Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a delightful medley of flavors and textures, perfect for holiday celebrations. These cookies feature a mix of sweet, salty, and festive ingredients, making every bite an exciting surprise. Whether youโre hosting a party or looking for a treat to share, these cookies are a show-stopping addition to your dessert table.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Packed with festive flavors that everyone will enjoy.
- Customizable with your favorite mix-ins.
- Perfect for holiday gifting or cookie exchanges.
- Easy to make in one bowl, saving you time during the busy season.
- Combines sweet and salty flavors for a balanced, addictive treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: Youโll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Chocolate chips
- Pretzels (crushed)
- Festive red and green candy-coated chocolates
- Sea salt flakes (optional, for sprinkling)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a larger bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, and candy-coated chocolates.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sea salt flakes if desired. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
Variations
- Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch.
- White Chocolate Swap: Replace regular chocolate chips with white chocolate for a different flavor profile.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies suitable for everyone.
- Coconut Addition: Mix in shredded coconut for a tropical holiday twist.
- Dried Fruit: Incorporate dried cranberries or cherries for a tangy kick.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven experience.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
2. Can I substitute salted butter for unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.
3. How do I keep the cookies chewy?
Avoid overbaking and store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.
4. Can I omit the pretzels?
Yes, you can leave them out or replace them with another mix-in like nuts or granola.
5. How do I crush pretzels without making a mess?
Place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
6. Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate adds a richer flavor to the cookies.
7. What type of candy-coated chocolates work best?
Red and green holiday-themed chocolates work great, but you can use any type you prefer.
8. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading.
9. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double all the ingredients. You may need to bake in batches.
10. Why are my cookies too dry?
Ensure youโre measuring flour correctly and avoid overmixing the dough.
Conclusion
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. With their customizable mix-ins and irresistible combination of sweet and salty, theyโre sure to be a hit with family and friends. Whether youโre baking for a party, gifting to loved ones, or simply treating yourself, these cookies will bring joy to any occasion. Happy baking!
Print
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These cookies are a festive blend of red and green M&Mโs, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chips, and sprinkles, offering a delightful mix of sweet and salty flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup red and green M&Mโs
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup pretzel pieces
- 1/3 cup potato chip pieces
- 2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles (jimmies)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets:
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
- Using an electric mixer, cream the mixture on medium speed for about 2 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the bowl.
- Continue mixing on medium speed for another 2 minutes until the mixture is pale in color and well combined.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Fold in the Mix-ins:
- Gently fold in the M&Mโs, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and sprinkles using a spatula.
- Ensure that the mix-ins are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Portion the Dough:
- Scoop the dough into approximately 20 equal-sized balls.
- Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- For chewier centers, aim for the shorter baking time; for crisper edges, bake a bit longer.
- Cool the Cookies:
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Measuring Flour:ย To ensure accuracy, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this can lead to using too much flour.
- Shaping Cookies:ย For perfectly round cookies, use a large circular cookie cutter to gently reshape them immediately after baking. Place the cutter around the cookie and gently swirl it to form a circle.
- Additional Mix-ins:ย Feel free to customize the mix-ins to your preference. Options include butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, chopped nuts, or different types of chocolate chips.
- Storage:ย Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *