Festive Fourth of July Cookie Bars for Summer Celebrations

The Fourth of July Cookie Bars are like a sweet parade on your taste buds, bursting with patriotic flair and flavors. Picture this: soft, chewy cookie bars swirled with vibrant red and blue sprinkles, reminiscent of fireworks lighting up the night sky while you enjoy a backyard barbecue with family and friends. For more inspiration, check out this more dessert recipes recipe.

These delightful treats are perfect for celebrating Independence Day or any summer gathering. Each bite is a delicious reminder of sunny days and joyful celebrations, making it impossible to resist going back for seconds—or thirds!

I still remember the first time I made these cookie bars for a Fourth of July picnic. My friends devoured them faster than I could say “fireworks,” leaving me with only crumbs and a heart full of joy.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• All-Purpose Flour: This is your base; sift it well for lighter cookie bars.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the deal; you can mix in brown sugar for extra moisture.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control over saltiness; make sure it’s softened.
• Eggs: Fresh eggs provide structure; use large eggs for best results.
• Baking Powder: This leavening agent gives your bars that perfect rise; ensure it’s fresh.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors; don’t skip it!
• Red and Blue Sprinkles: These add festive color; feel free to get creative with designs!
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds depth; avoid imitation for best flavor.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

How to Make Fourth of July Cookie Bars

Prepare Your Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside. This ensures even distribution in your batter.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until fluffy and light in color—about 3 minutes should do it. The mixture should smell heavenly by now!

Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract until everything is combined smoothly. A good mix here ensures rich texture throughout.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mix, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want those bars tender!

Add Sprinkles and Bake: Fold in red and blue sprinkles gently into the batter. Spread it evenly into your prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

Let these bad boys cool completely before cutting them into squares. Trust me; patience pays off when you save your taste buds from molten lava-like cookie bars!

Now you’re ready to enjoy these Fourth of July Cookie Bars as you celebrate freedom—and perhaps indulge in a little sweet rebellion against any diet plans!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by preheating your oven while you mix the ingredients. This ensures an evenly baked treat. Prepare your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and less mess.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to swap out chocolate chips for dried fruit or nuts. You can also experiment with different extracts like almond or coconut for added flavor.

Storing & Reheating

Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For a warm treat, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.

Nothing beats the joy of seeing friends devour these bars at our annual cookout—it’s like instant happiness wrapped in a colorful dessert!

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Fourth of July Cookie Bars

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Celebrate Independence Day with these vibrant Fourth of July Cookie Bars! Soft, chewy, and adorned with red and blue sprinkles, these delightful treats are perfect for summer gatherings. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they’ll be the star of your dessert table, bringing joy to kids and adults alike.

• Author: Jennifer
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup mixed red and blue sprinkles
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes).
4. Add eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
6. Fold in the red and blue sprinkles.
7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
8. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie bar (50g)
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 90mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: <1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: Customize your cookie bars by adding chocolate chips or nuts if you prefer! Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For a warm treat, microwave individual bars for 10-15 seconds.