Name: Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: Festive Crunch in Every Bite
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Salted Butter (softened); 1 cup Light Brown Sugar; 1 cup Granulated Sugar; 4 large Egg Yolks; 1 tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract; 2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 teaspoon Baking Powder; 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 cup Red and Green M&M's; 1 cup White Chocolate Chips; 1 cup Pretzel Pieces; 1 cup Potato Chip Pieces; 1 cup Red and Green Jimmies

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As I strolled through the bustling holiday market, the scent of warm chocolate and freshly baked treats filled the air, reminding me of the joys of festive baking. That’s when I decided to whip up a batch of Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, a delightful mashup that embodies the spirit of the season perfectly. These cookies blend sweet and salty flavors while welcoming a fun variety of mix-ins, making them an ideal kid-friendly recipe for holiday baking. With just a quick prep time, you can create a deliciously memorable treat that’s perfect for cookie exchanges or cozy nights by the fire. Are you ready to fill your kitchen with holiday cheer and create a new tradition? Let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe!

Why are these cookies a holiday must?

Festive and Fun: Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are perfect for adding a splash of color and joy to your holiday baking with their vibrant M&M’s and sprinkles. Easy to Make: This simple recipe combines straightforward steps with little prep time, making it ideal for even novice bakers. Sweet and Salty Delight: The enticing mix of chocolate, pretzels, and potato chips will have your taste buds celebrating. Kid-Friendly Fun: Involve the little ones in baking and let them pick their favorite mix-ins to get creative! Perfect for Sharing: Whether for a cookie exchange or a festive gathering, these cookies promise to impress friends and family alike, just like my beloved Cosmic Brownie Cookies.

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Ingredients

For the Cookie Base

Salted Butter – Provides richness and moisture; ensure it’s softened for easy creaming.
Light Brown Sugar – Adds moisture and a delightful soft chewiness with a hint of caramel flavor.
Granulated Sugar – Enhances sweetness and helps with the spread of cookies during baking.
Egg Yolks – Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract – Infuses warmth and brings out all the sweet flavors in the cookies.
All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure; be sure to measure accurately for the best results.
Baking Powder – Acts as a leavening agent to help your cookies rise perfectly.
Baking Soda – Works with acidic ingredients to aid in browning and spreading.
Salt – Enhances flavor and balances out the sweetness of the cookies.

For the Mix-Ins

Red and Green M&M’s – Child-friendly and festive; feel free to swap for your favorite chocolate candies.
White Chocolate Chips – Adds creaminess and sweetness, enhancing the cookie’s richness.
Pretzel Pieces – Introduces a delightful salty crunch and a wonderful texture contrast.
Potato Chip Pieces – Offers additional crunch with a salty flavor, amplifying the sweet-salty profile.
Red and Green Jimmies – For decoration, they add a fun, festive touch to each cookie.

Dive into making these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies and let the joyous flavors fill your holiday season!

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) while you prepare your cookie dough. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking, ensuring a clean finish for your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies. This setup will allow for a smooth baking process, so they bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened salted butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This crucial step helps to incorporate air, resulting in a delightful chewy texture for your cookies.

Step 3: Incorporate Egg Yolks and Vanilla
Next, add the egg yolks and vanilla bean paste or extract to the creamed mixture. Beat for approximately 2 minutes until the batter becomes pale and fluffy, creating a smooth and cohesive dough. The warmth of the vanilla complements the sweet flavors, enhancing the rich taste of your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
Gently stir in all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the dough. This step is vital for developing the right structure and preventing tough cookies, ensuring that each bite is tender and delicious.

Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Carefully fold in the colorful M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and festive sprinkles with a spatula. Mix until the add-ins are evenly distributed throughout the dough, creating a fun and vibrant blend that captures the essence of Christmas in each bite of your Kitchen Sink Cookies.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or a large spoon, portion the dough into 20 balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. If desired, you can place extra mix-ins on top of each dough ball for a decorative touch. This spacing ensures the cookies have enough room to spread while baking, achieving that perfect shape.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Bake your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as you can adjust the time depending on your desired texture—less time for chewy cookies and a bit longer for a crispier result. The edges should look set and lightly golden, while the centers remain soft.

Step 8: Reshape if Desired
For an even more appealing look, take a large cookie cutter and gently reshape the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. This technique ensures that each cookie has a beautiful uniform shape, making your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies not only tasty but also visually inviting.

Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool for an additional 10 minutes on the rack to firm up. This final cooling stage enhances the cookies’ texture, giving you that perfect balance of soft and chewy with a slight crisp edge.

Expert Tips for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

• Measure Flour Wisely: Accurate flour measurement is key to achieving the right cookie texture. Weighing flour prevents excess density and ensures sweet success with your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies.

• Temperature Matters: If your dough warms up during preparation, refrigerate briefly before shaping. This keeps your cookies thick and chewy rather than flat and spread out.

