Homemade 4th of July cookies stand out amongst the dessert crowd! Decorated in red, white, and blue M&Ms, these soft and chewy cookies are a delicious addition to your festive dessert table!
Table of Contents
- Patriotic Cookies
- Why We Love This Recipe
- Ingredients to Make 4th of July Cookies
- How to Make Easy Red, White, and Blue Cookies
- Tips & Variations for Making Fourth of July Cookies
- Recipe FAQs
- Can I Use this Cookie Recipe for Other Occasions?
- 5-star review
- Storing & Freezing
- More Delicious M&M Desserts
- 4th of July Cookies Printable Recipe
Patriotic Cookies
These red white and blue cookies are soft, chewy, and made similar to my M&M cookies but with the simple swap of patriotic M&Ms. In every bite, you’ll get the perfect ratio of cookie to candy chocolate along with a nice chewy center and a crispy edge. They’re truly irresistible!
Baking cookies is an easy treat to whip up in minutes and a fun way to get your kids in the kitchen. This recipe requires the use of just one bowl and spoon, so it’s simple enough for even the youngest bakers. There is nothing better than the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked homemade cookies, but when you’re making Fourth of July cookies, well, that just makes life a little extra sweet!
Have a few extra M&Ms? Make use of them in these red white and blue rice krispies or M&M brownies and you’ll have one more 4th of July dessert to add to your celebration. They make the perfect addition to a s’mores charcuterie board!
Why We Love This Recipe
There are SO many reasons to love this 4th of July cookie recipe! They are a quick and easy recipe that comes together and is baked in minutes. Fourth of July cookies are fun and festive with all the flavor!
- They’re easy enough for even the newest bakers!
- These festive cookies are always a hit and make a statement.
- Customizable to any occasion based on the colors of your M&Ms.
- These cookies are freezer-friendly for months.
- Make a double batch to keep for later or share with a friend.
- Kids love them for not only desserts but a quick snack too!
Ingredients to Make 4th of July Cookies
These 4th of July M&M cookies are just what you need to celebrate the big day! They are full of flavor as well as color. You can’t go wrong serving these at your patriotic party this summer!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Butter: Unsalted butter works best since we are adding salt to the dry ingredients. The butter needs to be at room temperature to help make the cookies soft and creamy.
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar packed into the measuring cup helps give the 4th of July cookies a chewy texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds that extra sweetness!
- Eggs: Helps bind the cookie dough together.
- Vanilla: Just a splash for an extra flavor.
- All-purpose flour: This is going to give the cookies their texture and thickness.
- Baking soda: Raises the cookies as they are being baked in the oven.
- Sea salt: A thicker salt that gives an extra texture as well as a sweet and savory taste.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Perfect touch of chocolate.
- 4th of July M&Ms: A color full of patriotic M&Ms.
How to Make Easy Red, White, and Blue Cookies
Take your July celebration to the next level with these 4th of July cookies! They are filled with chocolate, M&M’s, and all the sugary flavor. Every bite has a delicious and chewy flavor with all three colors showing through.
- Combine. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Mix until creamy and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix just until combined.
- Dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix just until combined. Do not over-mix.
- Mix and store. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. Refrigerate dough if time allows.
- Drop cookies. Using a large cookie scoop that is about 3 Tablespoons. Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet. Place extra chocolate chips or M&M’s on the top of the cookies if desired.
- Bake time. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the edges are barely golden brown. Allow cookies to set on the pan and then remove to a cooling wire rack to cool.
Tips & Variations for Making Fourth of July Cookies
All you need is a few utensils and some quick tips for this easy cookie recipe! These helpful tips will make these cookies even easier. This independence day share your patriotic side by making these red, white, and blue M&M cookies!
- Refrigerate the dough. Place the dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 15 minutes if you can. Place plastic wrap over the top of the mixing bowl before rolling them into cookie dough balls. It is not absolutely necessary but it will keep the cookies from spreading a bit.
