36 Summer Cookie Recipes

Who says you can’t enjoy sweet treats during the warmer months of the year? If you, like me, have a sweet tooth and love eating desserts all year round, you’ll love these 36 summer cookie recipes. These delicious cookies are great for birthdays, picnics, barbecues, or a 4th of July party.

What cookies won’t melt in the heat?

When choosing the best cookies to bake during the summertime, you’ll want to choose cookies that won’t melt in the heat. A simple way to do this is to avoid cookies with chocolate coatings or with ingredients that can’t stand the heat, like caramel, whipped cream, buttercream frosting, and chocolate chips as a topping.

Some cookies that won’t melt in the heat include chewy sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal cookies, and chocolate chip cookies, as long as they are not left out in the direct sunlight. If you know you won’t be able to keep the cookies out of the heat, you can store them in a cooler with dry ice to ensure they won’t melt.

Common Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients

When it comes to baking cookies, having the right dry ingredients can make all the difference in texture, flavor, and the overall success of your bake. Here are some of the most common dry ingredients used in cookie recipes:

All-purpose flour: The foundation of nearly every cookie recipe, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure to hold the cookies together. Its gluten content is balanced enough to create a tender, yet sturdy texture in your cookies.

White Sugar: This common ingredient not only adds sweetness to your cookies but also aids in browning and helps to create a crisp edge. Its fine texture allows it to easily blend with other ingredients.

Brown Sugar: Providing both sweetness and moisture, brown sugar gives cookies a chewy, dense texture due to its molasses content. Its caramel-like flavor is also an added benefit that gives depth to the cookies. If you’re not a fan of brown sugar, you might want to try out coconut sugar!

Baking Powder: A leavening agent that reacts when combined with liquid and heat, the baking powder helps cookies rise and spread during baking. This gives your cookies a light, airy texture.

Baking Soda: Another leavening agent, baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients to create carbon dioxide, which helps cookies to rise. Baking soda also contributes to the beautiful golden brown color of cookies.

Salt: A seemingly simple ingredient, salt actually serves to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients in your cookies. Even a small amount can prevent your cookies from tasting flat or overly sweet.

Cocoa Powder: For chocolate cookies, cocoa powder is a must. It provides a rich, chocolatey flavor while also contributing to the structure and color of the cookies.

Oats: Used in recipes like oatmeal cookies, oats add texture and a nutty flavor to the cookies. They’re also a source of fiber, adding a touch of wholesomeness to your treats.

Spices: Ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are often used in cookie recipes to add depth and warmth to the flavor profile. They work wonderfully in combination with sweet ingredients, providing a beautiful balance.

Remember, while it’s fun to experiment in the kitchen, it’s important to measure these dry ingredients accurately to achieve the best results. Each one plays a unique role in creating your perfect batch of cookies.

Wet Ingredients

Wet ingredients in baking are just as crucial as dry ones, playing key roles in determining the flavor, texture, and overall quality of your cookies. Let’s delve into the importance of these ingredients:

Butter: Often the fat of choice in cookie baking, butter imparts a rich, creamy flavor that’s hard to beat. It also aids in leavening and contributes to a cookie’s tender crumb and golden color.

Eggs: Acting as the glue that binds everything together, eggs add structure and stability to your cookie dough. The yolks provide fat for richness and the whites can add a bit of lift to the cookie’s texture.

Milk: While not a staple in every cookie recipe, milk can be used to add moisture and help with browning. The sugars within milk also lend a subtle sweetness.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances and balances the flavors in your cookies. Its aroma can evoke a feeling of comfort and warmth, reminding us of home baking.

Honey: In certain recipes, honey serves as a sweetener that imparts a unique flavor profile. It can also provide a soft and chewy texture to your cookies.

Vegetable oil: In some cookie recipes, vegetable oil is used instead of butter. It gives the cookies a distinctive, tender texture and ensures that they stay moist. Coconut oil is also becoming a common wet ingredient in cookies.

Sour cream: Though not common in all cookie recipes, sour cream can bring a subtle tanginess and soft texture to your cookies. It also helps in activating baking soda.

Molasses: A key ingredient in gingerbread cookies and others, molasses is a thick syrup that adds sweetness along with a distinct, rich flavor. It also imparts a chewy texture and a dark color to the cookies.

Cream Cheese: Used in several cookie recipes, cream cheese adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture. It can make your cookies tender and rich, especially in cheesecake cookies or ones with a cream cheese filling.

Just like dry ingredients, the correct measurement of these wet ingredients is critical for achieving the desired result. Each plays a unique role in creating the perfect, delectable cookies you crave.

Best Summer Cookie Recipes

If you’re planning a party this summer, you’ll want to serve any of these 36 summer cookie recipes. These summer cookies are not only refreshing but also very easy to make!

