Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

If you are looking for a festive treat that combines every delightful flavor you crave during the holidays, look no further than the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe. These cookies are exactly what their name suggests—a delicious mashup of sweet, salty, crunchy, and colorful ingredients all baked into one glorious cookie. From the buttery base to the surprise mix-ins like M&M’s, pretzels, and white chocolate chips, this recipe is the ultimate holiday showstopper that’s easy to make and impossible to resist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies truly spectacular are the simple yet carefully selected ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, whether it’s adding sweetness, texture, or that signature festive pop of color and crunch you’ll want in every bite.

• Salted butter (3/4 cup, softened): Provides rich flavor and softness to the cookie dough.
• Light brown sugar (3/4 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note improving the chewiness.
• Granulated white sugar (1/4 cup): Contributes crispness and sweetness balance.
• Egg yolks (2, at room temperature): Help bind ingredients and add extra richness.
• Vanilla bean paste or extract (2 teaspoons): Infuses the dough with warm, aromatic flavor.
• All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups, spooned and leveled): Forms the structure of the cookies.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Gives a slight lift and light texture.
• Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies spread and brown beautifully.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
• Red and green M&M’s (1/2 cup): Bring classic holiday colors and a chocolatey surprise.
• White chocolate chips (1/3 cup): Add creamy sweetness and soft bursts of flavor.
• Pretzel pieces (1/3 cup): Deliver salty crunch and contrast to the sweet elements.
• Potato chip pieces (1/3 cup): Introduce unexpected savory crunch for a fun twist.
• Red and green jimmies (2 tablespoons): Sprinkle festive cheer and color throughout every bite.

How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, allowing you to enjoy perfectly shaped cookies every time.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to creating that tender texture and helps to incorporate air for a softer cookie.

Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Next, add the egg yolks and vanilla bean paste or extract and continue mixing on medium speed for two more minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy. This makes your cookie dough rich and full of flavor, setting the stage for delicious results.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

Mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl, then slowly add this dry mix into your wet ingredients. Stir just until everything is nicely combined—overmixing can make cookies tough, so gentle folding is the way to go.

Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins

Here is where the magic happens! Gently fold in the red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and those festive red and green jimmies. These mix-ins give the cookies their signature crunch, bursts of chocolate, and gorgeous holiday colors.

Step 6: Scoop and Optional Toppings

Scoop the dough into 20 balls and space them about two inches apart on your lined baking sheets. If you want to go the extra mile, sprinkle a few additional mix-ins on top of each cookie dough ball for a picture-perfect festive look and added texture.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. For chewier centers, pull them out at 10 minutes, or for crisper edges, give them the full 12. Optionally, right out of the oven, use a large circular cookie cutter to shape each cookie into a perfect circle by swirling it gently. This little trick keeps everything neatly packed in and visually stunning.

Step 8: Cooling and Storage

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack for another 10 minutes of cooling. This ensures they firm up perfectly while staying moist inside. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days to preserve freshness.

How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Add a sprinkle of extra red and green jimmies or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate on top of cooled cookies to amp up the festive look. These little touches make these treats irresistible for guests and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk for the pure classic combo, or try serving alongside hot cocoa or warm spiced cider to keep things cozy. They also complement a holiday cheese platter nicely as a sweet contrast to savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Make a cookie platter arranged in a Christmas tree shape or stack these colorful cookies inside a clear jar tied with a festive ribbon as a charming gift. You could also sandwich two cookies together with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent holiday treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will remain fresh and chewy for up to three days. Keeping them sealed properly helps retain moisture and prevent the mix-ins from getting stale.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Simply portion the dough, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To revive the fresh-baked feel, warm cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees for 5-7 minutes. This will soften the cookies and re-melt the chocolate chips slightly, making them taste freshly made.

FAQs

Can I substitute ingredients in the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While the original mix-ins create the perfect combination of sweet and salty, feel free to swap pretzels for nuts or add dried fruit to suit your preferences. Just keep the balance of flavors in mind for the best results.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

This recipe uses traditional all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking to make these cookies safe for gluten-sensitive friends or family.

How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and avoid overmixing the dough. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape and prevent excess spreading.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

With some careful substitutions—like using vegan butter, egg replacers, and vegan-friendly chocolates—you can make a delightful vegan version of this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe. Just be sure to check your mix-ins for any dairy or animal products.

What’s the best way to get chewy cookies?

Using light brown sugar contributes extra moisture, which helps keep cookies chewy. Baking toward the lower end of the suggested baking time and cooling on the baking sheet first also enhances that chewy center texture everyone loves.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe truly captures the spirit of the season by mixing up every sweet and savory delight into one unforgettable cookie. It’s a joy to make and an even bigger joy to share. I hope you give this recipe a try and create some festive memories around your kitchen table—you won’t regret it!

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