Patriotic M & M Cookies: A Burst of Red, White, and Blue

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If you’re looking for an easy dessert this Fourth of July, our Patriotic M&M Cookies are an excellent choice. Imagine classic chocolate chip cookies dressed in red, white, and blue. These cookies blend traditional comfort and patriotic flair, making them a must-have treat for any gathering.

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plate of patriotic cookies

Get ready to bake some festive cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat! These easy Patriotic M&M cookies are perfect for any celebration, especially during Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. 

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After all, can there be anything more American than a chocolate chip cookie? I decided to take the classic and dress it up with red, white, and blue, making it perfect for all your patriotic holidays. These cookies are ideal for on-the-go snacking as they don’t melt, making them perfect for events like parades, BBQs, and fireworks. Celebrate your love for the USA with these delicious Patriotic M and M Cookies!

The dough comes together quickly, and then you can add M&Ms and your favorite red, white, and blue star sprinkles. It’s a delightful and simple dessert for any party—you can even prepare the cookies in advance and freeze them! 

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I’ve learned that it’s best to make a double batch when baking chocolate chip cookies. I can assure you that these Patriotic M&M cookies will be the first to disappear at any party, so make sure you have plenty!

These cookies are an effortless yet delightful addition to any party. 

These red, white, and blue chocolate chip cookies are easy to make and require minimal cleanup. The ingredients come together easily, so you won’t need fancy baking supplies. 

This treat is part of my Patriotic Recipe collection. You can find all my Holiday & Seasonal Recipes here, or head to the Kid-Friendly Recipes resource hub for everything in one place.

Let’s get to the recipe.

Ingredients To Make Patriotic Cookies

ingredients for Patriotic cookies
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup red, white, and blue M&Ms, plus more for decorating
  • 1/4 cup star sprinkles for decorating

How To Make Patriotic M & M Cookies

Creaming the Butter and Sugars

sugar and butter in bowl

Cream the softened butter with both sugars in a large mixing bowl. The key is to use butter that is soft enough to blend smoothly. Beat these together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process adds air into the mix, giving your cookies a soft, tender texture.

Adding Wet Ingredients

adding the eggs and vanilla extract

Next, add the vanilla extract and eggs to your creamed mixture. Mix well to ensure that your wet ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Mixing in Dry Ingredients

adding the flour

Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl to avoid lumps and ensure even the baking soda and salt distribution. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mix. Mix until the dough comes together.

Adding The Fun Stuff

adding the chocolate chips and M & Ms

Now, using a spatula, fold the mini chocolate chips and M&Ms by hand. We want to distribute these tasty morsels evenly throughout the dough without breaking them.

Chilling The Dough

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too much, resulting in that wonderful chewy texture.

Preparing For Baking

At about the 50-minute mark, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Forming The Cookies

Patriotic cookies on baking sheet and ready to bake

Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to scoop the dough into neat balls. This size is perfect for ensuring that each cookie bakes evenly.

Decorating With Extra Goodies

Before baking, press a few extra M&Ms and some star sprinkles into the top of each dough ball. Pressing them on top rather than mixing them in makes them visible after baking, making your cookies look festive.

Baking The Cookies

Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 13 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn golden—this is your cue that they’re done. The centers should remain soft; they will set as they cool, giving you that delightful chewy texture.

Cooling Down

baked Patriotic cookies cooling on rack

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This step helps them firm up before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. After transferring, let them cool completely to allow the texture to settle properly.

plate of Patriotic cookies

Why You’ll Love Our Patriotic Cookies

Simple Ingredients, Amazing Results: You only need basic pantry staples and some M&Ms to create these eye-catching treats. 

Perfect for Every Occasion: Whether it’s the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or a casual family gathering, these cookies will fit right in. Their festive appearance and delicious taste make them suitable for any patriotic celebration.

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Kid-Friendly Fun: These cookies are easy enough for older kids to make. Kids of all ages will enjoy pressing extra candies and sprinkles into the tops of the cookies, which is a great way to make baking a fun family activity.

Make Ahead: These cookies are easy to prepare and can be made beforehand. You can freeze the dough or the baked cookies until you need them, ensuring you’re always ready for unexpected guests or last-minute events.

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No Mess, No Stress: The straightforward mixing process means less cleanup and more time to enjoy with friends and family. This hassle-free recipe gives you more time to celebrate and less time washing up.

Patriotic M & M Cookies

These easy Patriotic M&M cookies are perfect for any celebration, especially during Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.
Prep Time15 minutes
Chilling time1 hour
Yield: 24
Calories: 146kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup red white, and blue M&Ms, plus more for decorating
  • 1/4 cup star sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

  • Beat together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the vanilla and eggs and beat to combine.
  • Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and beat to mix.
  • Fold in the mini chocolate chips and M&Ms.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop the dough into balls.
  • Press more M&Ms and star sprinkles into the top of each cookie dough ball.
  • Bake the cookies for 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still soft.
  • Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

In conclusion, these patriotic cookies are the perfect treat to celebrate national holidays and show your love for your country. Chocolate chip cookies dressed in red, white, and blue will surely be a hit at any gathering or party. The simple recipe makes it a great baking project for all skill levels. So why not gather your friends and family, put on some patriotic music, and bake up a storm with these delicious cookies that will surely be a hit at any gathering! 

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