Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

If you’re ready to dive into a cookie recipe that’s bursting with flavor, texture, and holiday cheer, you’ve come to the right place! The Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is exactly what it sounds like: a delightful medley of everything good you can toss into a cookie. From melty white chocolate to salty pretzels, crispy potato chips, and festive sprinkles, these cookies have it all. When I first tried this, I was hooked because the combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy beats any plain cookie hands down. Keep reading, because I’m sharing everything you need to nail this festive treat every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

To get this cookie just right, you want a mix of quality ingredients—things that balance taste and texture perfectly. Pro tip: using vanilla bean paste instead of extract adds subtle depth that I didn’t expect but now can’t live without!

• Salted butter: Softened butter helps create the ideal texture; no substitutes here for best flavor.
• Light brown sugar: Packed tightly for moisture and a slight caramel undertone.
• Granulated white sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with crisp edges.
• Egg yolks: Adds richness and a chewy texture; use room temperature for better mixing.
• Vanilla bean paste or extract: Vanilla bean paste gives those pretty specks and a deeper flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Make sure to measure properly (spoon and level) to avoid dry cookies.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just right without puffing too much.
• Baking soda: Adds some lightness and tenderness.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing other flavors.
• Red and green M&M’s: For festive color and chocolate surprise in every bite.
• White chocolate chips: Adds creaminess and contrast.
• Pretzel pieces: Bring crunch and a salty kick.
• Potato chip pieces: Yes, really! They add this unexpected crunch and saltiness that make the cookies extra special.
• Red and green jimmies: Festive sprinkles for that final holiday touch.

Variations

I love that this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe invites you to play around. Sometimes I swap in chopped nuts or dark chocolate chunks, and other times I leave out the chips when I only want a sweeter bite. It’s super forgiving to personal tweaks, so feel free to make this cookie truly yours.

• Nut Swap: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives a lovely earthy crunch that my family loves.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter; just expect a slight texture shift.
• Extra Chocolatey: Add mini semi-sweet chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top after baking.
• Spiced Up: Toss in a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for an extra cozy holiday vibe.

How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pans Ready

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This setup is important because parchment ensures the cookies bake evenly without sticking, and prepping early saves time once your dough is mixed.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, add softened salted butter, light brown sugar, and white granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer to cream them together for about two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key – good creaming means your cookies will have better texture and rise beautifully.

Step 3: Add the Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Next, add your two egg yolks (make sure they’re at room temperature!) and vanilla bean paste or extract. Mix on medium speed for another two minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This little extra beating adds air into the dough, so don’t skip it!

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

To the wet mixture, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to over-mix—you want to stop as soon as the flour disappears to keep those cookies tender, not tough.

Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins

This is the best part! Gently fold in your red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and festive sprinkles with a spatula until just combined. Don’t stir aggressively; you want to keep those chunks intact for perfect texture.

Step 6: Scoop and Optional Extras

Scoop the dough into roughly 20 balls, spacing them about two inches apart on your parchment-lined sheets. If you want cookies that look as cute as mine, sprinkle a few extra M&M’s, sprinkles, or chips right on top of each dough ball before baking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes. If you prefer chewier centers, aim for 10 minutes; for crisper edges, push it to 12. As soon as they come out, you can take an extra step by swirling a large circular cookie cutter around each one—this neat trick shapes the cookies into perfect rounds by gently pressing everything together.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes; this helps them firm up without breaking. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool another 10 minutes before enjoying, unless you’re like me and grab one while still warm (totally worth it!).

How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking to amplify the sweet and salty contrast even more. Sometimes, a drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate gives it an elegant finishing touch — makes these a great gift too!

Side Dishes

While these cookies really shine on their own, I like pairing them with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa to warm up those chilly holiday evenings. They’re also a festive addition to cookie platters alongside some gingerbread or peppermint bark.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to present them stacked in a clear glass jar layered with red and green tissue paper, tied with a rustic ribbon for a cozy, homemade vibe. Or arrange them on a colorful platter with mini ornaments and pine sprigs for that extra festive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The cookies stay fresh for about three days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually put a slice of bread in the container to keep them soft—trust me, it works wonders!

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies or the cookie dough itself. For dough, scoop balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. This is a lifesaver for last-minute holiday treats.

Reheating

To freshen up frozen or leftover cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. It revives that perfect chewy texture I love.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is truly one of my favorite holiday discoveries. The playful mix of textures and flavors, combined with the festive look, makes it a guaranteed hit whether you’re baking for parties, gifts, or simply indulging at home. I love sharing this recipe with friends because everyone ends up reminiscing about their favorite part of the cookies—whether it’s the salty crunch or the pockets of melty chocolate. I promise, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to this recipe year after year. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake some magic this season!

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