Looking for a super quick and absolutely adorable patriotic treat? These Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies are my go-to when I need something festive but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen! They're so simple that Emily (my daughter) can practically make them herself, and they always get snatched up at every summer gathering.
I first made these cake mix cookies for a last-minute 4th of July barbecue a few years ago when I realized I had forgotten to prepare a dessert. With just a couple of cake mixes and some food coloring, I created these soft, colorful cookies that ended up being the hit of the party!
If you're looking for more patriotic treats, you might also love my 4th of July Funfetti Dip that pairs perfectly with these cookies for a complete dessert spread.
Why You Will Like These Cookies with Red White and Blue Colors
- Only 6 ingredients needed (and most are probably already in your pantry!)
- No chilling required - from mixing bowl to plate in under 30 minutes
- Perfect for 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any patriotic celebration
- Incredibly soft and chewy texture that stays fresh for days
- Kid-friendly recipe that's perfect for little helping hands
- The powdered sugar coating creates a beautiful crackle effect
Ingredients for Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies
- 2 white cake mixes
- 4 eggs
- ⅔ cup oil (separated)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red food coloring
- Blue food coloring
How to Make Red White and Blue Cookies
- First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Next, mix the cake mix, 2 eggs and ⅓ of the oil in a large mixing bowl. The batter will be thick. Stir in the red food coloring until the dough is the color that you desire.
- Then mix the 2nd cake mix, 2 eggs and the remaining oil in a separate bowl. Stir in the blue food coloring until the dough is the color that you desire.
- You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer for these cookies, but I recommend mixing by hand since the batter gets so thick!
- Then use a cookie scoop and roll the dough in powdered sugar.
- Place on cookie sheets leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
- Then use a glass to gently press each cookie down.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookies brown slightly on the edges.
- Allow to cool completely and then serve.
Mixing the Dough for Perfect Cake Mix Cookies
When you're mixing these cookies, don't be alarmed by how thick the dough gets! This is totally normal for cake mix cookies.
The thick consistency actually helps them hold their shape while baking, giving you those perfect round cookies with a slightly crackled top.
I usually add the food coloring gradually until I get the exact shade I want. For a deeper blue, I've found that gel food coloring works better than the liquid kind.
And for the red, I sometimes add a tiny drop of pink to brighten it up if the red looks too dark.
Baking Tips for Red White and Blue Cookies
Watch these cookies carefully in the oven! Since they're made from cake mix, they can go from perfectly done to overdone in just a minute.
I like to pull them out when they're just barely starting to brown at the edges - they might look slightly underdone in the center, but they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.
The powdered sugar creates this gorgeous crackle effect as they bake. It's like magic watching them transform in the oven! (Emily always insists on peeking through the oven door to watch this happen!)
Storage Tips for Your Cake Mix Cookies
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
These cookies are best eaten within 2-3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long at my house! Emily and her friends can polish off a whole batch in one afternoon if I don't hide some away.
If you want to make these ahead of time, the baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to a month.
Just place them in a single layer in a freezer container with parchment paper between layers. Let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Fun Variations for Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies
These cookies are super versatile! Here are some of my favorite ways to switch them up:
- Change the colors for different holidays - green and red for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or your favorite team colors for game day!
- Try different cake mix flavors - chocolate cake mix makes amazing cookies too
- Add mix-ins like white chocolate chips or sprinkles for extra fun
- Make them as sandwich cookies with frosting in the middle (Emily's favorite version)
- Skip the powdered sugar coating and drizzle with white chocolate after baking
Want to get extra festive? Try serving these alongside my Red White and Blue Popsicles or 4th of July Chocolate Covered Strawberries for the ultimate patriotic dessert spread!
You could also pair them with my 4th of July Puppy Chow for a fun snack and dessert combo that kids absolutely love.
FAQ About Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies
Yes, you can substitute melted butter for oil in a 1:1 ratio.Butter gives the cookies a slightly richer flavor, but I prefer using oil because it helps keep them soft and moist for longer.I've tried both ways, and my family actually prefers the oil version because they stay chewy for days!
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.They taste best when eaten within 2-3 days of baking. I like to place a piece of bread in the container with them - it's an old trick my mom taught me that helps keep them soft.Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper so they don't stick together!
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it.This actually helps with the stickiness and makes them easier to roll. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 1 month in an airtight container.I've made them two days before a party before, and they still tasted fresh when I served them.
Use a cookie scoop for consistent sizing - this is a game-changer!Also, line your baking sheets with parchment paper, and don't forget to press the cookies down gently with a glass before baking.If the dough is too sticky (which can happen on hot, humid days), refrigerate it for about an hour before scooping.And don't skimp on the powdered sugar coating - that's what creates the pretty crackle effect!
More Patriotic Recipes You May Like
- 4th of July Oreo Balls - Another super easy no-bake patriotic treat that's perfect for summer gatherings
- 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats - A colorful twist on the classic that kids absolutely love
- 4th of July Fudge - Creamy, dreamy fudge with patriotic colors that makes a great gift or dessert option
Final Thoughts on Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies
These Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies have become a staple at all our summer celebrations.
They're incredibly quick to make, impossibly soft and chewy, and so festive with their bright patriotic colors!
I love recipes that look like they took hours but actually come together in minutes - it's my little secret to looking like a baking superstar without breaking a sweat.
Whether you're celebrating the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or just want to add some color to your cookie jar, these cake mix cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles.
And don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for your next patriotic gathering!
Red White and Blue Cake Mix Cookies
Equipment
- Cookie Scoop
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 2 white cake mixes
- 4 eggs
- ⅔ cup oil separated
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Red Food Coloring
- Blue Food Coloring
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Next, mix the cake mix, 2 eggs and ⅓ of the oil in a large mixing bowl. The batter will be thick. Stir in the red food coloring until the dough is the color that you desire.
- Then mix the 2nd cake mix, 2 eggs and the remaining oil in a separate bowl. Stir in the blue food coloring until the dough is the color that you desire.
- You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer for these cookies, but I recommend mixing by hand since the batter gets so thick!
- Then use a cookie scoop and roll the dough in powdered sugar.
- Place on cookie sheets leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
- Then use a glass to gently press each cookie down.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookies brown slightly on the edges.
- Allow to cool completely and then serve.
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