4th of July Berry Star Cookies are simple soft sugar cookies cut into star shapes, then baked & topped with our favorite buttercream frosting and berries! Perfect for 4th of July!
The combination of the soft cookie, sweet frosting, and juicy fruit creates a delightful blend of flavors in every bite.
Star-Shaped Cookies
The use of star-shaped cookies during the 4th of July celebrations is a long-standing tradition. In addition to their symbolic significance, star-shaped cookies are also a fun and creative way to celebrate the holiday. They can be decorated with a variety of toppings, such as buttercream frosting and fresh fruit, to create a colorful and festive dessert.
Whether you are hosting a 4th of July party or just looking for a fun and festive treat to make with your family, these Berry Star Cookies are sure to impress. They are easy to make, beautiful to look at, and delicious to eat. So fire up the oven, grab your cookie cutters, and get ready to celebrate America’s birthday in style with these tasty treats!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Star Cookie Recipe
- Versatile recipe. You can use any combination of berries that you like, from strawberries to blueberries to raspberries. The buttercream frosting is also easy to customize – you can add a little bit of food coloring to make it red, white, and blue, or you can keep it simple and classic with a plain white frosting.
- Simple to make. Another great thing about these cookies is that they are easy to make. The dough comes together quickly and can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to bake. The frosting is also simple to make and can be whipped up in just a few minutes.
- Impress your guests. The star shape is a fun and festive twist on traditional cookies, and the fresh fruit and buttercream frosting add a touch of elegance and sophistication. Whether you are hosting a large party or just a small gathering, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
Ingredients for Patriotic Berry Star Cookies
Sugar: You will need 1 cup of sugar for a simple yet delicious cookie base.
Butter: Add in ½ cup of butter, softened, for wonderfully rich and flavorful treats.
Egg: Bind the ingredients together by using 1 egg in this recipe.
Vanilla extract: Help enhance the flavors in this dough by adding 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Sour cream: To create soft cookies, use ⅓ cup of sour cream.
Salt: Balance the incredible taste of this cookie dough by adding ½ tsp of salt.
Baking soda: You need ½ tsp of baking soda to help these cookies rise and puff up as they bake.
Flour: The structural base of this cookie recipe is 2 cups of flour.
Buttercream Frosting
Butter: Using ½ cup of butter, softened, will create a rich and thick frosting.
Powder sugar: You will need 4 cups of powdered sugar for a delightful and sweet cookie topping.
Milk: Help thin out the frosting by adding ¼ cup of milk.
Extracts: Flavor the topping by using 1 tsp of vanilla and ½ tsp of almond extract.
Berry Topping
Fruit: You will need fresh strawberries, quartered, and whole blueberries, to add a beautiful touch to each cookie and more incredible flavor.
How to make 4th of July Star Cookies with Berries
Dough
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream the sugar and butter for 2-3 minutes. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream, mix until combined.
Next, in a separate small bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda. Proceed to add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture; beat until smooth.
Place a towel or plastic wrap over the bowl of dough and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours for the best results.
Shape & bake
Start preheating to 375°F before you begin rolling out the dough.
Now, pull the chilled dough out of the fridge and roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4″ thickness. Use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut the cookie dough, transfer each star to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Reroll dough until it all has been used and shaped into stars.
Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Let them cool for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Then beat in the powder sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract, until smooth (about 2 minutes). If desired, add additional milk, a little at a time, for a thinner frosting consistency.
Assemble
Before frosting the cookies, prepare your fruit first. Wash the strawberries and blueberries, remove any stems or leaves. Then dice the strawberries into quarters, leave the blueberries whole.
Next, spread the frosting on each cooled cookie. Then top each star with a thin piece of strawberry and put 3 blueberries in the center of each cookie.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Decorating Techniques for 4th of July Berry Cookies
Applying Buttercream Frosting: To achieve a smooth and even layer of buttercream frosting on the 4th of July Berry Star Cookies, use a piping bag with a star tip. Start at the center of the cookie and pipe outward in a circular motion, making sure to cover the entire surface. If the frosting becomes too soft, place the cookies in the refrigerator for a few minutes before continuing.
Creating Star Shapes: To create the star shapes on the 4th of July Berry Star Cookies, use a star-shaped cookie cutter. Cut out the dough and bake according to the recipe instructions. Once cooled, pipe buttercream frosting onto the center of each cookie, leaving the points of the star unfrosted. Then, use fresh blueberries and strawberries to fill in the unfrosted points, creating a patriotic and delicious treat.
Adding Fresh Fruit Toppings: To add fresh fruit toppings to the 4th of July Berry Star Cookies, start by washing and drying the fruit. Cut the strawberries into small pieces and leave the blueberries whole. Place the fruit on top of the buttercream frosting, making sure to arrange them in a visually appealing way. For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top of the fruit.
Storage and Freshness Tips for Berry Sugar Cookies
To maintain the freshness of the cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator to extend freshness by 2-3 days.
It is important to note, the cookies store best without fresh berries. If baking ahead of time, store the baked cookies in the fridge or freezer. Remove and let them thaw, then top with frosting and berries.
The cookies can be frozen up to 1 month frosted or 3-4 months unfrosted. Dough can be frozen for 3-4 months if stored in an airtight container.
How can I ensure the buttercream frosting holds up in heat?
To ensure that the buttercream frosting holds up in outdoor July heat, it is recommended to keep the cookies in a shaded area or indoors until ready to serve. If possible, place them in a cooler with ice packs to keep them cool.
What type of berries work best for a patriotic presentation?
Red and blue berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, work best for a patriotic presentation. These berries can be arranged on top of the buttercream frosting to create a festive and colorful display.
Is there a recommended substitute for buttercream frosting for those with dairy allergies?
For those with dairy allergies, a dairy-free frosting made with coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute can be used as a substitute for buttercream frosting.
What is the best technique for applying fresh fruit to prevent it from bleeding into the frosting?
To prevent fresh fruit from bleeding into the frosting, it is recommended to gently pat the fruit dry with a paper towel before placing it on top of the frosting. Another technique is to arrange the fruit on top of the frosting just before serving.
Love cookies with fruit? So do we! Give these other recipes a try:
- White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
- Strawberry Lemonade Cake Mix Cookies
- Best Fruit Pizza Cookies
- Blueberry Sugar Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Peach Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Caramel Apple Cake Mix Cookies
- Lemon Cake Mix Cool Whip Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Scookies
- Banana Molasses Cookies
- Easy Apricot Cookies
- Orange Cardamom Cookies
- Blueberry Cream Cookies
4th of July Berry Star Cookies are an incredibly beautiful dessert that is not only delicious but visually appealing too! These blueberry cookies make a wonderful treat at your next patriotic holiday celebration.
Leave a Reply