Description
Soft-baked, colorful, and bursting with patriotic M&M’s, Oreos, and sprinkles—these Fireworks Cookies are the ultimate red, white, and blue treat. Perfect for BBQs, summer picnics, and celebrating Independence Day with a sweet bang!
Ingredients
• 1 (15.25 oz) box vanilla cake mix
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups Oreo cookie chunks (about 14 chocolate cream-filled cookies)
• ¾ cup red, white & blue M&M’s, divided
• ½ cup red, white & blue sprinkles, divided
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Dough:
• In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla extract.
• Mix until a soft cookie dough forms.
2️⃣ Add the Mix-Ins:
• Gently fold in the Oreo chunks, ½ cup of the M&M’s, and ¼ cup of the sprinkles.
3️⃣ Chill:
• Cover and refrigerate the dough for 60 minutes to firm up.
4️⃣ Preheat the Oven:
• Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5️⃣ Form & Top:
• Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to create 24 dough balls.
• Press the remaining M&M’s into the tops and add extra sprinkles if desired.
6️⃣ Bake:
• Arrange on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes.
• Let cookies cool on the hot pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to parchment paper.
7️⃣ Cool & Store:
• Allow to cool completely before storing in a tightly sealed container.
Notes
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Chilling the dough is essential for thick, bakery-style cookies. It prevents spreading and enhances flavor.
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For extra-soft cookies, add a 3.4 oz box of dry vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding mix to the dough.
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Press additional M&M’s and sprinkles on top of the dough balls just before baking for a more festive look.
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You can freeze the cookie dough balls and bake directly from frozen—just add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.
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Swap in gluten-free cake mix and cookies for an allergy-friendly version.
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Cookies stay fresh up to 5 days in an airtight container or 2 months frozen.
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Try adding edible glitter or a sprinkle of Pop Rocks after baking for a fun, firework-like surprise in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (about 40g)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: 4th of July Desserts, Cookie Recipes, Summer Baking, Patriotic Treats, BBQ Desserts, Cake Mix Recipes, Festive Cookies, Easy Party Recipes, M&M Cookies, Oreo Dessert Ideas