• Butter Softness: Make sure your salted butter isn’t too soft. If it’s overly melted, your cookies may spread too much, losing that desirable chewy texture—aim for a fluffy consistency after creaming.

• Reshaping Cookies: For a beautiful finish, reshape cookies with a cookie cutter right after removing them from the oven. This gives your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies a visually appealing look!

• Add Extra Mix-Ins: Don’t hesitate to sprinkle a few extra M&Ms or chocolate chips on top before baking. This not only enhances flavor but also adds a festive pop to your cookies.

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Variations

Feel free to get creative and personalize your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies for a unique twist that suits your taste buds!

Dairy-Free: Substitute butter with a dairy-free butter alternative and choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a delicious non-dairy option.
Nut-Free: Use sunbutter or soy nut butter in place of traditional nut butters to keep these cookies nut-free and safe for allergy concerns.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of cinnamon to the dough for a warm, spicy surprise that beautifully contrasts the sweetness.
Add Some Zest: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the cookie dough for a bright citrus twist that will elevate these cookies!
Texture Boost: For a heartier cookie, mix in oats for a chewy texture that complements the sweet and salty elements wonderfully.
Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities; just ensure additional binding agents are added.
Candy Bar Remix: Chopped up pieces of your favorite candy bar—like Snickers or Twix—could add a deliciously indulgent twist to the final flavor profile.
Festive Chocolate: Try white chocolate chips paired with crushed peppermint candies instead of M&Ms for a refreshingly minty twist, perfect for holiday celebrations.

With so many variations to choose from, there’s a Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookie adventure waiting just for you. Don’t forget to try my delightful Cosmic Brownie Cookies next for a chocolatey fiesta!

How to Store and Freeze Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for optimal freshness and to maintain their delightful texture.

Fridge: If you want to keep the cookies fresh longer, they can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, but be sure to let them come to room temperature before enjoying.

Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag or container. They can last for up to 2 weeks, so you can enjoy your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies anytime!

Reheating: When ready to enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature or warm them briefly in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 5-10 minutes for that freshly baked taste.

Make Ahead Options

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are perfect for busy home cooks looking to streamline their holiday baking! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance by mixing all your ingredients and then refrigerating the dough. This helps develop the flavors while keeping your cookies just as delicious. Alternatively, you can scoop and shape the dough balls and freeze them for up to 3 months; store them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, just place them on a baking sheet and add an extra minute or two to the baking time. This way, you’ll have fresh cookies ready to enjoy with minimal effort, helping you celebrate the season without the last-minute rush!

What to Serve with Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

These delightful cookies are perfect for rounding out a festive spread and creating warm holiday memories around the table.

Creamy Hot Chocolate: Rich and velvety, it complements the sweet-salty flavors of the cookies, creating a cozy vibe for cold winter nights.
Milk and Cookies Bar: Set up a fun station! Offer different types of milk like almond, oat, or even chocolate milk for a delightful pairing experience.
Classic Vanilla Ice Cream: The creaminess counterbalances the crunchy elements, creating an indulgent dessert that feels like a warm hug.
Fruit Salad: A refreshing mix of bright seasonal fruits adds a fresh contrast to the richness of the cookies, making for a balanced treat.
Cheese Platter: Include a variety of cheeses for an unexpected twist. The savory flavors of aged cheese enhance the cookie’s sweet and salty notes.
Mulled Wine: A spiced, warm beverage that elevates your holiday gathering and harmonizes perfectly with the festive flavors of Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies.

These pairings not only celebrate the joyous spirit of the season but also create an inviting atmosphere for sharing and indulging with loved ones.

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe FAQs

How do I choose the right ingredients for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?
Absolutely! For the best results, ensure your salted butter is softened, as it helps to create a fluffy texture when creamed with sugars. The light brown sugar is essential for moisture and softness, so don’t skip it! For the M&Ms, choose colors that represent the festive season, but feel free to swap them for any favorite chocolate candies. Remember to check expiration dates on baking powder and baking soda for optimal rise.

What is the best way to store Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them for up to a week—just let them come back to room temperature before enjoying. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can last up to 2 weeks in the freezer!

Can I freeze Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies? How do I do it?
Yes, you can! To freeze your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, first let them cool completely. Then, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until frozen solid, about an hour. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the oven.

What common issues should I watch out for when making these cookies?
Very! If your cookies turn out flat, it might be due to overly soft butter—cream it just until light and fluffy, not melted. Overmixing the dough can also lead to tough cookies, so mix until just combined. If your dough seems too sticky, chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before scooping can help maintain their shape during baking.

Are there any dietary considerations with Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?
Definitely! These cookies contain gluten and dairy, so they may not be suitable for individuals with severe allergies or sensitivities. If you’re baking for someone with dietary restrictions, explore alternatives such as using gluten-free all-purpose flour, dairy-free butter, and dark chocolate. Just remember to adjust the quantities based on the swap to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly delicious!