Have you tried these kitchen sink Christmas cookies yet? A homemade cookie that is sweet, salty, and bursting with all the flavors. A chocolate chip cookie base stuffed full of potato chips, pretzels, M&M’s, chocolate chips, and more.
These are fully loaded Christmas cookies that will dress up any platter, but also they scream Christmas time with one glance. Make sure to check out my other easy Christmas cookie recipes for more dessert ideas. These Christmas pudding cookies are so moist and flavorful. My bear paw cookies win over kids instantly! Or my elegant eggnog thumbprint cookies are always asked for.
What Are Kitchen Sink Cookies?
Kitchen sink cookies are a name of a cookie that is loaded with a bunch of ingredients. Meaning that everything but the kitchen sink is inside the cookie. It is an older term but you will find many know it is a sweet and savory cookie bursting with flavor.
Depending on the recipe will depend on what is going to be found inside. Everything but the kitchen sink cookies are always so popular.
Reasons To Make These Loaded Christmas Cookies
- A sweet and salty cookie that is completely made from scratch.
- Can’t decide on what flavor of cookie to make? Why not make a cookie recipe that has ALL the ingredients in one?
- A fun cookie that will leave everyone trying to guess what all is inside these heavenly cookies.
- Kid-friendly, let the little ones help mix up and scoop up the cookie dough.
- A holiday cookie that is festive and fun.
Ingredients
Butter – Butter is one ingredient that really transforms the flavor and texture of the cookie. Unsalted butter is what I recommend.
Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar– Both are used to create the perfect flavor of these soft-baked cookies.
Egg – The binder helps all the ingredients stick together perfectly.
Flour – Unbleached flour is what I used for the flour in the cookie recipe. Measure properly to ensure you do not get too much or too little flour in the cookie dough.
Salt and Baking Soda – Reach for salt and baking soda for mixing in the cookie dough for flavor and texture. Both are essential.
Mix-ins – White chocolate chips, crushed potato chips, M&M’s, pretzels, and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top is optional.
Expert Tip: Also, learn my popular expert tips on how to prevent cookies from spreading too much as they bake in the oven! This is a great read for bakers.
Variations to Recipe
Here is a list of different items to add or swap in for the kitchen sink mix-in items and ingredients. Have fun and play around with ingredients to find the perfect cookie recipe.
- Rolled Oats
- Milk, Dark, or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Chopped Chocolate Candy Bars
- Heath Toffee Bits
- Butterfinger Crumbles
- Dried Fruit
- Nuts
- Caramel Bits
- Butterscotch Chips
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Shredded Coconut
- Pumpkin or Sunflower Seeds
- Mini Marshmallows
- Crushed Graham Crackers
- Peanuts
- Orange Zest
- Espresso Powder or Instant Coffee
- Etc.
Essentially you can stuff these cookies with almost anything. Have fun and create one-of-a-kind cookies!
Tips for Success
Prep Baking Sheet
Line the baking sheet with either parchment paper or even a silicone baking mat. This is going to create a non-stick surface to help ensure the cookies do not stick when you have to remove them from the pan.
Let Cookies Cool For A Few Minutes on the Baking Sheet
One tip I learned is to allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 3-5 minutes before you try to remove them. This is going to help the cookies to hold shape and not fall apart. If you try to remove them right away they are extra soft since they are so hot from being in the oven.
Mix In Ingredients
Don’t add the chips and pretzels and such until the very end. If you were to add the ingredients into the batter they will break down a lot and become soggy. So these items are meant to be added at the end.
Cookie Scoop
I can’t stress enough that using a cookie scoop allows for the same-sized cookies. This is going to help ensure all the cookies get baked evenly and finish at the same time.
Don’t Overmix the Cookie Dough
Make sure you do not overmix the cookie dough once you add in the dry ingredients into the cookie batter. If you overmix once the batter has the dry ingredients it will cause the cookies to become harder or denser.
Storing Cookies
These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. These cookies will store for 3-4 days, and then begin to dry out.
You may also freeze the cookies for 3-4 months. Just place the cookies in a freezer bag or freezer container. Store in the freezer and then eat a few when you get a craving for one. The chips and pretzels can soften just a bit once the cookie thaws after being frozen.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time and chill it?
Go right ahead and make and chill the cookie dough for up to 2-3 days in the fridge. Mix and then store in a sealed container. I like to wrap it in plastic wrap before I place it in the container. Then scoop up, and then top with the pretzels, chips, etc. You don’t want to store the items in the cookie dough as it will cause them to soften.
What is the key to making good kitchen sink cookies?
The secret or key is balancing the sweet and salty in the cookie. You want a good balance of flavors so with each bite you get a mix of flavors.
How do I prevent kitchen sink cookies from spreading too much?
If the cookie dough spreads too much as it bakes, I recommend making sure you chill the dough for 30 minutes in the fridge. Also, ensure you place cookies on a cool baking sheet. If you are placing cookie dough on a hot pan it can cause the cookies to spread more.
More Holiday Recipes
Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup unbleached flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed potato chips
- 1/2 cup holiday M&Ms
- 1/4 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, with a fork, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
- Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix well.
- Finally, mix in the white chocolate chips, crushed potato chips, M&Ms, and pretzels.
- Create 1 tablespoon cookie dough balls with a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop and place cookie dough balls about 2” apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add any extra chips, pretzels, M&Ms, or white chocolate chips to the top of the cookie balls before baking and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake cookies for 9 minutes or until the edges start to brown (do not over bake).
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
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