Kitchen Sink Cookies – Sweet, Salty, and Absolutely Irresistible Christmas Treats

Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate holiday mash-up of everything delicious—sweet, salty, chewy, and crisp. Each bite bursts with chocolate, pretzels, and colorful M&M’s. These cookies bring joy to every cookie tray and are perfect for last-minute baking since there’s no dough chilling required. Whether you crave something fun for Christmas movie nights or want to impress friends with a cookie that has it all, these easy treats are your new go-to. Plus, the mix of textures makes every batch irresistible.

What Are Kitchen Sink Cookies?

Kitchen Sink Cookies got their name from the phrase “everything but the kitchen sink.” They’re loaded with all sorts of goodies—M&M’s, chocolate chips, pretzels, potato chips, and sprinkles. The fun part is their flexibility; you can toss in whatever mix-ins you have at home. These cookies are chewy in the center, crisp around the edges, and full of festive crunch in every bite. They’re basically a cookie dream come true for anyone who loves a little chaos in their dessert.

Why They’re Perfect for Christmas Baking

These cookies shine during Christmas baking because they’re colorful, crowd-pleasing, and effortless to make. The red and green M&M’s and sprinkles add instant holiday charm. Plus, they stay soft for days, making them perfect for gifting or cookie exchanges. Since you can customize the add-ins, each batch feels fresh and festive—no two are exactly alike, which keeps things fun in the kitchen.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy—just pantry staples and a few festive extras. The mix of butter, sugar, and flour builds a soft base, while the M&M’s, white chocolate, pretzels, and chips bring texture and flavor. Each ingredient adds its own magic, creating the perfect balance between sweet and salty. These cookies prove that baking can be simple, creative, and delicious all at once.

Base Ingredients for the Dough

Softened butter and a mix of brown and granulated sugar give the dough its signature chewy texture. Egg yolks make the cookies rich, while vanilla brings that cozy aroma. The combo of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt ensures structure without heaviness, giving that perfect golden edge every cookie lover dreams about.

Sweet and Salty Mix-Ins for Holiday Flavor

The star of the show is the mix-ins—red and green M&M’s for color, white chocolate chips for creamy sweetness, and pretzel pieces for crunch. Crushed potato chips add a playful saltiness that keeps these cookies from being too sweet. Finally, red and green sprinkles tie everything together with a festive sparkle that screams Christmas.

Optional Swaps and Add-Ins

Want to mix things up? Swap in butterscotch or peanut butter chips for white chocolate, or toss in chopped nuts for an extra crunch. You can even mix dark and milk chocolate chips for more depth. The beauty of Kitchen Sink Cookies is that there are no strict rules—just fun flavor combinations.

How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookies Step-by-Step

This recipe is simple, quick, and forgiving—perfect for busy holiday baking sessions. Here’s how to bring your Kitchen Sink Cookies to life in just a few easy steps.

Preparing the Dough Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat butter with both sugars until light and fluffy. This step creates the base for chewy cookies. Add the egg yolks and vanilla, then beat again until the mix turns pale and creamy. Next, slowly blend in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything is just combined.

Folding in the Mix-Ins

Once your dough is ready, switch to a spatula and gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chips, and sprinkles. Don’t overmix—it’s okay if the dough looks slightly uneven. The goal is to keep the mix-ins intact for that perfect bite of crunch and color.

Shaping and Baking the Cookies

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. If you’d like picture-perfect cookies, press a few extra M&M’s or chips on top before baking. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on how chewy or crisp you want them. Keep an eye on the edges—they should turn golden brown.

Cooling, Reshaping, and Finishing Touches

Right after baking, you can use a round cookie cutter to gently shape each cookie into a neat circle. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once cooled, they’ll be soft, chewy, and full of texture. Sprinkle a few extra festive toppings if you want extra sparkle.

Baking Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor

Getting that bakery-style cookie at home isn’t hard—it just takes a few tricks. With these tips, your Kitchen Sink Cookies will bake up soft, chewy, and perfectly golden every time.

Measuring Ingredients Correctly

Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off. Too much flour leads to dense cookies. For accuracy, you can weigh it—125 grams per cup. The right balance of wet and dry ingredients is key for that soft, chewy texture.

Achieving Chewy vs. Crispy Results

For chewy cookies, bake for 10 minutes and let them cool on the sheet. For crispier edges, bake closer to 12 minutes. Every oven differs, so start checking early. The centers should still look a bit soft when you pull them out—they’ll firm up as they cool.

Enhancing Appearance with Toppings

Before baking, press a few colorful M&M’s or sprinkles on top of each dough ball. This not only boosts their festive look but also helps you showcase all those fun mix-ins. A touch of flaky salt on top adds a gourmet twist that highlights the sweet-salty combo beautifully.

Storage, Make-Ahead, and Freezing Guide

These cookies store well and freeze beautifully, so you can bake ahead for the holidays. Whether you make the dough or the cookies in advance, they’ll stay fresh and tasty.

Short-Term Storage Tips

Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To keep them soft, store a slice of bread inside the container—it helps maintain moisture.

Refrigerating or Freezing Dough

Unbaked dough can be refrigerated for three days or frozen for up to two weeks. When ready to bake, let chilled dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes so it’s easier to scoop.

Freezing Baked Cookies

Freeze baked cookies in layers between parchment paper. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes or warm them briefly in the oven for that fresh-baked aroma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Recipes to Try

• Chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
• Soft and chewy pumpkin cookies
• Cinnamon roll cookies recipe
• Halloween chocolate chip cookies
• Crumbl pecan pie cookie recipe
• Peanut butter cookies easy recipe

Conclusion

Kitchen Sink Cookies are fun, festive, and endlessly customizable. They’re the kind of cookie that makes your kitchen smell like Christmas magic. Whether you bake them for a cookie swap or just for fun, every batch brings joy with its mix of crunch, chew, and color. Try experimenting with new add-ins and share your creations with friends—or find even more cozy baking ideas on Pinterest.

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