My best cookies of summertime feature fruity, fun, and flavorful treats that are perfect for summer parties, potlucks, and holidays. From zesty lemon and tangy raspberry to gooey s’mores and childhood favorites, these cookies are packed with the flavors of the season. Whether you're baking for a picnic, BBQ, or just because, they're guaranteed to be a summertime favorite.
Keep the house cool and leave the oven off entirely with my no-bake cookie recipes.
Jump to:
- 1. S’mores Whoopie Pies
- 2. Lemon Cream Cheese Crinkle Cookies
- 3. Jello Cookies
- 4. Cookies & Cream Cookies
- 5. Brookies
- 6. Key Lime Macarons
- 7. Sprinkle Cookies
- 8. Lemon Almond Cookies
- 9. Red Hot Cookies
- 10. Sour Cream Cookies
- 11. Butter Crunch Cookies
- 12. Pistachio Pudding Cookies
- 13. Lucky Charms Cookies
- 14. Macadamia Nut Cookies
- 15. Crumbl Churro Cookies
- How To Transport Cookies in the Summer
- 16. Strawberry Macarons
- 17. Cornstarch Cookies
- 18. Cherry Blossom Cookies
- 19. 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- 20. Apple Oatmeal Cookies
- 21. Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 22. Sprinkle Cookies
- 23. Sugar Cookie Bars
- 24. Amish Sugar Cookies
- 25. Gum Drop Cookies
- 💭 Top Tips for Baking Perfect Summer Cookies
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 25+ Best Cookies of Summertime: Sour Cream Cookies + More Seasonal Sweets!
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
I've tested each of thes summer cookie recipes to be perfect for warm-weather baking during the dog days of summer. From cozy apple oatmeal cookies to vibrant key lime macarons, these cookies capture the essence of summertime in every bite.
Whether you're baking for a potluck, picnic, or weekend treat, these cookies are made for sharing, no cookie cutters required.
1. S’mores Whoopie Pies
These soft graham cracker whoopie pies are filled with marshmallow buttercream, chocolate ganache, and graham cracker frosting. I love bringing these to bonfires or BBQs because they’re ready to eat and less messy than campfire s'mores.
If you like s'mores-flavored treats, my s'mores macarons take a little more effort but the results are more than worth it!
2. Lemon Cream Cheese Crinkle Cookies
Lemon crinkle cookies are bursting with lemon juice, zest, and tangy cream cheese rolled in powdered sugar for that perfect crinkled finish. For my fellow lemon lovers, they're one of my favorite easy summer cookies to make when I want something fresh and tangy.
3. Jello Cookies
These colorful jello cookies are fruity, soft, and fun to make with kids using powdered Jello and snickerdoodle cookie mix. I like to use different flavors for a vibrant summer cookie tray.
4. Cookies & Cream Cookies
These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with chopped Oreos, white chocolate chips, and a hint of cream cheese for the perfect cookies and cream flavor. They taste like two treats in one and have the most delectable chewy centers.
5. Brookies
Brookies combine fudgy brownie batter and chewy chocolate chip cookie dough into one irresistible summer dessert. I always bake a batch when I can't choose between the two.
6. Key Lime Macarons
These key lime macarons are filled with tangy cream cheese frosting and finished with a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs for that classic pie-inspired flavor. I make them every summer when I want something light, refreshing, and just a little bit fancy.
7. Sprinkle Cookies
These soft, buttery cookies are loaded with colorful sprinkles that make them perfect for kids' parties or July celebrations. They are completely customizeable and can be made with any sprinkles you like.
8. Lemon Almond Cookies
These soft and tender cookies blend bright lemon flavor with a subtle hint of almond for a refreshing citrus treat. Topped with a tangy lemon glaze and naturally gluten-free, they’re easy to make without even needing a mixer.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
9. Red Hot Cookies
These cinnamon candy cookies have a bold, spicy-sweet flavor and chewy texture that stands out on any summer cookie platter. They're perfect for the spicy candy lovers in your life.
10. Sour Cream Cookies
Sour cream gives these cake-like cookies just the right amount of tenderness. They’re topped with smooth buttercream frosting and easy to decorate for any summer celebrations.
11. Butter Crunch Cookies
Crisp edges, buttery flavor, and bits of toffee give these cookies extra crunch in every bite. They pair beautifully with my no-churn ice vanilla cream or fresh fruit for an easy summer dessert.
12. Pistachio Pudding Cookies
These soft and chewy cookies are packed with pistachios, white chocolate chips, and the flavor of instant pistachio pudding mix. The pudding not only adds a fun green color but also keeps the cookies tender and full of flavor, plus, they're freezer-friendly.
13. Lucky Charms Cookies
Packed with colorful Lucky Charms cereal mini marshmallows, these soft vanilla cookies are playful, nostalgic, and full of fun. They’re especially popular with kids but get just as many smiles from adults.
14. Macadamia Nut Cookies
Macadamia nut cookies are rich and buttery with a delicate crunch that makes them the perfect treat for a hot summer day. The balance of salty and sweet is hard to resist.
