Description
These adorable cookies are the perfect sweet treat for your Independence Day celebration. They combine buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread with a pop of festive color, making them as fun to look at as they are to eat.
Ingredients
1 – 15.25 ounce vanilla cake mix
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups Oreo cookie chunks (14 chocolate cream-filled)
¾ cup red, white, & blue M&M’s, divided
½ cup red, white, & blue sprinkles, divided
Instructions
Combine cake mix, softened butter, cream cheese, egg, and vanilla until a soft dough forms.
Gently mix in Oreo chunks, cup M&M’s, and cup sprinkles.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Scoop dough into 24 balls using a 2-tablespoon scoop.
Press remaining M&M’s into the tops of the dough balls.
Add extra sprinkles if desired.
Bake for 10 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on the hot pan for 2 minutes before transferring them to parchment paper.
Allow cookies to cool completely before storing in a sealed container.
Notes
Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is properly softened but not melted. It should be easy to cream with the sugar.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten, resulting in tougher cookies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
Chill Time: Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s vital for the cookies to hold their shape in the oven.
Cooling Completely: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before serving. This allows them to set and develop their texture.
Sprinkle Placement: Gently press the sprinkles onto the cookies before baking. This helps them adhere to the dough during the baking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American