Fireworks blondies are the ultimate fast, easy dessert for any 4th of July party. If you need something sweet that you can throw together in minutes without dealing with rolling pins or cookie cutters, this is it. The edges get perfectly chewy while the center stays soft and dense, packed with melty chocolate candies and colorful sprinkles.
There is no chilling the dough or waiting around. Just mix everything in one bowl, spread it into a pan, and bake. Plus, it transports easily, making it great for bringing to a backyard barbecue or picnic. For more summer dessert ideas, check out our American Flag Pie (Stars & Stripes) recipe.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this fireworks blondies recipe
- Fast and easy: You only need 10 minutes of prep time and one mixing bowl.
- Crowd-pleaser: The dense, brown-sugar flavor mixed with chocolate candies is always a hit.
- Customizable: Swap the red, white, and blue candies for any holiday colors.
- Sturdy: They hold up well in the heat, making them perfect for outdoor summer parties.
The simple ingredients you need
You probably have most of these basics in your pantry right now. Here is what you need to pull these together.
- Melted butter
- Using melted butter instead of softened butter gives the blondies a denser, chewier texture.
- Brown sugar
- Light brown sugar keeps the blondies moist and adds a rich, caramel flavor.
- Eggs
- Eggs bind the dough together. Room temperature eggs mix in better.
- Vanilla extract
- A full tablespoon adds a deep, bakery-style flavor.
- All-purpose flour
- Spoon the flour into your measuring cup so you do not pack it down, which can make the blondies dry.
- Baking powder
- This gives the blondies just enough lift so they aren’t too heavy.
- Salt
- A little salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and candies.
- Patriotic M&Ms
- Grab a bag of the red, white, and blue M&Ms for that 4th of July look.
- Sprinkles
- Jimmies or star-shaped sprinkles add a fun crunch and extra color.
How to make fireworks blondies
- Prep your pan: Heat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang so you can lift the blondies out later.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and brown sugar together until smooth.
- Add the eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Fold the dry ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir just until you don’t see any dry flour left. Do not overmix.
- Add the mix-ins: Gently fold in most of the M&Ms and sprinkles. Save a handful to press into the top before baking.
- Bake: Spread the thick batter evenly into your pan. Press the remaining candies on top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should look set, but the center will still be a little soft.
Fun variations to try
You can easily switch up this recipe based on what you have in the pantry.
Chocolate Chip Fireworks Blondies
Swap half of the M&Ms for white or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Pretzel Crunch Blondies
Fold in a half cup of crushed pretzels for a salty-sweet twist. This pairs nicely with our other easy desserts.
Brown Butter Blondies
Brown the butter in a saucepan first, let it cool slightly, and then mix it with the sugar. It adds a deep, nutty flavor.
Frosted Funfetti Blondies
Spread a thick layer of vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting over the cooled blondies, then top with extra red, white, and blue sprinkles. chuck our homemade cream cheese frosting or our vanilla buttercream Frosting .
Cake Mix 4th of july Blondies
Short on time? Swap the flour, baking powder, and sugar for a box of yellow cake mix to make these even faster.
Serving Ideas
Serve these warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. They are also perfect alongside a fresh berry fruit salad or a platter of summer sides with Marshmallow Pops at your next cookout.
Prep and storage advice
Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, wrap the cut squares tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
To reheat, just let them thaw on the counter or pop a square in the microwave for 10 seconds to get the chocolate melty again.
Fireworks Blondies
Equipment
- 1 9×13-inch baking pan
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter melted
- 2 cups Brown sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup M&Ms (red, white, blue)
- 1/2 cup Patriotic sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
- Gently fold in the M&Ms and sprinkles, saving some for the top.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and top with the remaining candies.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
FAQs
Why did my blondies turn out dry?
Overbaking is the main reason blondies dry out. Pull them from the oven when the edges are golden but the center still looks slightly underbaked. They will continue to set as they cool in the pan.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double the ingredients, but you will need to bake them in two 9×13 inch pans or a large sheet pan. Watch the baking time closely if using a sheet pan, as they will be thinner and bake faster.
Do I have to use parchment paper?
You don’t have to, but it makes lifting the entire block of blondies out of the pan much easier. If you don’t have it, just grease the pan well with butter or cooking spray.
Grab your mixing bowl and give these fireworks blondies a try for your next summer party. They are fast, completely foolproof, and always the first dessert to disappear from the table.
