These 4th of July cookies are the perfect treat to kick off your Independence Day cookout. I love the colorful touch of white chocolate chips and red, white, and blue M&Ms, which will make these patriotic cookies a hit at your gathering.
Whether you’re having a big family get-together or a casual hangout with friends, you’ll love how fun these cookies are to make — and they’re just as fun to eat! With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a batch of colorful cookies ready in no time.
But it’s not just about the looks – the taste of these 4th of July cookies will have everyone coming back for seconds. The buttery, soft cookies packed with white chocolate chips and patriotic M&Ms are the best chocolate chip and M&M cookies. Plus, this is a great recipe to get the kids involved with because they’ll love helping to mix in the candies and show off their festive creations.
I’ve always loved everything about July 4th celebrations, from the fireworks to the music and especially the food! It’s a great time to showcase some of your best Southern favorites, like fried chicken and apple pie, or banana pudding and brownies.
And of course, you’ve got to have some festive treats! We’ve got you covered with these patriotic cookies, our white chocolate covered Oreos, or our 4th of July cupcakes.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
EASINESS – These cookies are easy to make and great for kids to help with. They can stir in the M&Ms and decorate the cookies with more M&Ms or sprinkles.
TASTE – What’s better than a yummy chocolate chip cookie? A yummy chocolate chip cookie that ALSO has M&Ms! These cookies are so good — the kids won’t be the only ones grabbing seconds.
FESTIVE – It’s always fun to serve themed food, so of course, we love to put out a tray of these red, white, and blue cookies for the 4th of July.
I hope you’ll try our patriotic cookies. I think you’ll love them, and your family will request them over and over!
What you’ll need for 4th of July cookies
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Keep scrolling below the recipe card to get detailed how-to steps with photos, common questions, and tips for success.
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar, packed
- Unsalted butter, room temperature
- Large eggs, room temperature
- Vanilla extract
- White chocolate chips
- Red, white, and blue M&Ms – use the ones made for baking for best results
4th of July Cookies with M&Ms
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup red, white, and blue M&Ms, plus extra for topping on cookies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch together until well mixed. Set aside.
- Using an electric hand mixer, in a large mixing bowl beat the sugar, brown sugar, and butter together until smooth.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. Add the vanilla extract, and mix at low speed.
- Pour in about a third of the flour mixture, and continue mixing with the hand mixer at low speed. Add the remaining dry ingredients, and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the white chocolate chips and M&Ms.
- Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop out balls of dough and place them on a piece of parchment paper about an inch apart, preferably on a small cutting board or cookie sheet so they are easy to transfer. Press 3-4 extra M&Ms or chocolate chips into the tops of the dough balls.
- Freeze the cookie dough for 30 minutes. If there is extra cookie dough in the bowl, place it in the refrigerator until it is ready to be used.
- Transfer the chilled dough balls onto the parchment-lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart, and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to brown. (I fit 12 cookies on each cookie sheet, so you may need to bake these in batches. Make sure to keep the cookie dough chilled until you are ready to bake it.)
- Place the cookies on a cooling rack for about 30 minutes, or until they reach room temperature.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
Notes
Nutrition
How to make 4th of July cookies
Step 1. Preheat oven and prepare pans. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Step 2. Mix flour and leavening agents. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch together until well-mixed. Set aside.
Step 3. Mix batter. Using an electric hand mixer, beat the sugar, brown sugar, and butter together in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. Add the vanilla extract, and mix at low speed.
Step 4. Add flour mixture, chocolate chips, and M&Ms. Pour in about a third of the flour mixture, and continue mixing with the hand mixer at low speed. Add the remaining dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate chips and M&Ms.
Step 5. Scoop and chill. Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop out balls of dough and place them on a piece of parchment paper about an inch apart, preferably on a small cutting board or cookie sheet so they are easy to transfer. Press 3-4 extra M&Ms or chocolate chips into the tops of the dough balls.
Freeze the cookie dough for 30 minutes. If there is extra cookie dough in the bowl, place it in the refrigerator until it is ready to be used.
Step 6. Bake and EAT! Transfer the chilled dough balls onto the parchment-lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart, and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to brown. (I fit 12 cookies on each cookie sheet, so you may need to bake these in batches. Make sure to keep the cookie dough chilled until you are ready to bake it.)
Place the cookies on a cooling rack for about 30 minutes.
Questions and tips for patriotic cookies
How do you store the 4th of July cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
How to decorate 4th of July cookies?
We use white chocolate chips and M&Ms in these cookies, but you could add sprinkles or make Royal icing to decorate the cookies.
Why do my M&M cookies bleed?
Moisture will cause the M&Ms to bleed, so you have a couple of options. You can use the M&Ms that are specifically for baking, or you can take regular M&Ms and freeze them for about 30 minutes before making the cookies. And stir gently.
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