I don’t know about you, but when the 4th of July rolls around, I like to think about the fun and easy desserts. This year, I wanted something a little different from the usual red, white, and blue cupcakes. I wanted something easy, no-bake, and totally adorable. That’s how these 4th of July Cookie Dough Balls were born. They’re super easy Fourth of July Treats that you can whip up in no time to add to your dessert spread for any gatherings (or just because you like cookie dough)
They’re cute little bites of edible cookie dough served in mini cupcake liners, decked out in patriotic sprinkles. The best part? They’re safe to eat because there are no eggs and I’ll show you how to heat-treat the flour. Plus, you can make them ahead of time, so you’re not scrambling in the kitchen while everyone else is outside enjoying the sunshine and sparklers.
Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, heading to a potluck, or just want a festive treat to enjoy while watching the fireworks, these cute 4th of July desserts are bound to be a hit.
Jump to Recipe
Ingredients for 4th of July Cookie Dough
The ingredient list is short and sweet—just how I like it! Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up these star-spangled goodies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream for richness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (see below for how to heat treat it)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup red and blue sprinkles or red and blue mini M&Ms (I went with sprinkles)
- Mini cupcake liners (for serving)
That’s it! Simple pantry staples turn into one of the most festive 4th of July party food ideas you’ll make all summer.
How to Make Edible Cookie Dough
Prep your flour:
Heat-treat your flour in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or until it reaches a temperature of 160° F (I used a meat thermometer to measure). Or you can just bake at 350°F for 5 minutes to make it safe to eat. It’s really not safe to eat raw flour (I was surprised when I saw that it’s even written on most bags of flour!), so don’t skip this step, even though it seems like you could to save time.
Make the dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until smooth. Mix in the milk, vanilla, and salt.
Add the dry:
Stir in the heat-treated flour until combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips and red, white, and blue mix-ins.
Scoop into liners:
Press about a tablespoon of dough into mini cupcake liners (or use a small cookie scoop to portion).
Decorate (optional):
Drizzle with melted chocolate and top with more sprinkles for a pretty finish.
Chill & serve:
Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up—or just serve them soft!
That’s all it takes and you’re ready to wow your guests with one of the cutest Fourth of July treats ever.
Pro Tips
I’ve made these 4th of July cookie dough balls a lot (who doesn’t love edible cookie dough?), so here are my best tips to make yours just right:
Use Mini Liners for Maximum Cuteness
The mini cupcake liners make them feel like individual little desserts and keep them from sticking to each other on a tray. You can find red, white, and blue ones at most party stores or online to add to the cute 4th of July-ness of them, too.
Don’t Skip the Flour Heat-Treating
It only takes a couple minutes and ensures the dough is completely safe to eat. Really, to microwave my flour, I only had to microwave for about a minute and my flour reached a temperature of 190°, which is totally hot enough to kill the bacteria and things lurking in raw flour. So, if you don’t feel like turning on your oven, I definitely recommend heat treating with the microwave.
I usually heat treat my flour first so it has time to cool before adding it in with the rest of the ingredients
Make Them Ahead
These cookie dough cups keep really well in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can make them a few days before your 4th of July party and just pull them out when it’s dessert time. I would recommend keeping them in an airtight container in the fridge so they don’t absorb any unwanted flavors or smells.
Use Jimmies for Sprinkles
It’s very odd for me to call sprinkles Jimmies! To me, they’re just sprinkles. However, if you search sprinkles online or on a store’s website, you’ll get a lot of different things. You want the ones called jimmies, because those are coated in a kind of wax that keeps them from dissolving and bleeding their color all over your dough. Sanding sugar and nonpareils are not ideal for this recipe.
Keep ‘Em Cool
Because these are no-bake and contain butter, they can get soft if left out too long on a hot day. Keep them chilled until serving time, especially if you’re bringing them to an outdoor picnic or BBQ.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cookie dough instead?
I wouldn’t recommend it unless it specifically says it’s edible raw. Most store-bought doughs still contain eggs and/or untreated flour. This homemade version is just as easy and safer for everyone to enjoy.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour and be sure to check that your sprinkles and other decorations are gluten-free too. Don’t forget to heat treat that gluten-free flour!
Do I have to use mini liners?
Not at all. You can also scoop the dough into balls and serve them in a shallow dish or small paper cups. But the mini liners give them that bite-sized, party-ready look that makes them feel special.
How many cookie dough balls does this recipe make?
This recipe yields about 20–24 mini cookie dough balls, depending on how big you scoop them. Perfect for a crowd—or for sneaking one every time you pass the fridge.
Can I freeze them?
Yes! Place the finished cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge before serving.
I hope you love these 4th of July Cookie Dough Balls as much as I do. They’re festive, fun, and ridiculously easy—everything I want in a good summer dessert. Whether you’re making a full spread of 4th of July desserts or just looking for a sweet snack to enjoy after grilling, these are a must-add to your list of Fourth of July treats.
Let me know if you make them—I’d love to see how you decorate yours! 💙❤️🤍
4th of July Cookie Dough Balls
Equipment
- 1 Small Cookie Scoop Optional, but it makes your dough balls more uniform in size and easier to handle
- 1 Electric Hand or Stand Mixer
- 20-24 Mini Cupcake Liners For serving
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour heat treated
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup red and blue sprinkles or red and blue mini M&Ms I went with sprinkles
Instructions
- Heat-treat your flour in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or until it reaches a temperature of 160° F. Or you can just bake at 350°F for 5 minutes to make it safe to eat.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until smooth.
- Mix in the milk, vanilla, and salt.
- Stir in the heat-treated flour until combined.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips and red, white, and blue mix-ins.
- Press about a tablespoon of dough into mini cupcake liners (or use a small cookie scoop to portion).
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up—or just serve them soft!
