M and M brownies are always a crowd-pleaser, rich, chewy, and packed with chocolatey flavor. For the 4th of July, these classic treats get a festive twist with red, white, and blue M&M’s that match the patriotic spirit.
They’re easy to whip up and guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or need a quick dessert for a potluck, these 4th of July M and M brownies deliver on both style and flavor.
No need for fancy tools or complicated steps, just a few pantry staples and festive M&M’s turn classic brownie bars into a celebration-worthy treat.
Looking for more fun desserts to add to your brownie lineup? Don’t miss these red velvet brownies, biscoff blondies, and mini egg brownies, each one brings its own twist to a classic favorite.
Recipe Highlights
- Quick and easy: Simple ingredients, one bowl, and minimal cleanup.
- Chewy and chocolatey: Rich cocoa flavor with that signature soft, fudgy center.
- Festive look: Red, white, and blue M&M’s give these brownies patriotic flair.
- Crowd-pleaser: Great for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, or any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: Melted for a rich, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar & brown sugar: A combo for sweetness and chewy texture.
- Eggs: Adds structure and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Red food color: Optional, use if you want a red velvet 4th of July brownies.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the base without making the brownies cakey.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: For deep chocolate flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- Red, white, and blue M&M’s: The star of this patriotic dessert, use plain or peanut varieties.
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
Tools for this recipe
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- 8 X 8 pan
- Parchment paper
How to make m and m brownies for 4th of July
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a square 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and releases a toasty, nutty aroma.
Carefully pour the hot butter into a large mixing bowl and add the chocolate chips right away. Stir till the chocolate chips are melted.
Add the salt, and sugars and mix until well combined. Next Add eggs and vanilla, and whisk until fully combined then add the red food dye if using.
Stir in cocoa powder and flour, until just combined, don’t overmix. You can add a few more drops of red food dye if needed.
Fold in about ¾ of the M&M’s, reserving the rest for topping.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing out the top. Sprinkle remaining M&M’s evenly over the surface.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center no longer jiggles. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
Serving suggestions
Pair these brownies with other 4th of July favorites like fresh fruit skewers, no-churn ice cream, or lemonade.
They also go great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side.
How to store
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Reheat (optional): Warm individual brownies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for that gooey center.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t overbake. Slightly underdone in the center = perfectly chewy brownies.
- Use parchment paper for easy lifting and clean slicing.
- Press extra M&M’s on top right before baking for a more vibrant finish.
- Cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbly edges.
FAQs
Yes! Start with your favorite boxed mix and fold in patriotic M&M’s before baking.
Regular milk chocolate M&M’s work best, but you can also try peanut, pretzel, or even mini M&M’s for variety.
Absolutely. Use a 9x13-inch pan and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick near the center.
Sure, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or a swirl of marshmallow cream are great additions that won’t compete with the M&M’s.
More brownie and m & m recipes
Tiramisu brownies
Dubai chocolate brownies
Christmas cookie bars
Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
These 4th of July M&M brownies are a festive, fuss-free dessert that checks all the boxes: chewy, chocolatey, and colorful.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself, this easy recipe is a sweet way to show some patriotic spirit.
Happy baking!
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Red Velvet 4th of July Brownies
Equipment
- 8x8 Baking Dish
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (browned)
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red Food Dye (optional)
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup M&ms (Red, white and blue)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang on the sides.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Immediately pour it into a large mixing bowl with the chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and fully melted.
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Whisk until the mixture is well combined and slightly glossy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then whisk again until the batter is smooth.
- If using food coloring, add a few drops and mix until the color reaches a deep red tone.
- Gently fold in the cocoa powder and flour until no dry spots remain and the batter becomes thick. Add a little more red food coloring if needed to achieve a deeper color.
- Stir in most of the red, white, and blue M&M’s, reserving a handful for topping. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Press the remaining M&M’s into the surface.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, lift out using the parchment paper and cut into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
• Letting the butter and chocolate sit for a minute helps them melt together smoothly.
• The batter should be thick—don’t overmix or the brownies may turn out cakey.
• Add food coloring gradually; the color deepens as you mix in the cocoa and flour.
• For clean edges, cool completely before cutting.
• You can swap in mini M&M’s or peanut M&M’s if preferred.
