Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

If you’ve ever wanted one cookie that has it all—sweet, salty, colorful, and totally irresistible—I have the perfect recipe for you. This Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is exactly that kind of cookie. It’s like every delicious snack and sprinkle you can think of gets tossed into one dough ball. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out: chewy centers, crispy edges, and a surprise in every bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be grabbing for more.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work so well together because you’re balancing creamy, crunchy, salty, and sweet elements that deliver a cookie with layers of texture and flavor. When shopping, aim for quality butter and fresh mix-ins to make your cookies shine.

• Salted butter: Using salted butter adds just the right amount of savoriness—no need to salt separately.
• Light brown sugar: It brings moisture and a slight caramel note for that chewy cookie texture.
• Granulated white sugar: Adds crispness to the cookie edges and balances out the brown sugar’s moisture.
• Egg yolks: I use yolks only for a richer, more tender cookie. Make sure they’re at room temperature for easiest mixing.
• Vanilla bean paste or extract: A must for that warm, inviting aroma.
• All-purpose flour: Measure carefully—you want just the right amount for perfect cookies.
• Baking powder & baking soda: These work together for lightness and good rise.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Red and green M&M’s: For festive color and a hit of chocolaty crunch.
• White chocolate chips: Their creamy sweetness complements the M&M’s perfectly.
• Pretzel pieces: Provide a salty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the sweet elements.
• Potato chip pieces: Adds an unexpected but amazing salty twist.
• Red and green jimmies: Sprinkles just make everything feel more festive and fun!

Variations

One of the best parts about the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is how customizable it is. I love mixing up the ingredients depending on what I have on hand or what my family is craving.

• Mix-Ins Swap: Sometimes I swap out the M&M’s for mini peanut butter cups or add chopped nuts for extra crunch—my family loves this twist.
• Allergy-Friendly: To make it nut-free or dairy-free, I switch to dairy-free butter and skip nuts or chocolate with nuts.
• Holiday Themes: For Valentine’s Day, I use pink and red candies and sprinkles; for other seasons, I pick colors that fit the decor.
• Gluten-Free: I’ve experimented with a gluten-free flour blend, and while the texture changes a bit, they still taste fantastic.

How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

First, make sure you start with softened butter—not melted. That’s the trick to getting a creamy, fluffy batter. Using an electric mixer, beat the salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about two minutes until it’s pale and fluffy. This step is key because it traps air, helping your cookies rise nicely.

Step 2: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Add the egg yolks and vanilla bean paste (or extract) and mix on medium speed for another two minutes. I love this part because the dough starts to look pale and fluffy, promising tender, rich cookies that everyone will swoon over.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix these into your wet ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix here—once the flour is incorporated, you’re ready for the fun part.

Step 4: Fold in the Mix-Ins

Now you get to add all those goodies that make this the best Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe ever: red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip bits, and the festive jimmies. Gently fold everything with a spatula so the goodies are evenly distributed, but don’t overdo it and crush them.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Scoop about 20 cookie dough balls and place them two inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. I like to press a few extra mix-ins on top of the dough balls—this isn’t required but makes the cookies look extra special and festive. Bake in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. I usually go for 10 minutes if I want chewier cookies, and 12 for crispy edges.

Step 6: Shape and Cool

Right after baking, while the cookies are still warm, I use a large circular cookie cutter, swirling it gently around each cookie. This step is my secret to perfect round shapes and helps push all the mix-ins towards the center—a look that always impresses guests. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack for another 10. This cooling time helps them set perfectly.

How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a sprinkle of extra red and green jimmies on top before baking to add that festive sparkle. Sometimes, I dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy effect when serving at holiday parties.

Side Dishes

These cookies are rich and flavorful, so I love pairing them with a tall glass of milk or a cozy cup of hot cocoa. A simple scoop of vanilla ice cream turns them into an unforgettable dessert, especially after a holiday meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I arrange these cookies neatly in a festive tin layered with parchment paper and tie a bow around it. For parties, I love stacking them on a tiered cookie platter or inside a glass jar to show off all those colorful mix-ins.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for up to three days. To keep them from getting soft, I separate layers with parchment paper.

Freezing

If you want to freeze cookies, I recommend freezing the dough balls on a sheet first, then transferring them to a freezer bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies anytime. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container, and they thaw beautifully.

Reheating

To revive stored cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave briefly for a warm, melty treat. This trick brings back that fresh-baked feel and keeps the different textures pronounced.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it turns cookie baking into a fun, creative experience. It’s perfect for bringing the family together during the holidays, and everyone ends up with smiles (and full plates!). You don’t really need a reason to make these, but Christmas is definitely the best excuse. So go ahead, experiment with your favorite mix-ins, have fun in the kitchen, and enjoy every delicious bite. Trust me, these cookies are going to be your new holiday staple!

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