Easy Patriotic Sheet Pan Red White and Blue M&M’s Cookie Bars

These Patriotic Sheet Pan Cookie Bars are a delightful way to show your love for your country while indulging in a sweet treat. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, they’re sure to become a favorite in your cookie bar recipe collection.

After making them a few times, I was able to get the perfect chocolate chip cookie bars that are soft and chewy all around (YES! Even the edges) with the perfect amount of mix-ins.

The best part is that you don’t have to scoop each cookie individually saving you so much time in the process!

Ingredients for these Patriotic Sheet Pan Red White and Blue M&M’s cookie bars

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this patriotic dessert. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Unsalted Butter: Be sure to use unsalted butter so that we can add the salt separately later. You will also want the butter to be softened, so pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes before starting the recipe.
• Light Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: sweeten the dough.
• Large Eggs : make the cookies chewy and act as the binding agent.
• Corn syrup: helps keep the cookie dough insanely chewy.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: add a touch of vanilla and help enhance the other flavors as well.
• All-purpose Flour: is the base of the cookie dough and combines with the wet ingredients to create the dough.
• Cornstarch: helps make the cookie dough more tender.
• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: help the cookie rise and become airy.
• Salt: balances out the sweetness while making the other flavors stronger as well.
• Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: are the perfect addition. I used semi-sweet but feel free to use dark or milk chocolate if you want.
• Red, White, and Blue M&M candies: or any variety you like!

How to make these Patriotic Sheet pan red white and blue m&m’s cookie bars

This is how you can make patriotic chocolate chip cookies. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the oven temp, bake time, and full step-by-step instructions! 

1. Preheat your oven, then line a half-sheet pan (around 12×17 inches) with parchment paper for easy removal and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air and helps the cookies spread for even baking.
3. Beat in the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until combined.
4. Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
5. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and M&Ms using a rubber spatula.
6. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake until the edges are golden brown and the center is just set (it may look a little soft, but it will firm up as it cools). Optional – halfway through the baking pull out the sheet pan and sprinkel with chocolate chips and m&M’s then continue baking. This will ensure that the chocolate chips and m&m’s don’t sink into the cookie.
8. Let the bars cool completely to room temperature in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk!

Recipe Tips

• Use a flat-bottomed cup or a bench scraper to gently press the dough into the pan, making sure it reaches the corners and has a consistent height throughout.
• Use a kitchen scale instead of a measuring cup to measure the flour. This will give you a much more accurate reading and ensure the best end results.

Why do you need to make this recipe?

• This easy patriotic m&m cookie recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store.
• It’s the perfect treat for Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, or any patriotic party.
• This festive dessert recipe can be customized or altered to fit whatever flavor you’re craving.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

How do i store leftover patriotic sheet pan red white and blue M&M’s cookie bars?

Store the cooled cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the bars for up to three months. Just make sure you wrap them in plastic wrap first to prevent freezer burn.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to bake, allow the dough to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then proceed with the recipe as directed.

Can I add other mix-ins to these chewy cookie bars?

Of course! There are plenty of options to spruce up these festive treats!

• Add cocoa powder to the dough to make loaded patriotic chocolate cookies.
• Use white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips instead of regular.
• Add chopped nuts like peanuts or almonds.

Can i use a sugar cookie dough instead?

This is a chocolate chip cookie dough recipe but if you want to use the sugar cookie dough from the store please do. It will not taste the same as this recipe, so instead, I would go with the chocolate chip cookie dough log. You can add the m&m’s in there to decorate it as you please.

Patriotic sheet pan red, white and blue M&M’s cookie bars

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