- Do not overmix. You want to just gently fold the dough before you add in the M&Ms and chocolate chips that way you keep the consistency soft and chewy.
- Nonstick mat. Use a Silpat baking mat for nonstick, easy cleanup.
- Cookie scoop. A large cookie scoop is ideal for getting each cookie the same size. Uniform sizes not only present nicely, but it makes for even baking.
- Extra M&Ms. Just before baking, place some extra M&Ms or chocolate chips (or both) into the top of the cookie for a pop of added color and cuteness. If you forget, you can actually do this as soon as they come out of the oven as well.
Recipe FAQs
The most popular cookie in the United States is the chocolate chip cookie. It is said that 53% of Americans named it their favorite cookie.
December is the month for National Cookie Day. On the fourth of December, it is known to be the official day that bakers bake cookies and share them with customers around the world.
I use barely room temperature butter which gives me flexibility on how long I chill my dough. If you are using melted butter, you will definitely NEED to chill your dough for a minimum of 1 hour. Otherwise, your cookies will likely come out flatter and crispier but if that’s your thing, go for it.
Placing your cookie dough in the fridge allows the cookies to combine and stick together. This is allowing the fats in the dough to chill essentially. If you do not allow the chilling time, the dough will expand quickly in the oven and lose its shape and texture. They will be flat rather than chewy.
These Fourth of July cookies are already decorated with red, white, and blue M&Ms. They are considered chocolate chip cookie or drop cookie that does not need to use a rolling pin. If you are looking for a cookie recipe to decorate for the fourth use this sugar cookie recipe.
Can I Use this Cookie Recipe for Other Occasions?
Yes, please do! This versatile recipe is perfect for any occasion! Christmas M&M cookies are an example of using red and green. Think pink and red for Valentine’s M&M cookies or rainbow for a birthday party! Only green for St Patrick’s Day or orange for Halloween. See, there really is no limit!
For a fun and festive DIY cookie-making activity, set out all the M&Ms and have the kids add their own!
5-star review
“These are so festive and everyone loves them! The perfect chewy texture too!”
-Katie
Storing & Freezing
Double your batch of cookies and store them in an airtight container or in the freezer. The flavors are similar to sugar cookies with an extra boost of chocolate. These Fourth of July cookies are the perfect combination of deliciousness!
- To store: Any leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can keep them covered on the counter the day you make them, just make sure to transfer them into the fridge before you go to bed at night.
- To freeze: Once completely cooled, place in a freezer-friendly bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
More Delicious M&M Desserts
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4th of July Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips , more if desired
- 1 cup 4th of July M&Ms , more for tops if desired
Optional: Sprinkles (stars would be fun)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Mix for 1 minute, or until creamy and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix just until combined. Next add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and M&M’s. Refrigerate dough for 15 to 60 minutes if time allows.
- Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 Tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Place extra chocolate chips or M&M’s on the top of the cookies if desired.
- Place pan in oven and bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the edges are barely golden brown. Allow cookies to set on pan for 2-3 minutes, and then remove to a cooling rack to cool.
- Once the cookies are cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cookies, Freezer-Friendly, Holiday Cookies
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
These were perfect. Savings for my go to cookie!!
I am making 2 batches- 1 without chocolate chips. Should I add more m&m’s if I am not adding chocolate chips?
These cookies turned out great and definitely are fitting for the 4th of July.
These are so cute and festive! They taste even better.
They are so fun! Have a Happy 4th of July!
Loved these 4th of July cookies, we tried them last year! They’re so festive and yummy, can’t wait to make them again this coming 4th of July!
These are great! So soft and chewy and super festive!
These are so festive and everyone loves them! The perfect chewy texture too!
Made some using regular M&Ms because that’s what I had on hand and they were a huge hit! So good. Definitely making these again for 4th of July! Easy and delicious: my kind of cookie!
These are perfect for the Fourth of July and I can’t wait to make these with my daughter! Perfect for my son’s birthday the day before too! Everyone is going to love these.