft peaks and use a toothpick to spread it evenly. Consistency is key, so I adjust with water or sugar as needed.

How do I fix icing that’s too runny or too thick?

When it’s too runny, I add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, I stir in a few drops of water until it flows smoothly.

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

I prefer gel because it’s more concentrated and doesn’t thin the icing like liquid food coloring might.

What’s the best way to dry the decorated cookies?

I let them sit in a cool, dry place for several hours or overnight. This ensures the icing sets completely without smudging.

Conclusion

These Firework Cookies are a joy to bake and decorate. They’re festive, fun, and easy to personalize for any occasion. I find them to be the perfect sweet treat for summer parties or patriotic holidays—each bite is as delightful as it is colorful.