These rich, Easy Patriotic Homemade Brownies are the perfect festive dessert to help you celebrate the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any summer gathering!
Made with a homemade fudgy batter, they're topped with red, white, and blue M&M's—making them the perfect addition to your holiday table.
They’re simple enough for the kids to help decorate and can be made ahead of time so you can enjoy the party without stressing in the kitchen.
Don’t miss all the other festive 4th of July Food ideas—packed with delicious recipes perfect for your summer celebration!
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Serving something simple like brownies is a no-fail way to keep guests happy without spending hours in the kitchen.
They’re easy to make ahead, easy to transport, and always the first dessert to disappear at any summer gathering!
Looking for more Easy Dessert Recipes? Try my Patriotic Cookie Cake, Patriotic Poke Cake, and even my Patriotic Cupcake Cake. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Tips for Baking the Best Homemade Brownies Every Time
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Baking Instructions
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Recipe FAQ's
- How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- Celebrate Summer with the Red, White & Delicious Recipes eBook!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Food Safety Tips:
- 💬 Comments
Tips for Baking the Best Homemade Brownies Every Time
Use room temperature ingredients – Eggs and butter blend more smoothly, giving you a better texture.
Don’t overmix the batter – Stir just until combined to keep the texture fudgy, not cakey.
Line your pan with parchment paper – Makes it easy to lift and slice cleanly.
Check doneness with a toothpick – Look for moist crumbs (not raw batter) for the perfect finish.
Let them cool completely before cutting – This helps them set and prevents crumbling.
Save a few candy pieces – Gently press them into the top right after baking for a festive, bakery-style finish.
Check out my list...
My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
Boxed Mix Instead of Homemade – Use your favorite boxed brownie mix for a quick and easy shortcut. Just follow the box directions and add your patriotic toppings.
Enhance the flavor – Add a splash of vanilla extract, a pinch of espresso powder, or a handful of chocolate chips for extra richness. Check out my recipe for Homemade Brownies with coffee in the batter!
Gluten-Free Option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or a gluten-free brownie mix.
Cut into Shapes – Use star-shaped cookie cutters for a fun patriotic presentation (once cooled and firm!).
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the chocolate chips to the melted browned butter and allow to sit for about a minute before combining.
Step 2: Whisk both the sugars and salt into the chocolate mixture.
Step 3: Mix in the eggs and vanilla then add the red food dye.
Step 4: Fold in the cocoa powder and flour.
Step 5: Fold the M&M's into the brownie batter.
Step 6: Pour the batter into a 8x8 inch baking dish that's been lined with parchment paper.
Baking Instructions
Step 7: Add some more M&M's on top of the batter.
Step 8: Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick come out clean from the middle.
Step 9: Let the brownies cool completely then slice into squares. Check out my post for Tips on How to Cut Bar Cookies and Brownies!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
A boxed brownie mix works great for this recipe and is a great time-saver. Just prepare it according to the package instructions, then decorate with your red, white, and blue toppings for a festive touch. No one will know you didn’t make them from scratch!
To cut brownies cleanly without disturbing the toppings, let them cool completely first—chilling them in the fridge for 30 minutes helps, too. Use a sharp knife, and wipe it clean with a damp paper towel between cuts for neat, smooth edges.
How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is very warm, you can refrigerate them to keep the toppings from melting—just let them come to room temp before serving.
Freezer: Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw and Reheat: Thaw at room temperature for 30–60 minutes. To enjoy warm, microwave a brownie for about 10–15 seconds. Add a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat!
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Red Velvet 4th of July Cake or my 4th of July Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies. Or you might like this recipe for Red White Blue Cake Bars.
Celebrate Summer with the Red, White & Delicious Recipes eBook!
This beautifully designed digital cookbook features 10 fun and festive dessert recipes perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any red, white, and blue celebration.
📖 Recipe Card
Easy Patriotic Homemade Brownies
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, browned
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- red food dye
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup red, white and blue M&M's (reserve ¼ cup for the topping)
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter until it's brown and nutty. Then pour this into a large mixing bowl along with the chocolate chips.
- Let sit for a minute and then stir the two ingredients together until the chocolate chips melt completely.
- Add in both the salt, white and brown sugars and whisk until combined.
- Add in the other wet ingredients of vanilla and eggs. Whisk again until smooth.
- Add in the red food dye until a deep burgundy red is created.
- Now add in the cocoa powder and flour and fold into the batter until incorporated completely and a thick batter is formed. Add any extra red dye if the brownies are too brown and need to be a deeper red.
- Pour in the red, white and blue M&M’s and fold into the brownie batter.
- Transfer this batter to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Add more M&M’s on top so the red velvet brownies bake with the red, white and blue colors popping.
- Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Once they are done, remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Cut into squares, serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food Safety Tips:
- Bake goods to their recommended internal temperature, typically 165°F (74°C) or higher for safety.
- Use separate utensils and surfaces for raw ingredients, especially eggs, to prevent cross-contamination.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw dough or eggs.
- Avoid leaving baked goods or raw dough at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave the oven unattended while baking.
- Choose oils with a high smoking point to minimize the release of harmful compounds.
- Ensure good ventilation when using a gas stove when using an oven or gas stove to maintain a safe cooking environment.
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