4th of July Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars
These 4th of July Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Bars are soft, chewy and loaded with chocolate chips and red, white, and blue Peanut Butter M&Ms. The dough comes together in one bowl, bakes in about 25 minutes, and makes a fun, festive treat for July 4th parties, picnics, and potlucks.
Ingredients
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar light or dark both work
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature if possible
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup red, white and blue Peanut Butter M&Ms plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients. Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Fold in chocolate chips, sprinkles and a few M&Ms (save some of the M&Ms for later).
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan (You’ll probably have to use your hands, as the dough is rather thick). Bake for 15 minutes to let the dough begin to set.
- Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle some extra M&Ms across the top. This keeps them colorful and on the surface.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.