4th of July Fireworks Cookies – Bright, Buttery, and Bursting with Color
Celebrate America’s birthday with these 4th of July Fireworks Cookies—soft, chewy, and bursting with patriotic color! These cookies are made with a vanilla cake mix base, red-white-blue M&Ms, Oreo chunks, and festive sprinkles for that fun firework pop in every bite. 💥
Simple to make, vibrant on a platter, and absolutely delicious—this is a crowd-pleasing dessert that screams summer celebration. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or bringing dessert to a fireworks party, these cookies will fly off the tray!
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix 15.25 oz
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups Oreo chunks chopped into pieces, not crushed
- ¾ cup red white & blue M&Ms (divided)
- ½ cup patriotic sprinkles divided
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, beat together cake mix, butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla until well combined and soft.
- Fold in Oreo pieces, half the M&Ms, and half the sprinkles gently with a spatula.
Step 2: Chill
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour. This helps prevent spreading and keeps your cookies thick and soft.
Step 3: Scoop & Shape
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon balls. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Press extra M&Ms and sprinkles onto the tops of each cookie before baking.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 10 minutes, just until the edges are set.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
🥄 Variations
Chocolate Explosion: Use chocolate cake mix instead of vanilla. Creamy Burst: Add white chocolate chips or chopped Hershey’s Cookies & Creme bars. No Oreos? Use graham crackers or mini marshmallows for a s’mores twist. Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix and certified gluten-free M&Ms. Mini Cookies: Use a 1-tablespoon scoop for bite-sized party treats. 🧊 Storage & Freezing
Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezer (Baked): Freeze cooled cookies in layers with parchment for up to 2 months. Freezer (Dough): Scoop dough balls, freeze, then bake from frozen—just add 1–2 extra minutes to bake time. ❓ FAQs
Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling is key for thick, chewy cookies that don’t spread too much. Can I make them in advance?
Yes! Bake and store or freeze the dough for quick party prep. Do I need to crush the Oreos?
No—chop them roughly so you get chunky cookie bites inside each cookie. What if I don’t have cake mix?
These work best with boxed mix, but you can substitute with 2 cups flour + ¾ cup sugar + 1½ tsp baking powder + pinch of salt. Can I use margarine?
Butter gives the best flavor and texture, but margarine works in a pinch. Can I use other candy?
Yes—chopped Twix, Snickers, or patriotic-themed Hershey Kisses also work! What’s the best way to store them?
A tightly sealed container at room temp keeps them soft. Do these cookies spread a lot?
Not if chilled—chilling is essential for that thick, soft bakery-style texture. How do I get my cookies perfectly round?
Gently shape the warm cookies with a spoon after baking for a uniform look. Can I use a cookie scoop?
Definitely! A 2-tbsp scoop gives perfect-sized cookies.
🏁 Conclusion
These 4th of July Fireworks Cookies are festive, flavorful, and fun to make! With a soft cake-mix dough, crunchy Oreo bites, and candy explosions in every bite, they’re a total party favorite. Bring them to your Independence Day BBQ, pool party, or fireworks celebration—they’ll disappear faster than sparklers burn out! 🇺🇸✨
Chocolate Explosion: Use chocolate cake mix instead of vanilla. Creamy Burst: Add white chocolate chips or chopped Hershey’s Cookies & Creme bars. No Oreos? Use graham crackers or mini marshmallows for a s’mores twist. Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix and certified gluten-free M&Ms. Mini Cookies: Use a 1-tablespoon scoop for bite-sized party treats. 🧊 Storage & Freezing
Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezer (Baked): Freeze cooled cookies in layers with parchment for up to 2 months. Freezer (Dough): Scoop dough balls, freeze, then bake from frozen—just add 1–2 extra minutes to bake time. ❓ FAQs
Can I skip chilling the dough?
Chilling is key for thick, chewy cookies that don’t spread too much. Can I make them in advance?
Yes! Bake and store or freeze the dough for quick party prep. Do I need to crush the Oreos?
No—chop them roughly so you get chunky cookie bites inside each cookie. What if I don’t have cake mix?
These work best with boxed mix, but you can substitute with 2 cups flour + ¾ cup sugar + 1½ tsp baking powder + pinch of salt. Can I use margarine?
Butter gives the best flavor and texture, but margarine works in a pinch. Can I use other candy?
Yes—chopped Twix, Snickers, or patriotic-themed Hershey Kisses also work! What’s the best way to store them?
A tightly sealed container at room temp keeps them soft. Do these cookies spread a lot?
Not if chilled—chilling is essential for that thick, soft bakery-style texture. How do I get my cookies perfectly round?
Gently shape the warm cookies with a spoon after baking for a uniform look. Can I use a cookie scoop?
Definitely! A 2-tbsp scoop gives perfect-sized cookies.
🏁 Conclusion
These 4th of July Fireworks Cookies are festive, flavorful, and fun to make! With a soft cake-mix dough, crunchy Oreo bites, and candy explosions in every bite, they’re a total party favorite. Bring them to your Independence Day BBQ, pool party, or fireworks celebration—they’ll disappear faster than sparklers burn out! 🇺🇸✨