If you’re looking for a treat that’s guaranteed to brighten your table and bring a burst of joy to any celebration, Fireworks Pudding Cookies are just the ticket! These ultra-soft, bakery-style cookies are loaded with M&Ms and sprinkles, adding a playful pop of color and flavor to every bite. Not only are they festive and fun, but they’re also melt-in-your-mouth irresistible—thanks to one secret ingredient you probably already have on hand!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Soft and Chewy: Thanks to the instant pudding mix, every bite of these cookies is fluffy, moist, and delightfully tender—never dry!
- A Festive Show-Stopper: Fireworks Pudding Cookies are packed with colorful M&Ms and sprinkles, instantly brightening up any dessert spread and putting a smile on everyone’s face.
- No Mixer, No Problem: The dough comes together so easily, you can use a stand mixer or even a good old hand mixer for delicious results.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can chill or even freeze the dough to bake fresh cookies whenever you crave a sweet pick-me-up!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t you love a recipe that calls for basic pantry staples but delivers bakery-level results? Each ingredient in Fireworks Pudding Cookies plays a super important role—whether it’s adding flavor, texture, or that signature pop of color that makes these cookies so special!
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that sets these cookies apart.
- Packed brown sugar: This adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and keeps the cookies chewy.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla really boosts the flavor and ties everything together.
- Egg: The egg helps bind the dough and adds just enough richness to make each bite luscious.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Here’s the game-changer! The pudding mix locks in moisture and gives Fireworks Pudding Cookies their unforgettable softness.
- Baking soda: This helps the cookies rise and spread to the perfect thickness.
- Salt: Just a touch of salt brings out all the other flavors.
- All-purpose flour: Good old flour creates the structure for our cookies—don’t overmix!
- Red and blue sprinkles: These add a burst of color and sweet crunch throughout the cookies, but you can use any color for any occasion.
- 4th of July M&Ms: Festive M&Ms make the cookies look like fireworks, but feel free to swap in any color for birthdays, holidays, or just because!
Variations
The best part about Fireworks Pudding Cookies is how endlessly customizable they are! Whether you’re working around allergies or just love to mix things up, you can put your own spin on these cookies in countless ways—no fancy ingredients required.
- Try different pudding flavors: Swap the vanilla instant pudding for chocolate, cheesecake, or even banana for a totally new twist.
- Use your favorite mix-ins: Instead of M&Ms, try mini chocolate chips, chopped peanut butter cups, or pastel candies for a seasonal spin.
- Make it gluten-free: Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—the results are still beautifully soft and chewy.
- Dial up the celebration: Use themed sprinkles and M&Ms for birthdays, holidays, or team colors—let your creativity take center stage!
How to Make Fireworks Pudding Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating your softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about two minutes with a stand or hand mixer. Don’t rush this step; it’s what gives your Fireworks Pudding Cookies that irresistible, rich texture!
Step 2: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Add in your egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until the batter looks smooth and creamy. This helps the cookies bake up soft but not cakey—think chewy bakery cookie at its very best.
Step 3: Add Pudding Mix, Leavening, and Flour
Now, sprinkle in the instant pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Blend until everything is combined, then add in the flour and mix on low just until you see no streaks—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies extra soft.
Step 4: Stir in Sprinkles and M&Ms
Gently fold in your colorful sprinkles and M&Ms with a spatula. Try to mix just enough so they’re evenly distributed—this is where Fireworks Pudding Cookies get their signature burst of fun!
Step 5: Scoop and Chill the Dough
Use a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon to form 2-tablespoon balls of dough. Line them up on a parchment-covered baking sheet (no need to space them yet), cover, and chill for at least 30 minutes. This makes the cookies bake up thick and chewy!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange the chilled dough balls 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets and bake for 9-11 minutes, just until the edges turn lightly golden. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a rack (or sneak a warm one for yourself!).
Pro Tips for Making Fireworks Pudding Cookies
- Chill for Chunkier Cookies: Don’t skip the chilling step—cold dough keeps Fireworks Pudding Cookies thick, soft, and prevents overspreading in the oven!
- Pudding Mix Magic: Make sure to use instant (not cook-and-serve) pudding mix; it’s the key to that unforgettable texture inside every cookie.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies when the edges are just golden and the centers look slightly underdone—they’ll finish cooking on the pan, keeping them moist and chewy.
- Pretty Cookie Hack: For bakery-style looks, press a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles into the tops before baking for picture-perfect results.
How to Serve Fireworks Pudding Cookies
Garnishes
Just before serving, sprinkle a few extra colorful sprinkles or press extra M&Ms gently on top of each cookie for that Instagram-worthy, festive flair. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a touch of sweetness and makes the colors truly pop!
Side Dishes
While Fireworks Pudding Cookies absolutely shine on their own, they’re also a dream alongside a tall glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or as part of a dessert tray with brownies and fresh fruit for your next party or BBQ.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies in a clear jar with colorful ribbons for a delightful gift, stack them on a tiered cake stand at your festive gathering, or package them in treat bags paired with sparklers for the ultimate fireworks-themed party favor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Fireworks Pudding Cookies at their softest and freshest, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you’re making them ahead for a party, they’ll still taste fabulous and chewy!
Freezing
Want cookies on demand? Freeze the baked cookies or unbaked dough balls in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Thaw cookie dough fully before baking, or enjoy a ready-made treat by thawing baked cookies overnight on the counter.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven experience, reheat leftover Fireworks Pudding Cookies in the microwave for 8-10 seconds. They’ll turn soft and gooey again, just like magic!
FAQs
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Can I use cook-and-serve pudding mix instead of instant?
For best results, stick with instant pudding mix. Cook-and-serve doesn’t blend into the dough the same way, so you’ll miss out on that signature soft texture that makes Fireworks Pudding Cookies so irresistible.
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Do I really need to chill the dough?
Yes! Chilling keeps the cookies thick and prevents them from spreading too much in the oven. This little pause is what makes Fireworks Pudding Cookies delightfully chewy and bakery-style every time.
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What’s the best way to get the M&Ms and sprinkles evenly distributed?
Gently fold the mix-ins in with a spatula, taking care not to overmix (which could crush the M&Ms). If you want extra color on top, save a handful to press into the dough balls just before baking!
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Can I bake these ahead and freeze for a party?
Absolutely! Fireworks Pudding Cookies freeze beautifully. Bake, cool, and freeze in airtight containers. Thaw before serving, and they’ll be just as soft as the day you made them.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to sink your teeth into a batch of these Fireworks Pudding Cookies. Each bite is bursting with buttery softness and colorful surprises, making every occasion feel like a celebration. Whether you share them with friends or sneak a few for yourself, I have a feeling they’ll quickly become your new favorite cookie recipe!
Print
Fireworks Pudding Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Fireworks Pudding Cookies are a festive treat perfect for celebrating holidays like the 4th of July. Soft and chewy with bursts of color and flavor from sprinkles and M&Ms, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any party.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 3.4 ounce box INSTANT Vanilla Pudding Mix (just the mix, don’t make the pudding)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups (155g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup red and blue sprinkles or any colors
- 3/4 cup 4th of July M&Ms or any color of M&M
Instructions
- Cream butter and brown sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined.
- Add flour and mix-ins: Mix in all-purpose flour, then stir in sprinkles and M&Ms.
- Chill dough: Scoop 2 tablespoon balls of dough onto a lined cookie sheet. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chilled dough balls on a lined sheet, bake for 9-11 minutes until edges brown. Cool before serving.
Notes
- Sometimes cookies may stay in a ball shape while baking; lightly press them down if needed.
- Cookie dough or baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 57mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 19mg
