July Cookies with M&M’s are soft, chewy cookies bursting with patriotic color and rich flavor. These festive cookies are packed with red, white, and blue M&M’s, making them perfect for 4th of July celebrations, summer parties, or backyard barbecues. They’re as easy to make as they are fun to eat, with a buttery base and pops of chocolate in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies are an ideal summer dessert that’s both visually striking and delicious. They’re quick to prepare, use pantry staples, and require no special baking skills. The red, white, and blue M&M’s add a fun holiday touch, while the cookie base stays soft and chewy for days. Great for parties, gifting, or a patriotic-themed dessert table.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Red, white, and blue M&M’s (patriotic mix)
- Optional: White chocolate chips or patriotic sprinkles
- Optional: Red and blue food coloring for dough swirls
directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter with both sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Gently fold in the M&M’s, reserving a few to press on top of the cookies before baking.
- Optional: Divide the dough and color some red and some blue for a swirled patriotic look. Combine pieces of colored and plain dough before shaping.
- Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets using a cookie scoop. Press a few M&M’s on top for presentation.
- Bake for 1012 minutes, or until edges are set but centers are soft.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and timing
Servings: About 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 1012 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Add white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamy contrast.
- Mix in patriotic sprinkles for added color and crunch.
- Use peanut or pretzel M&M’s for a twist in texture and flavor.
- Swap M&M’s for chopped chocolate bars in patriotic foil wrappers.
- Shape the cookies larger and underbake slightly for a soft-batch bakery style.
storage/reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 1015 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked texture.
FAQs
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, the dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for 2 months.
How do I keep M&M’s from cracking in the oven?
Reserve some M&M’s to press on top after shaping the cookies instead of mixing all into the dough.
Can I use regular M&M’s instead of the patriotic mix?
Absolutely, but the patriotic mix adds a fun holiday theme.
What’s the best way to swirl colored dough?
Color portions of the dough with gel food coloring and gently twist them together without fully mixing.
Can I substitute butter with margarine?
Butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture, but margarine can work in a pinch.
Are these cookies soft or crispy?
They’re soft and chewy in the center with slightly crisp edges.
Can I make cookie bars with this dough?
Yes, press the dough into a baking dish and bake at 350°F for about 2025 minutes.
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes, let them cool completely, then store in freezer-safe bags or containers.
How can I make them dairy-free?
Use a plant-based butter and check that your M&M’s or chocolate alternatives are dairy-free.
Are these cookies good for shipping?
Yes, they hold up well when packed properly in a container with padding or parchment between layers.
Conclusion
July Cookies with M&M’s are a festive and flavorful way to celebrate any patriotic holiday or summer occasion. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, they’re a crowd-pleasing dessert that adds a pop of color to your celebrations. Bake a batch for your next gathering, and watch them disappear in no time.
Description
These soft and chewy July Cookies are packed with red, white, and blue M&M’s—perfect for Independence Day or any summer celebration! They’re buttery, sweet, and full of chocolatey goodness. Easy to make and fun for kids and adults alike.
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
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Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
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Fold in the M&M’s and mini chocolate chips (if using).
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Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
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Press a few extra M&M’s on top of each dough ball for a festive look.
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Bake for 1012 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
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Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
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You can use regular M&M’s if red, white, and blue aren’t available.
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Chill the dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies.
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These cookies freeze well for up to 2 months.
