Celebrate with this easy and festive 4th of July Cookie Cake! Loaded with white chocolate chips and red, white, and blue M&M’s, this giant cookie makes the perfect centerpiece for your patriotic desserts table—finished with creamy buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
Patriotic desserts worth making for your celebration
A cookie by any other name—is it a cookie cake, cookie pie, skillet cookie, cookie pizza or pizookie? Who cares what you call it? Once you take a bite of this chewy red, white and blue cookie cake, fireworks will happen! This 4th of July Cookie Cake is filled with white chocolate chips and M&M’s, topped with buttercream and sprinkles. It’s one of those 4th of July desserts that looks impressive but is super easy to make.
Summer cookie cakes are the best! Sure, you have to turn on the oven, but it’s quick—no rolling dough or babysitting batches. Just one giant cookie, baked in minutes. Whether you’re heading to a potluck, hosting a backyard BBQ, or need a fun patriotic treat, this cookie cake is a crowd favorite. Kids (and adults!) will be lining up for a slice. It’s thick, chewy, and easy to serve—no plates or forks needed.
Looking for more easy and patriotic desserts? Try this bright and colorful 4th of July Bundt Cake, a sweet and fresh Blueberry Watermelon Salad, or cool off with my creamy, no-churn Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream. There’s something for everyone at your celebration!
Favorite 8″ Skillet
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
- Pre-Seasoned
- Even heating
- Oven, stove, grill or campfire
Simple Ingredients for 4th of July Cookie Cake
- Flour: I use unbleached all-purpose flour in my baking. Don’t forget to perform the fluff, scoop and sweep method!
- Butter: Go for real, good butter here, nothing soft coming from the fridge.
- Sugars: Use white sugar, natural cane sugar, and light or dark brown sugar.
- Vanilla: Real vanilla extract is a must!
- Egg: Make sure it’s room temp! I use large eggs in my baking.
- Mix-Ins: I used White chocolate chips and red, white, and blue M&Ms, perfect for the Fourth of July.
- Sprinkles: Choose fun and patriotic sprinkles online or at the grocery store for the perfect 4th of July dessert.
- Frosting: Decorate the skillet cookie cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. Purchase your favorite brand of icing from the store, or check out my easy and delicious homemade recipe or use homemade whipped cream – but be sure to refrigerate your cookie cake.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make a Fourth of July Cookie Cake
Step 1 – Mix the chocolate chip cookie dough
First, preheat the oven to 350° F (175° C), then in a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer or hand mixer, using the paddle attachment; cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes until light and creamy.
Next, mix the vanilla extract and room-temperature egg for one minute on medium-high speed.
Once thoroughly combined, begin slowly pouring in the flour mixture you set aside earlier. Mixing on low speed until just combined.
Step 2 | Add the chocolate and press into the skillet
Now that the chocolate chip cookie dough is complete sprinkle in the M&Ms and white chocolate chips. Fold them into the dough until they are evenly incorporated. Lightly butter or spray with oil the cast iron skillet or line with a piece of parchment paper.
Press the dough into gently using your fingers or a sheet of parchment paper. Add the sprinkles, and you’re ready to bake!
Favorite 8″ Skillet
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
- Pre-Seasoned
- Even heating
- Oven, stove, grill or campfire
Kathleen’s Top Tips
- Double the recipe and bake it in a 12-inch cast iron skillet to make a larger red, white, white, and blue cookie cake. Cook a little longer until it puffs up and has golden edges.
- Use parchment paper to line the skillet instead of oil or butter. Makes it easier to remove too!
Step 3 – Bake your red white and blue cookie
Slip the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the surface of the giant pizza cookie is a subtle golden brown color. Then, remove it and allow the cookie to cool completely before frosting.
Step 4 – Add frosting and serve!
If making homemade, make your buttercream frosting according to recipe card instructions, then transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitting with a 1M star tip if desired (or place into a ziplock baggie and snip ½ inch off the end).
Pipe the frosting around the outer edge of the skillet cookie. If you’re feeling extra festive, sprinkle a pinch of red, white, and blue sprinkles on top, slice, and serve by slicing wedges, like a fun dessert pizza!
Favorite Piping Bags
- Reusable piping bags
- Variety of sizes
- BPA free
- Heavy duty, Silicone
- Don’t forget your tips
Pro Baking Tips
- Avoid overmixing and overbaking the red, white, and blue sugar cookie cake. Aim for a tender texture that is neither too dry nor doughy; edges should be golden, and the middle should be dull and not glossy.
- Instead of separating red and blue m&m from a regular pack, look for special Independence Day M&Ms in local stores or purchase them online.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet at home, use a 9-inch basic cake pan or pie plate.
High Altitude Red, Whit,e and Blue Dessert Cookie
- Add 2 additional tablespoons of flour.
- Subtract two tablespoons of brown sugar.
- Increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190° C).
- Bake for about 15-18 minutes or until the cookie turns golden brown at the edges.
I love gathering with family and friends to show our love and appreciation for our country. Besides the company, the best part is the tasty cookout-style dishes and red, white, and blue desserts. Try my Patriotic Ice Cream, use red, white and blue sprinkles in my cake mix cookies, try these Strawberry Phyllo Cheesecake Cups, or this Strawberry Shortcake Cookie.
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap the Colors: patriotic dessert fit for any occasion by swapping the M&M colors and using different sprinkles. It’s perfect for birthdays, graduations, summer cookouts, and more! As is, this recipe is also great for Presidents Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day, and Memorial Day.
- Frosting: Bring more red, white, and blue by dying the frosting and making a pattern of patriotic dots around the edge of the cookie cake. You can even make white and red stripes with a blue square and white dots for stars to make a delicious American flag cookie cake.
