Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

If you’re someone who loves a little bit of everything in their cookie—think sweet, salty, crunchy, and colorful—then I’ve got just the treat for you. The Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is like a festive explosion of textures and flavors all rolled into one seriously addictive cookie. I absolutely love how these cookies come together, and trust me, once you try them, you’ll keep reaching for just one more (okay, maybe two or three!). They’re perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, baking with kiddos, or just a cozy snack by the fire.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

What’s great about this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is how each ingredient plays a part in building those layers of flavor and texture—from the creamy butter base to the surprise crunch of potato chips. When shopping, pick good-quality mix-ins for best taste and keep those chips fresh for crunch.

• Salted Butter: Softened to room temperature, this creates a rich base and helps your cookies spread just right.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a caramel-like depth that balances the sweetness.
• Granulated White Sugar: Helps with crisp edges and overall sweetness.
• Egg Yolks: I like using yolks only for a chewier, more tender cookie texture.
• Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: A little extra vanilla always amps up the flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Spoon and level it for accurate measuring—don’t scoop directly!
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Both help the cookies rise and get that perfect texture.
• Salt: Salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Red and Green M&M’s: Adds holiday color and chocolatey crunch.
• White Chocolate Chips: For pockets of creamy sweetness that melt in your mouth.
• Pretzel Pieces: Brings salty crunch and a fun twist.
• Potato Chip Pieces: Sounds wild, but trust me, that salty crunch is magic!
• Red and Green Jimmies (sprinkles): Because holidays mean a little sparkle and fun on top.

Variations

I love that this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe invites you to play around with what you have on hand. Sometimes I swap out mix-ins depending on the mood or pantry necessities, and you can totally customize to your family’s favorites or dietary preferences.

• Mix-in Swap: I once swapped the white chocolate chips for butterscotch chips for a warm, cozy flavor twist—my family went crazy for that version.
• Dietary Adjustments: For a gluten-free version, using your favorite gluten-free flour blend works beautifully without compromising texture.
• Add Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a great crunchy contrast if you’re a nut fan.
• Chocolate Lovers: Add miniature peanut butter cups or dark chocolate chunks for an extra indulgence.

How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. Then, grab a large bowl and your electric mixer to cream together the softened salted butter with light brown sugar and granulated sugar. I like to do this for about two minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy—it really makes a difference in the cookie’s texture later on.

Step 2: Incorporate Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Next, add in your two egg yolks and vanilla bean paste or extract. Beat on medium speed for another two minutes. This step helps in getting a pale, creamy mix that ensures your cookies will come out tender and flavorful, not flat or dry.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until everything is combined. Over-mixing at this stage can make your cookies tough, so gentle folding is key.

Step 4: Fold in All Those Goodies

Now comes the fun part—folding in your M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and festive red and green sprinkles. Don’t rush this part; gently fold so your cookie dough stays soft and the mix-ins stay intact without breaking too much.

Step 5: Scoop, Bake, and Shape

Scoop the dough into twenty roughly even balls and place them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. If you want, sprinkle a few extra mix-ins on top of each cookie dough ball—this little extra touch makes your cookies look just like those perfect holiday treats you see in pictures. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes—10 minutes if you want a chewier center, or 12 for crisper edges.

Here’s a neat trick I discovered: right after you take the cookies out of the oven, use a large circular cookie cutter to gently swirl around each cookie, pushing the mix-ins together. This gives you a perfect circle every time and makes them look as festive as they taste.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack for another 10 minutes to finish cooling. Patience here really pays off!

How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually add a few extra colored sprinkles or a mini candy cane on the side when I’m serving these at parties—it just amps up the festive vibe. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar makes them feel extra special, especially for a holiday cookie platter.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of eggnog, mulled cider, or simply a glass of cold milk—perfect to balance the salty sweetness. For brunch, I’ve also enjoyed them alongside cinnamon-spiced coffee or hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I packaged these cookies in festive clear bags tied with red and green ribbons and added a small handwritten tag with the recipe—everyone at the office loved this gift. You can also arrange them in layers separated with parchment paper in a cookie tin for a beautiful holiday gift or party centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually last up to three days, and I’ve found they stay soft and flavorful during that time—if you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies both baked and unbaked. For baked cookies, layer them with parchment in a freezer-safe container. For dough, scoop balls onto a sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. This is super handy when you want to bake fresh cookies on demand during the holidays!

Reheating

When I’m ready to enjoy leftovers, I gently warm cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to regain that just-baked softness (microwaving works too but can make cookies a bit rubbery). This trick always refreshes the cookies perfectly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I have to say, the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe has become a holiday staple in my home. There’s something so satisfying about a cookie that surprises you with every bite and brings a bit of festive fun to the table. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do—don’t be afraid to get creative with your “sink” ingredients and make the recipe your own. Happy baking and even happier eating!

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