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

You can’t have a list of summer cookie recipes without including strawberry cookies. The cream cheese filling in these strawberry cheesecake cookies makes for the most refreshing dessert for a warm summer day.

Margarita Cookies with Tequila Lime Glaze

If you’re planning a barbecue or get-together with your loved ones this summer, you’ll want to make these jaw-dropping margarita cookies. The tangy zing of my Margarita Cookies with Tequila-Lime Glaze is a sensational surprise that brings the essence of a classic cocktail to your dessert tray. The intoxicating citrus notes paired with the subtle hint of tequila in the glaze make these cookies a unique, grown-up indulgence, perfect for any summer celebration.

Strawberry Lemonade Cookies

The refreshing zing of my Strawberry Lemonade Cookies brings together sweet strawberries and tangy lemonade in a delightful dance of tastes. Their sunny, fruity tang and mouthwatering sweetness make them a charming treat that reminds you of sipping on a cool strawberry lemonade on a hot summer day. The best part of these cookies? You make them using a cake mix!

No Bake Chocolate Cookies

No Bake Chocolate Cookies are the perfect fuss-free treat, combining the richness of cocoa with the wholesome texture of oats. The delightful crunch of these cookies, contrasted with the velvety smoothness of melted chocolate, provides an indulgent dessert that doesn’t even require turning on the oven. These simple chocolate no-bake cookies are perfect for any time of the year.

Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Cherry Shortbread Cookies bring together the buttery, crumbly goodness of classic shortbread with the sweet tanginess of cherries. Each bite of these delightfully light cookies delivers a burst of cherry flavor, balanced perfectly with the subtle warmth of a dusting of powdered sugar. These cherry and almond shortbread cookies are the perfect dessert after a long day of work.

Pineapple Coconut No-Bake Cookies

Tropical and tantalizing, these Pineapple Coconut No-Bake Cookies transport your taste buds to an island paradise with every bite. The sweet, juicy flavor of pineapple pairs harmoniously with the chewy texture of shredded coconut, creating a delightful treat that’s as refreshing as it is easy to prepare. These no-bake pineapple and coconut cookies taste just like a glass of Piña Colada!

Meringue Cookies

Experience the heavenly taste of these light and airy Easy Meringue Cookies, featuring a flawless combination of a crispy outer layer and a soft, delicate interior that dissolves in your mouth. 

Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

There’s no better way to cool off on a warm day than with these brownie cookie ice cream sandwiches! Melding the rich, chocolatey decadence of brownies with the cool, creamy delight of ice cream, these Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches are a quintessential treat for a hot summer day. The chewy brownie layers hug your favorite ice cream flavor, resulting in a symphony of textures and tastes that is sure to please any sweet tooth.

Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies

Brimming with a bright, citrusy flavor, these Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies are a lovely sweet-tart treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The tender, buttery cookie base cradles a dollop of zesty lemon curd, delivering a delightful contrast of textures that will make your taste buds sing. To make the curd for these delicious lemon thumbprint cookies you’ll only need eggs, sugar, butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

4th of July Pinwheel Cookies

If you’re looking for an eye-catching dessert for a 4th of July party, these red, white, and blue pinwheel cookies are the best option. Spinning out a festive feast with my 4th of July Pinwheel Cookies is a delightful tradition. Their radiant swirls of red, white, and blue dough unfurl in the oven to create a mesmerizing pattern, tasting as delightful as they look, and serving as a perfect patriotic treat.

Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Don’t be afraid to play with food colorings to make these white, and blue chocolate chip cookies. Every bite of these Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies is like a festive fireworks, embodying the spirit of celebration. Bursting with tasty chocolate chips and adorned with colorful sprinkles, they bring a playful touch and sweet comfort to any Independence Day table.

Sand Dollar Cookies

These Snickerdoodle sand dollars are the perfect cookie for a pool party and baking them always brings a touch of the beach into my kitchen, their delightful shape and sugar-dusted tops mimicking the unique patterns of a real sand dollar. Their tender, buttery texture and subtly sweet taste make them a memorable treat, transporting you to peaceful, sandy shores with every bite.

Watermelon Slice Cookies

If you want to wow your friends and family, give these delicious watermelon slice butter cookies a try. The vibrant, playful Watermelon Slice Cookies are always a hit at my summer gatherings, mirroring the freshness of a real slice of watermelon with their stunningly designed cookie dough. Their delightful sweetness and touch of citrus zest will transport you to a sunny picnic, taking a bite of juicy watermelon on a warm afternoon.

Peanut Butter Balls

My Peanut Butter Balls are a dream for any peanut butter lover, delivering a mouthful of creamy, nutty goodness in every bite. Dipped in rich chocolate, they’re the perfect balance of sweet and salty, and effortlessly satisfying. These sweet and salty peanut butter bites are so simple to make, they’re the perfect simple snack for a movie night.

