These Red, White, and Blue Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for your next Fourth of July picnic or any patriotic party. They’re thick, chewy chocolate chip bars that are studded with colorful M&M’s and delicious chocolate chips in every single bite.
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Easy Cookie Bar Recipe
We absolutely love the beginning of summer because it ushers in all the patriotic holidays filled with family gatherings, fireworks and amazing food. Last year we shared these Red, White and Blue Cookies recipe and they were such a hit. I decided to try a brand-new spin on them with these super easy cookie bars! I have to say, they turned out ah-mazing!
Homemade chocolate chip cookie dough is loaded up with colorful M&Ms. The dough is then pressed into a baking sheet and is adorned with even more red, white and blue M&Ms. The beautiful patriotic colors are so festive and fun, they really turn ordinary cookie bars into gorgeous and super tasty party-worthy treats your guests will rave over.
If you want other red, white and blue desserts, try these Marshmallow Bars, Fourth of July Rice Krispie Treats and this Red, White and Blue Snack Mix that is a sure way to get any party started.
Why We Love These Cookie Bars
- Sheet pan cookie bars are a lot easier to make and take less time than traditional drop cookies.
- They start with a great recipe for the best homemade chocolate chip cookie dough.
- Red, white and blue M&Ms make these cookie bars the perfect patriotic treats for any Memorial Day or Fourth of July festivities.
What’s Needed for Patriotic M&M’s Cookie Bars
- Butter: Either salted or unsalted softened butter can be used. If you use unsalted butter, you may want to increase the salt
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar is used, but if you want even more molasses flavor, you can use dark brown sugar
- White sugar: Adds additional sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: You can use vanilla or almond extract
- Eggs: Large eggs are best for this recipe
- Flour: You’ll need all-purpose flour
- Salt, baking powder and baking soda: Needed to make the cookies rise
- M&M’s: Red, white and blue patriotic colors
- Chocolate chips: You can use semi-sweet or milk-chocolate chips
How to Make Patriotic Cookie Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and then butter the parchment paper and sides of the baking pan.
Step One: Prepare and Mix Wet Ingredients
- In the large bowl of an electric mixer add one cup butter and sugars. Mix with a paddle attachment until well blended and light and fluffy.
- Add in vanilla and eggs, continue mixing until well incorporated.
Step Two: Whisk Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisk until well incorporated.
Step Three: Combine Ingredients
- Add dry ingredients gradually into the mixer with the wet ingredients, mixing after each addition.
- Add in chocolate chips and one cup of the M&M’s fold in until evenly mixed.
Step Four: Bake the Cookie Bars
- Transfer dough and spread evenly into your prepared cookie sheet.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of M&Ms across the top of the cookie dough and gently press them down.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bars are nice and golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy!
Variations and Add-ins for Easy Cookie Bars
- You can make these dessert bars with any seasonal M&M colors depending on the time of year. Red and green for Christmas, red and pink for Valentine’s Day, there are so many great possibilities.
- For even more colorful decorations, add some red, white and blue sprinkles or star sprinkles to the top of the dough before baking them
- Swap out the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
- Add extra crunch with chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter
- You can make his patriot dessert without any chocolate chips or even with sugar cookie dough. If you use this dough recipe without chocolate chips, the cookie bars will be Red, White and Blue Blondies.
- If you want extra decadent cookie bars, you can frost the cooled bars using a powdered sugar type of white icing like a vanilla buttercream or cream cheese icing. Wait to add the M&Ms to the top layer until after you’ve frosted them.
- For an easy short cut, you can use a refrigerated store-bought dough, but trust me, this homemade dough is super easy and only takes minutes to prepare.
How to Store Fourth of July Cookies Bars
Store these in an airtight container room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them. Double wrap the bars in plastic wrap and stick them in the freezer for up to a couple of months.
How Do You Cut Cookie Bars Cleanly?
If you are feeding a lot of people and want to add them to a patriotic dessert tray, the best way to cut clean and smooth bars is to let the bars cool completely before cutting them.
Then, just use a sharp, thin knife dipped into hot water before each slice. Make sure to dry it off quickly after each time you dip it.
Want More Dessert Bar Recipes?
- Easter Cookie Bars
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Maple Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Covered S’more Bars
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Chip Energy Bars
Red, White, and Blue Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups M&Ms
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and then butter the parchment and sides of the pan.
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer add the butter and sugars.
- Mix with a paddle attachment until well
- blended and light and fluffy.
- Add in vanilla and eggs, continue mixing until well incorporated.
- In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisk until well incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients gradually into the mixer, mixing after each addition.
- Add in chocolate chips and one cup of the M&M’s fold in until evenly mixed.
- Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of M&M’s across the top of the cookie dough.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into 24 squares.
- Store in an airtight container
Nutrition
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