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Chewy 4th of July cookies are studded with M&Ms for a simple festive flair!
we Love A Patriotic Twist
Cookies are a quick and easy treat to bring to BBQs or whip together for a sweet tooth craving. These 4th of July cookies are also fun and festive for your favorite summer and 4th of July celebrations!
We always have treats to munch on during fireworks on the Fourth and these cookies are our go-to and make a great addition to your Fourth of July Desserts spread!
Why we love them:
- For last-minute treats. Make ahead of time and store as cookie dough or as baked cookies to whip out for friends and family for ALL of the special events.
- Soft and chewy. They are just as delicious as our M&M Cookies, but with a festive flair!
- Change it up. Customize the cookies by using different flavored M&M’s or adding white chocolate chips. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 7 minutes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar – or for a chewier cookie use dark brown sugar
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter – How to Soften Butter Quickly
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs – Using room temperature eggs will help them incorporate more smoothly into the dough
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – For a subtle flavor twist, use ½ teaspoon of almond extract instead of 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – learn How to Measure Flour
- M&M’s – use a package of plain red, white, and blue M&M’s
How to make 4th of July Cookies
- PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- BATTER. Cream together 1 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup butter, and ½ cup oil. Add 2 eggs and beat until fluffy.
- Add 1 teaspoon each of baking powder, salt, baking soda, and 3 cups flour. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Mix in chopped M&Ms {however many you want}.
- BAKE. Place dough balls on a greased pan and insert a few M&Ms on top. Bake in the oven for 7-8 minutes.
Chopping M&Ms
Use a nut chopper (our favorite tool!) or a food processor. Or put them inside a Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
More Like This
- More patriotic recipes: American Flag Cake, 4th of July Punch, Patriotic Trail Mix
- More red, white, and blue desserts: July 4th Poke Cake, 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats, Red White and Blue Cake
More collections: 4th of July Desserts, Memorial Day Desserts, 4th of July Recipes
4th of July Cookies
Chewy 4th of July cookies are studded with M&Ms to add a simple festive flair to your holiday celebrations!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- M&M's, (plain) red, white and blue – chopped and whole, separated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream together sugar, brown sugar, butter, and oil. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
- Add baking powder, salt, baking soda, and flour. Add vanilla extract.
- Mix in chopped M&Ms {however many you want}.
- Place dough balls on a greased pan and insert a few M&Ms on top. Bake in the oven for 7-8 minutes.
Notes
Store cookie dough. Cover and store the dough in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking. For longer storage:Log shape. Form into a log shape, wrap it with plastic wrap and again with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before shaping and baking.
Dough ball. Form the cookie dough balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze for a couple of hours or until the dough is solid then transfer them to a freezer-safe Ziploc.
When freezing cookie dough, save the M&M’s (for the tops) to add just before baking.
STORE cooled 4th of July M&M cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Tossing a piece of white bread into the container will help them stay soft and chewy.
FREEZE baked cookies for up to 5 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 36g, Calories: 135kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 123mg, Potassium: 34mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 92IU, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Variations?
- Sprinkle or roll the dough into 4th of July colored Jimmies or add white chocolate chips.
Can I refrigerate cookie dough?
- Cover and store the dough in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking.
Can I freeze cookie dough?
- When freezing cookie dough save the M&M’s (for the tops) to add just before baking.
- Log shape. Form into a log shape, wrap it with plastic wrap and again with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before shaping and baking.
- Dough ball. Form the cookie dough balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze for a couple of hours or until the dough is solid then transfer them to a freezer-safe Ziploc.
How to store baked 4th of July cookies?
- Store the cooled Independence Day cookie recipe in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Tossing a piece of white bread into the container will help them stay soft and chewy.
How to Freeze?
- Freeze Fourth of July Cookies for 3-4 months.
How fun are these! I made them this weekend to test them out and will definitely be making them again for the fourth!
These were super fun to make and also super yummy! Can’t wait to make them again on the 4th.
COOKIES….YUM
I made these for our 4th of July cookout and they were a big hit. Everyone loved them and I will definitely make them again
These cookies were so soft and yummy. I love the patriotic colors. Perfect treat to just have set out during our family 4th of July party today.
I love fun and festive food! These cookies are perfect for any occasion.
Delicious & festive!! We made these last year & of course, they have been requested again!
Yum! Love these! So wonderfully festive! The cookies are really quite tasty. Love these.
Hi Kristyn!
I used your recipe to make these cookies for Easter and everyone loved them! Now I want to try them for Fourth of July but was wondering if I could use all butter instead of part butter/part oil. And if you think it’s best to use oil, what kind do you use?
Thanks,
Becky
Oh wow! These cookies are perfect for my son’s birthday and for the Fourth of July! Everyone is going love these cookies! Excited to make these with my daughter!
So fun, we love these cookies! And i love that you can customize these for every holiday with different m & m’s!
Yay! Glad you love the cookies. And yes, I couldn’t agree more! They are a great “holiday” cookie.