Easy Fourth Of July Cookies (With M&Ms)

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When celebrating patriotic occasions, nothing adds a touch of colorful delight like Red, White, and Blue M&M Cookie Bars. These scrumptious treats burst with vibrant hues and offer a mouthwatering blend of chewy cookie dough and delectable M&M candies. Whether you're preparing for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or any other patriotic event, these will surely be a hit among kids and adults.

• Easy to make in one bowl with basic ingredients
• Ready to bake Immediately or chill for later.
• Festive treats that taste amazing for patriotic occasions or any other time of year.
• Perfect for packing up and taking to potlucks, a block party, picnics or gift-giving.
• Easily changeable, you can make these with any holiday M&M’s, regular M&M’s or mini M&M’s. You can also use white chocolate chips, peanut butter or butterscotch chips.
• Are a fun way to add some patriotic colors this easy cookie recipe

This cookie dough is easy to make with everyday baking staples: all-purpose flour, baking soda, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and our favorite spice, vanilla.

Add these ingredients to make these bar cookies extra special:

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips add flavor and give cookies a delicious textural twist.
• M&M: Not only do the red, white and blue M&Ms make these cookies look cute, but they also add delicious pockets of melted chocolate throughout each bite!
• Sprinkles: Patriotic-colored sprinkles make these cookies extra festive.

See the recipe card below for complete instructions.

Step 1. Line a 13" x 9" baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2. Add the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Cream the sugar and butter with an electric hand mixer on medium-high speed.

Step 3. Add the eggs, salt and vanilla, and mix on medium speed until incorporated. Feel free to use your stand mixer for this recipe.

Step 4. In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients, then gradually add the flour mixture to the batter, mixing until it becomes a thick cookie-dough consistency. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and ensure it all mixes in.

Step 5. Fold in the M&M’s, semisweet chocolate chips and sprinkles with a wooden spoon or spatula until evenly distributed.

Step 6. Press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan in an even layer. Add additional M&M’s or sprinkles on top if desired. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Step 7. When done, set the bars on a cooling rack; when completely cooled, cut them into squares, and ENJOY!

See all of those colors? That's why we like to call these fireworks cookies.

• Make sure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch.
• Your brown sugar should be soft and fresh. The moisture in the brown sugar helps make these cookies chewy.
• Save some of the M&M’s and sprinkles and press on the top of the dough right before baking; it gives the cookies more color.

The edges of the cookie will be set, and they’ll be golden. The center will not be completely set, but a toothpick will come out clean in inserted. A few streaks are ok; you don’t want chunks of cookie dough pulled out.

As soon as they’re cool, transfer the cut cookies to an airtight container and store them at room temperature.

A bar cookie is made by pouring or pressing batter into a baking pan or baking and cutting it into squares. Brownies and lemon bars are also considered bar cookies.

​Store these cookies in an airtight container for up to four days.

You can also freeze the baked cookies. Once cooled and cut into squares, store the cookie bars in an airtight freezer container for up to three months.

Nothing is better than having cookie dough in the fridge or freezer so you can get a head start on party prep or to have cookie dough ready to bake when needed.

1. Make the cookie dough and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days, then transfer it to the baking pan and bake.
2. Freeze the unbaked cookie dough by wrapping the dough in plastic wrap and then in an airtight freezer container or bag for up to three months. Allow to come to room temperature, then pat in the pan and bake as instructed.

Red, White and Blue desserts are always a favorite, and we have compiled 15 of our favorite desserts.

• Make these Red, White and Blue Layered Jello Cups and hide a cherry in the middle for fun.
• No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream with M&M's in the pretties patriotic colors make the best Independence Day dessert.
• These 4th of July Cookie Bars are easy to make and a kid favorite with colorful sprinkles and M&M's.
• Here you can find 13 more Red, White and Blue Desserts that are fun and festive.

Browned Butter Blondies

Pecan Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

Triple Ginger Cookies

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From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.