Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies are classic, chewy chocolate chip cookies dressed up with festive red, white, and blue sprinkles or M&M’s—perfect for summer holidays like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day. These cookies are a fun, colorful twist on the traditional favorite and are just as easy to make and even more fun to serve.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies combine everything you love about traditional chocolate chip cookies—chewy centers, golden edges, and melty chocolate—with the festive flair of red, white, and blue. They’re simple to make with pantry staples, easy to customize, and perfect for parties, barbecues, or cookie platters. They’re also a great baking activity to do with kids and a fun way to add holiday spirit to a classic treat.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Unsalted butter (softened)
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
• Red, white, and blue M&M’s or sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
5. Combine with dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in chocolate chips and decorations: Stir in chocolate chips and about half of the patriotic M&M’s or sprinkles.
7. Scoop and shape: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra M&M’s on top of each cookie for a festive finish.
8. Bake: Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft.
9. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24 cookies.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 10 minutes
Cooling time: 10 minutes
Total time: About 35 minutes

Variations

• White Chocolate Chips: Swap in white chocolate chips for a sweeter, more colorful look.
• Funfetti Style: Use only sprinkles and no chocolate chips for a sugar cookie twist.
• Cookie Bars: Press the dough into a 9×13-inch pan and bake for 20–25 minutes for easy cookie bars.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free cookies.
• Chilled Dough: Chill the dough for 1–2 hours for thicker cookies with enhanced flavor.

storage/reheating

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To freeze, store baked cookies or unbaked dough balls in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
To reheat, microwave a cookie for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-baked softness.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought cookie dough?

Yes! Just stir in patriotic M&M’s or sprinkles for a quick shortcut version.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

Make sure your butter isn’t too soft and chill the dough if needed to prevent excessive spreading.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can chill the dough for up to 48 hours before baking. It also freezes well.

How do I keep my cookies soft?

Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to retain moisture.

Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet?

Yes! Use any chocolate chips you prefer—milk, dark, white, or even chopped chocolate.

Can I use all sprinkles and no chocolate?

Absolutely. You’ll end up with a sugar-cookie-style base with a patriotic funfetti look.

Are these cookies kid-friendly to make?

Yes, they’re perfect for kids to help scoop, decorate, and sprinkle!

What’s the best way to press M&M’s on top?

Press them into the tops of the dough balls just before baking for a polished finish.

Can I make mini cookies?

Yes, use a smaller scoop and reduce the baking time by 2–3 minutes.

Do I need to refrigerate the dough?

Not required, but chilling helps with thicker cookies and better flavor.

Conclusion

Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert for your next summer celebration. With their soft centers, festive appearance, and classic flavor, they’re an easy and irresistible way to add red, white, and blue spirit to your dessert table. Whether you’re baking for a party or just for fun, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and sweet moments to the occasion.

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