15. Crumbl Churro Cookies
These soft cinnamon sugar cookies are topped with a rich cinnamon buttercream that makes every bite taste like a churro. They’re my go-to copycat recipe when I want a bakery-style treat that’s even better homemade.
How To Transport Cookies in the Summer
Transporting cookies without breaking them can be tricky, but placing cooled cookies in layers separated by parchment paper inside a cupcake carrier with removable inserts works really well. For bigger treats like cookie bars or sheet cookies, baking and carrying them in a covered 9×13-inch pan is a simple and reliable method to keep them protected.
16. Strawberry Macarons
These delicate vanilla macaron shells are filled with strawberry cream cheese frosting and a touch of strawberry jam for the perfect fruity bite. They’re a perfectly sweet summer treat that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
17. Cornstarch Cookies
Cornstarch gives these cookies their soft, delicate texture and subtle sweetness. They're perfect when you want a light summer cookie that practically melts in your mouth.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
18. Cherry Blossom Cookies
These pretty pink cookies are flavored with cherry extract and topped with a chocolate kiss in the center. They’re just the thing for an easy picnic treat or vibrant summer dessert tray.
19. 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
These classic cookies are soft, chewy, and made with just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg. They’re quick, foolproof, and perfect for when you need a simple treat in under 15 minutes.
20. Apple Oatmeal Cookies
These chewy cookies are full of shredded apple and warm spices that give them a cozy, homemade flavor. They’re a nice transitional treat for late summer or early fall baking.
21. Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet-tart raspberries and creamy white chocolate chips make these cookies burst with summer flavor. The soft, bakery-style texture makes them an instant favorite.
22. Sprinkle Cookies
These soft, buttery cookies are loaded with colorful sprinkles that make them perfect for kids' parties or any 4th of July celebration. They are completely customizeable and can be made with any sprinkles you like, including red, white, and blue.
23. Sugar Cookie Bars
These sugar cookie bars are soft, frosted, and cut into squares for serving a lot of guests. I like them for potlucks or cookouts because they’re easy to make ahead and transport.
24. Amish Sugar Cookies
These old-fashioned sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and melt in your mouth with every bite. They're easy to make with pantry staples and taste amazing plain or topped with a bit of frosting.
25. Gum Drop Cookies
These soft sugar cookies are packed with colorful fruit-flavored gumdrop candies that add a fun, chewy pop in every bite. They’re quick to make with no chilling needed and just as perfect for summer as they are for the holidays.
💭 Top Tips for Baking Perfect Summer Cookies
- Keep your ingredients cool. Warmer temperatures can cause butter and dough to soften too quickly, so chilling your dough before baking helps maintain the perfect texture.
- Use light-colored baking sheets. Dark pans cause cookies to brown faster, so opt for light-colored or lined baking sheets for even baking.
- Store cookies properly. Summer humidity can make cookies soggy. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to your stored cookies will help keep them soft and chewy longer!
- Don’t overbake. Watch your cookies carefully. Ovens can run hotter during warmer months, and slightly underbaked cookies will stay soft and chewy.
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📖 Recipe Card
25+ Best Cookies of Summertime: Sour Cream Cookies + More Seasonal Sweets!
Ingredients
Sour Cream Cookies
- ⅓ cup butter (softened, at room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream (at room temperature)
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (spoon and leveled)
Vanilla Buttercream
- ½ cup butter (softened, at room temperature)
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoon heavy whipping cream (plus more if needed)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
Prepare the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4) and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (silpat mat).
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the ⅓ cup butter until smooth, and then add 1 cup sugar. Continue mixing until well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Add 1 large egg, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt and continue to mix until creamy.
- Add ½ cup sour cream and mix until well combined. Then, slowly mix in 1¾ cups all-purpose flour until the flour is only just incorporated.
- Scoop heaping tablespoon-sized portions onto your prepared cookie sheets, leaving space in between them for spreading.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are a slightly golden brown color.
- Remove them from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before placing them onto a wire rack to cool entirely before frosting them.
Make the Frosting
- Use either a hand mixer or your stand mixer to beat ½ cup butter for about 5-6 minutes, or until pale in color and fluffy.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a small amount of the 2 cups confectioners sugar.
- Mix at medium speed while alternating adding the remaining confectioners' sugar and small drizzles of 2-4 tablespoon heavy whipping cream (only using enough heavy cream to reach a firm, but spreadable consistency).
- Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, beat the mixture on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. *You can add more heavy whipping cream to reach your desired consistency, starting with a very small amount.
- Use a spatula to spread the buttercream onto the cooled cookies and serve.
Notes
- To make your cookies more even and uniform in shape, you can wet your fingers with water and pat the dough balls down slightly.
- Use gel food coloring to add some different colors to your buttercream frosting if desired.
- Check out all of my buttercream recipes if you want to try out a flavor other than vanilla!
- Your cookies need to be completely cool before adding any frosting or the buttercream could melt.
- To store: Keep your sour cream cookies stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To freeze: Freeze your cookies without any frosting for up to 3 months. Thaw to room temperature and then frost with fresh buttercream.
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