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Celebrate July 1st in the sweetest way with these fun and festive Canada Day cookies. Featuring a simple sugar cookie base and a creamy dip for dunking, these treats are perfect for sharing at barbecues, parties or school events. The red and white sprinkles add patriotic flair, while the soft, buttery cookies offer the perfect texture. Paired with a cream cheese dip, they’re fun to make, easy to serve and guaranteed to put smiles on everyone’s faces this Canada Day. They’re one of the most delicious Canada Day dessert ideas.
These Canada Day cookies are soft, buttery sugar cookies with red and white sprinkles, served with a sweet vanilla cream cheese dip for a festive treat.
You might also like to try Canadian butter tarts, a Halifax Donair or for the cookie and dip lovers, Disney cookies with a cream cheese dip.
Why You’ll Love It
Festive and fun: Red and white sprinkles make these cookies perfect for Canada Day.
Easy to make: Simple ingredients and steps make this recipe beginner friendly.
Great for parties: The cookie and dip combo is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Make ahead friendly: Bake the cookies ahead and store them until serving.
Canada Day Cookie Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and keeps the cookies soft.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps it cream with the butter.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together for a smooth, cohesive dough.
All purpose flour: Provides structure and light texture.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies puff slightly without becoming cakey.
Sprinkles: Red and white sprinkles bring Canada Day flair. (These are perfect!)
Cream cheese: Creates a smooth, tangy base for the dip.
Icing sugar: Sweetens the dip and adds a smooth finish.
Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor in the dip.
Milk: Adjusts the consistency of the cream cheese dip.
How to Make Canada Day Cookies
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Combine dry ingredients: Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
Cream butter and sugar: Beat until light and fluffy, then mix in the egg.
Form the dough: Add the dry ingredients gradually and mix well.
Chill the dough: Refrigerate until firm enough to roll.
Cut and bake: Roll dough, cut with maple leaf cutters and bake until golden.
Cool the cookies: Let cool slightly on the sheet, then transfer to a rack.
Make the dip: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add icing sugar, vanilla and milk.
Substitutions and Variations
Use gluten free flour: Swap in a 1:1 gluten free blend if needed.
Switch the sprinkles: Use maple leaf-shaped sprinkles or glitter sugar for a fun twist.
Add flavor: Mix a touch of almond extract into the cookie dough for a different flavor profile.
Try lemon zest: Add to the dip for a fresh citrus note.
Serving Suggestions
With other tasty treats: Enjoy beaver tails, nanaimo bars or any of these Canada Day themed treats!
With a drink: Canadian Caesar cocktails would be perfect, or you might prefer to sip a sparkling strawberry lemonade.
How to Store Canada Day Cookies
Store: Keep the cookies in an airtight container on the counter and eat within 3 days. The dip should be refrigerated and will also keep a few days.
Freeze: You could freeze the cookie dough. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month before thawing and baking.
Top Tips
Chill the dough: This keeps the cookie shapes clean and prevents spreading.
Use parchment paper: Makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking.
Don’t overbake: Remove cookies once the edges start to turn golden.
Beat the dip well: A smooth, fluffy dip is key for the perfect cookie pairing.
Canada Day Sugar Cookies FAQs
Yes, store it in the refrigerator for a day or so and give it a quick stir before serving.
You can, but it will be less tangy and more airy in texture.
Canada Day Cookies with Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
Canada Day Cookies
Equipment
- Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter Maple Leaf or Preferred Shape
- ^^^ NOT GINGERBREAD MAN
Ingredients
- ½ Cup butter, at room temperature
- ⅔ Cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 ¾ Cup all purpose flour
- 1 Teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ Cup sprinkles, red and white
For the Dip
- 4 Ounces cream cheese
- 1 ½ Cups icing sugar
- ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon Milk
Instructions
Make the Cookies
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together flour and baking powder and set aside.
- With an electric mixer beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix well.
- Gradually add dry mixture to cream mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour
- Grease or place parchment paper on two baking sheets. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- On a lightly floured surface roll out dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut out shapes with maple leaf cookie cutters. Place cookies on baking sheets.
Bake and Cool the Cookies
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden.
- Cool cookies 5 to 10 minutes and then move to cooling rack to cool completely.
Make the Dip
- While waiting for cookies to cool, make icing dip. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add icing sugar and beat again. Add vanilla and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Notes
Use parchment paper: Makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking.
Don’t overbake: Remove cookies once the edges start to turn golden.
Beat the dip well: A smooth, fluffy dip is key for the perfect cookie pairing.
Nutrition
For all my Canadian friends, Happy Canada Day! These Canada Day cookies are the ultimate party treat. With a soft, buttery sugar cookie and a sweet vanilla cream cheese dip, they’re perfect for festive gatherings or laid-back celebrations. The red and white sprinkles give them patriotic charm, while the maple leaf shapes make them extra fun for kids and adults alike. Make them ahead, serve them chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy every bite of this sweet and simple way to celebrate Canada Day.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Saving these! my kids will love them