Description

Celebrate any patriotic holiday with these delicious Patriotic M&M Cookies, featuring a perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors, chewy centers, and crisp edges. These cookies are loaded with colorful red, white, and blue M&Ms that add delightful texture and a festive touch, making them a perfect treat for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or any celebration. Easy to prepare and adaptable to various occasions, they deliver a fun and flavorful experience in every bite.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Add-Ins

1 3/4 cups Patriotic M&Ms (red, white, and blue), crushed and mini M&Ms mixed

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Fold in M&Ms: Gently fold in the crushed and mini Patriotic M&Ms, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
Form cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look set but still soft.
Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For chewier cookies, slightly underbake and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet.
Use a mixture of crushed and mini M&Ms for optimal texture and festive appearance.
You can swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend if needed, but texture may vary.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Adding a pinch of sea salt on top before baking can enhance the sweet and salty flavor balance.