Birthday Cake Cookies

Birthday Cake Cookies are a festive delight, capturing all the joy of a birthday cake in a handheld treat. Loaded with colorful rainbow sprinkles that add a playful crunch, these cookies deliver a burst of vanilla sweetness that’s perfect for celebrating any special day. These birthday cookies topped with funfetti sprinkles are the perfect treat for a children’s birthday party.

Coconut Key Lime Cookies

With their zesty, tropical notes, Coconut Key Lime Cookies are a refreshing and tangy treat that captures the essence of summer in every bite. The soft, chewy cookies, bursting with the unique combination of tart key lime and sweet coconut, provide a delightful sensory experience that’s reminiscent of a beachside getaway. The sweet and tangy flavors of these coconut and key lime cookies make for a refreshing summertime dessert.

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

Be prepared to go back to your childhood because these orange cookies topped with cream cheese taste just like an orange creamsicle!

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies

My Oatmeal Cookies are a comforting classic, with the wholesome goodness of oats baked into a chewy, sweet cookie. They’re perfect for any time of day, packed with texture and satisfyingly hearty. These gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies are delicious and can be made with less than 10 ingredients, including pantry staples such as vanilla extract, eggs, baking soda, and sugar.

4-Ingredient Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Delight in these 4-Ingredient Cinnamon Sugar Cookies, offering a sweet and spicy flavor profile that leaves your taste buds craving for more. Their crispy exterior, soft interior, and warm aroma of cinnamon make them a must-try for any cookie enthusiast.

Peach Cobbler Cookies

Peach Cobbler Cookies encapsulate the essence of a beloved Southern dessert into a delightful handheld treat. The warm, spiced peach filling nestled within a flaky, biscuit-like cookie makes every bite a comforting delight. Trust me, you won’t be able to leave these crispy peach cobbler cookie cups alone once they come out of the oven!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

 I love the classic comfort of my Chocolate Chip Cookies, with their soft, chewy texture studded with melting white chocolate chips. Every bite is a taste of home, filled with buttery goodness and rich chocolate. These delicious chocolate chip cookies are so simple to make and perfect for any occasion!

Coconut Macaroons

I’m a huge fan of the texture of coconut macaroons. And there’s no easiest dessert than these chewy coconut macaroons, they’re made in one bowl and require only five ingredients! When I’m craving something sweet and tropical, Coconut Macaroons are the perfect treat. The golden, toasted exterior gives way to a moist and chewy interior, offering a delightful texture contrast in every bite.

White Chocolate And Macadamia Nut Cookies

White Chocolate and Macadamia Nut Cookies are a luxurious blend of sweet and nutty flavors, boasting a delightful texture that’s both chewy and crunchy. The creamy sweetness of white chocolate chips melds perfectly with the rich, buttery crunch of macadamia nuts, culminating in a truly indulgent cookie experience. The cookie dough for these white chocolate chip cookies can be made in under 5 minutes with only two bowls, a hand mixer, and a baking sheet.

Flip Flop Cookies

Flip Flop Cookies are a whimsical nod to summertime, designed and decorated to resemble everyone’s favorite beach footwear. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, perfect for any poolside party or beach-themed event. These cute flip-flop cookies are the perfect snack for a summer pool or birthday party!

Neapolitan Cookies

Neapolitan Cookies bring the classic ice cream trio – chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry – to life in cookie form. Their colorful layers make them as visually appealing as they are delicious, with each flavor complementing the next. These colorful Neapolitan cookies are perfect for a birthday party or picnic.

Summer-Themed Sugar Cookies

Summer-Themed Sugar Cookies are an ode to the sunny season, with playful shapes and vibrant icing reflecting everything I love about summer. They’re as enjoyable to decorate as they are to eat, making them a perfect family activity. If you have kids, making these pool party cookies is a sure way to bond and spend more time together!

Espresso Cookies

I love waking up my taste buds with my Espresso Cookies, offering a bold coffee flavor contrasted with sweet chocolate chunks. They’re a coffee lover’s dream, perfect alongside a morning cappuccino or an after-dinner espresso. These chewy espresso cookies have a rich flavor and chocolate chunks that will melt in your mouth!

S’mores Cookies

S’mores Cookies bring the best of a campfire classic into the kitchen. The trio of a graham cracker cookie base, a gooey marshmallow topping, and a hint of melted chocolate will transport you straight to a cozy evening around the fire. These s’mores cookie cups have all the elements of traditional s’mores, including a graham cracker base, toasted marshmallows, and melted chocolate, but in a mess-free presentation!

Raspberry Cookie Bars

Each bite of these Raspberry Cookie Bars reveals layers of buttery shortbread, sweet-tart raspberry filling, and a crumbly streusel topping. They’re an indulgent treat that balances sweet and tart perfectly. These delicious, melt-in-your-mouth raspberry streusel bars are so good, you’ll want to eat them all day long! 

