Red White and Blue M&M Cookie Bars

Red White and Blue M&M Cookie Bars are the ultimate patriotic dessert for celebrating the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any summer gathering. These chewy, buttery cookie bars are loaded with chocolate chips and festive M&M’s in America’s favorite colors. Easy to bake in one pan and perfect for feeding a crowd, they’re a guaranteed hit at barbecues, picnics, and parties.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fun and festive dessert that’s great for patriotic holidays
• Easy, no-fuss bar cookie—no scooping or chilling dough
• Chewy center with golden, crisp edges
• Loaded with chocolate chips and red, white, and blue M&M’s
• Perfect make-ahead treat for parties and events

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Red, white, and blue M&M’s
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in 1½ cups of M&M’s and chocolate chips (if using).
7. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
8. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s over the top and gently press them into the dough.
9. Bake for 3035 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Servings and Timing

• Yield: 24 cookie bars
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 3035 minutes
• Total Time: 4550 minutes

Variations

• Use different M&M colors for other holidays (green and red for Christmas, pastels for Easter)
• Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch
• Swap semi-sweet chips with white chocolate or butterscotch chips
• For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour

Storage/Reheating

• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
• Refrigerate for longer storage (up to 1 week)
• Freeze individual bars wrapped in plastic and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months
• Reheat in the microwave for 1015 seconds to restore softness

FAQs

Can I use store-bought cookie dough for this recipe?

Yes, you can use store-bought dough and press it into the pan, then top with M&M’s for a shortcut version.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, double it and bake in a rimmed baking sheet for a larger batch. You may need to slightly adjust the baking time.

How do I get clean slices?

Let the bars cool completely before cutting and use a sharp knife, wiping it between cuts.

Can I make these without chocolate chips?

Yes, omit the chocolate chips if you prefer. The M&M’s provide plenty of sweetness.

How do I prevent the bars from overbaking?

Start checking for doneness around 30 minutes. The edges should be golden, and the center should not jiggle.

Are these bars freezer-friendly?

Yes. Cool completely, slice, and wrap individually for the best results.

Can I use mini M&M’s?

Mini M&M’s work great and spread more evenly throughout the bars.

What pan size works best?

A 9×13-inch pan is ideal, but you can also use a slightly smaller one for thicker bars (just increase the bake time).

Do I need to chill the dough?

No chilling is required, making this a fast and easy recipe.

Can I bake these as individual cookies instead?

Yes, scoop the dough into rounds and bake for 911 minutes for cookie versions.

Conclusion

Red White and Blue M&M Cookie Bars are the perfect easy dessert to show off your patriotic spirit. Whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ or preparing snacks for a fireworks display, these chewy, colorful bars will be a crowd favorite. Simple to make, endlessly customizable, and undeniably delicious—this is a recipe you’ll want to return to every summer.

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