- Gluten-Free Cookie Cake: Make this recipe gluten-free using ½ GF all-purpose flour and ½ almond flour, oat flour, or coconut flour, and ensure the sprinkles and vanilla extract are gluten-free.
- Swap out the white chocolate chips with semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips.
- Make it a giant patriotic sugar cookie by following my Cadbury Cookie Cake recipe.
Favorite 8″ Skillet
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
- Pre-Seasoned
- Even heating
- Oven, stove, grill or campfire
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil it will keep on the counter for 2-3 days. Refrigerate for up to five days, but is best served fresh.
How to Freeze a Skillet Cookie
Save your cookie cake leftovers for up to three months by storing them in a freezer-safe bag or container in the freezer. Then, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing it again.
4th of July Cookie Cake FAQs
Your cookie cake is safe at room temperature on the countertop before frosting for 2-3 days. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil or place it in an airtight container for the best results if it needs to sit longer.
Sure! Skip the toppings and frosting until the day you will serve the recipe. Follow the instructions to remove the cake from the oven, then let it cool and store it in the freezer, wrapped 2 x in plastic wrap, then again in foil or placed in a freezer baggie. Freeze up to 3 months.
Yes! To reheat a cookie cake, place it in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven. For a full cake, warm it for 8–10 minutes, loosely covered with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. If you’re reheating individual slices, 4–6 minutes is usually enough. If the cookie cake has frosting, it’s best to gently scrape it off before reheating, then reapply or serve fresh after warming.
You have a couple of options. First, leave the butter on the countertop for about 30 minutes before starting the recipe. Or warm the butter in the microwave for just 7-12 seconds (mine has it perfect at 12 seconds). Cut butter into cubes and place on a plate; it will become room temperature in no time.
What to serve with Patriotic Pizookie Recipe
Serve this recipe with homemade cool whip and fresh berries on the side, or try a scoop of homemade ice cream!
Best Entrees and Sides for Patriotic Cookie Cake
Before diving into your homemade cookie cake, choose entrees and sides perfect for your 4th of July backyard or beach BBQ. Try my Bacon Balsamic Macaroni Salad, and the best Cowboy Baked Beans with Bacon with this saucy Oven Baked Beef Brisket. Or go traditional and make these amazing Smashburgers with Smash Sauce!
Our favorite drinks to serve for Patriotic holidays
Whether you are gathering with adults or families this Fourth of July, serve refreshing and delicious beverages that pair wonderfully with your chocolate chip cookie cake, like this Blueberry Gin Cocktail, all-American Blueberry Limemade with or without alcohol, or a sweet Cherry Bomb with rich bourbon and maple syrup.
More Fourth of July Cookie Ideas
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars & Bites with patriotic sprinkles
- Easy Sugar Cookie Fudge Recipe with 4th of July Sprinkles
- Crumbl Sugar Cookie Recipe with white icing and festive sprinkles
- Pan Banging Sugar Cookies with white, red, and blue chocolate drizzles
- Mini Cast Iron Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (Half Baked Cookies)
- Easy Chewy Blondies Recipe
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
I hope you loved this Summer Cookie Cake— if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter 1 stick, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup sugar I use all natural cane sugar
- 10 tablespoons light brown sugar packed (that’s ½ cup + 2 tablespoons) (reduce to ½ cup high altitude)
- 1 large egg room temperature, quick room temp, set egg in bowl of warm (not hot) water, 5-7 minutes.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons high altitude
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup White Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup m&ms Red White and Blue or favorite colors
- Patriotic Sprinkles
- ½ can Buttercream Vanilla Frosting or make your own, even better! Make up ½ recipe of my vanilla buttercream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to Bake at 350° F (175° C) and line an 8-inch oven-proof skillet (I love cast iron) with parchment paper or lightly spray with oil or rub with butter. (375°F (190° C) for high altitude)
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Next, cream together butter and both sugars with paddle attachment on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.½ cup butter, ¼ cup sugar, 10 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Add in your vanilla and egg, and mix on medium-high speed for 1 minute, scraping sides if needed.1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Slowly add in your flour mixture. Don't overmix, just until incorporated and no streaks remain.
- After everything is combined, stir in your M&Ms and white chocolate chips; gently fold them into your dough, or stir for a few seconds on the lowest setting.½ cup White Chocolate Chips, ½ cup m&ms
- Press cookie dough into the bottom of prepared cast-iron skillet that is well-greased with a little oil or butter (or line it with parchment paper). Add your sprinkles on top.Patriotic Sprinkles
- Bake at 350° F (175° C) for 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden; see notes for High Altitude. For high altitude, bake at 375°F (190° C) checking at 15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
- Make your buttercream frosting or stir store-bought frosting well, then fill your piping bag with white buttercream and pipe icing around the edge of your cooled cookie cake. Add additional Sprinkles if you like. Slice and enjoy.½ can Buttercream Vanilla Frosting
Notes
- Increase flour by two tablespoons
- Decrease brown sugar by two tablespoons
- Increase oven temperature to 375°F (190° C) and bake 15-20 minutes until just turning golden brown.
Nutrition
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I was looking for a recipe like this for 4th of July, thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try it soon!
Thank you!
Dannii
This cookie cake was so fun. My kids loved it.
Yay!! Love hearing that!!
Tayler
My kids love skillet cookies, so I can’t wait to make this with them for 4th of july!
Know they’ll love it!!
Beth
I am SO bringing this to our 4th of July party this year. It looks delicious!
Such a fun treat to do that with!!
Suja md
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Thank you
Tasia
Cookie cakes are the best and I love that this one bakes in a skillet! I just used regular sprinkles and my girls are going to love a slice with a scoop of ice cream after school today!
Perfect with a scoop of ice cream!!