Mojito Cookies

Mojito Cookies bring the iconic cocktail to your cookie jar, combining rum, mint, lime, and sugar in a wonderfully refreshing treat. They’re the perfect dessert for any summer gathering, capturing the essence of a cool mojito on a hot summer day. These chewy mojito cookies combine rum, mint, lime juice, and sugar for a refreshing summer treat!

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

My Chocolate Sugar Cookies offer a rich cocoa flavor nestled within a perfectly crisp yet tender cookie. They’re a chocolate lover’s dream, combining the familiar comfort of a sugar cookie with the indulgence of chocolate. These chewy chocolate sugar cookies are crunchy on the outside but soft and tender on the inside. Looking to add additional chocolate? Try adding white chocolate chips!

Berry-Cream Cookie Snaps

Berry-Cream Cookie Snaps are a delightful combination of crisp cookies and a creamy, berry-filled center. They offer a beautiful contrast of textures and flavors, making for a perfect summer treat. These berries and cream cookie snaps are the perfect summer cookies, they’re crispy on the outside with a smooth and tasty filling inside. Make with raspberries or frozen blueberries!

Fruit Pizza Cookies

Fruit Pizza Cookies turn classic cookies into a colorful, fresh fruit-filled extravaganza. They’re not only a deliciously fun treat but also a fantastic way to celebrate the best of summer’s bounty. These individual fruit pizza cookies are a healthy and refreshing treat for a warm, sunny day.

Star-Shaped Cookies

Star-Shaped Cookies are a patriotic delight, perfect for a 4th of July celebration. Adorned with red, white, and blue icing, they’re a festive treat that’s as enjoyable to decorate as they are to eat. These star cookies with royal icing and sprinkles are perfect for a 4th of July celebration!

Peanut Butter Cookies

I love the simple, nutty goodness of Peanut Butter Cookies, each one carrying a robust peanut butter flavor within a soft, chewy cookie. Their crisscross pattern and rich, comforting taste make them a timeless classic. These 5-ingredient peanut butter cookies have no flour or butter, so they’re the perfect gluten-free and dairy-free treat for summer.

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Whoopie Pies

The soft, cake-like cookies and creamy filling of Whoopie Pies make them a crowd-pleaser every time. Each one is like a mini sandwich cake, making for a bite-sized, portable dessert that is as fun to eat as it is delicious.

Lemon Mascarpone Cookies

Lemon Mascarpone Cookies bring together the tangy brightness of lemon with the creamy richness of mascarpone. They’re the perfect afternoon delight, offering a subtle sweetness that’s irresistibly refreshing. These simple lemon and mascarpone cookies are best served with a simple powdered sugar glaze on top.

Summer Cookie FAQs

What is the secret to a good cookie?

The secret to a good cookie often lies in the quality of your ingredients and following the recipe accurately. High-quality, fresh ingredients can make a significant difference in taste. Equally important is using the correct ratios of those ingredients – like butter and sugar, which can drastically affect texture and flavor. Don’t forget the importance of precise oven temperatures and baking times to achieve your desired result, whether it’s a crispy, crunchy cookie or a soft, chewy one.

What is the secret to chewy cookies?

Chewy cookies usually result from a higher moisture content. This can be achieved by using ingredients that retain moisture like brown sugar or honey. Another important factor is not to overbake the cookies; they should be removed from the oven when the edges are set but the center is still soft. As they cool on the cookie sheet, they continue to bake, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

What are the 6 basic cookies?

The six basic types of cookies are:

1. Drop cookies: These are made by dropping spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet, like chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal raisin cookies.
2. Rolled cookies: This type requires rolling out the dough and using a cookie cutter to create shapes, such as sugar cookies.
3. Refrigerator cookies (or slice-and-bake cookies): The dough is usually shaped into a log, chilled, and then sliced and baked.
4. Molded cookies: The dough is shaped by hand into specific designs before baking.
5. Pressed cookies: These are created by pressing dough through a cookie press to form fancy shapes and patterns.
6. Bar cookies: They’re made by spreading the dough in a pan, baking, and then cutting it into bar shapes.

Which ingredient makes cookies moist and tender?

The fat in the cookie dough, usually in the form of butter or oil, plays a crucial role in making cookies moist and tender. It can coat the flour proteins and reduce the formation of gluten, which keeps the cookies tender. Brown sugar also aids in moisture retention due to its molasses content. Additionally, ingredients like eggs provide moisture and act as a binder, and a higher proportion of eggs can make your cookies softer and moister.

More Summer Recipes

37 Summer Casseroles

16 Summer Beef Recipes

32 Summer Chicken Recipes

Have questions or suggestions about these summer cookie recipes? Leave them in the comments below.

Have questions or suggestions about these summer cookie recipes? Leave them in the comments below.