These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the epitome of holiday indulgence, combining a delightful mix of sweet and salty flavors. Each bite offers a festive explosion of red and green M&M’s, creamy white chocolate chips, crunchy pretzel bits, and crispy potato chip pieces, all nestled within a soft, chewy cookie base.
Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a homemade gift, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. The combination of textures and flavors ensures they’ll be a standout addition to your festive baking repertoire, bringing joy and satisfaction to all who taste them.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (168 g) salted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (100 g) red and green M&M’s
- ⅓ cup (66 g) white chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup (22 g) pretzel pieces
- ⅓ cup (20 g) potato chip pieces
- 2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until the mixture is pale in color and fluffy, approximately 1-2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined.
- Gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and sprinkles using a rubber spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a large cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), portion the dough into balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. For a festive touch, press a few extra mix-ins on top of each dough ball (optional).
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. For chewier centers, bake closer to 10 minutes; for crisper edges, aim for 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes | Total Time: 25-27 minutes
Kcal: Approximately 150 kcal per cookie | Servings: 20 cookies
Recipe Origin and Inspiration
The name “kitchen sink cookies” comes from the idea of adding just about everything into the dough—everything but the kitchen sink! This concept allows for maximum creativity and makes these cookies highly customizable. The Christmas version is inspired by holiday flavors and colors, incorporating festive red and green M&M’s, sprinkles, and a mix of sweet and salty ingredients to create the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
This recipe is ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie swaps, or as edible gifts packaged in festive boxes or jars. It’s a fun, playful treat designed to use pantry staples while celebrating the holiday season.
Tips for Customization
- Chocolate Options: Swap white chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate chips for a richer flavor. You can also add peanut butter chips for a nutty twist.
- Crunchy Add-Ins: Substitute pretzels with crushed graham crackers, cereal, or nuts like pecans or almonds for a different texture.
- Salty Sweet Balance: For extra saltiness, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of each cookie before baking.
- Seasonal Variations: Use pastel-colored candies for Easter or rainbow sprinkles for birthdays, making the recipe suitable for any occasion.
- Vegan-Friendly Adaptation: Replace butter with vegan margarine and use flax eggs instead of egg yolks to create a plant-based version.
Storage and Shelf Life
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to keep them soft and chewy.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place them directly on a baking sheet and add 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.
- Pre-Baked Freezing: You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Pairing Suggestions
These cookies are perfect when served with a tall glass of milk, a warm cup of hot chocolate, or a holiday-themed latte like peppermint mocha. They also pair wonderfully with eggnog or spiced cider, making them the ultimate holiday treat.
Fun Facts
- The combination of sweet and salty flavors has been scientifically proven to be more satisfying and addictive, which is why these cookies are such a hit!
- Kitchen sink cookies gained popularity during the early 2000s as a creative solution for using up leftover baking ingredients.
- Adding potato chips might sound unconventional, but their crunch complements the cookie’s chewiness, providing a unique texture.
History and Popularity
The concept of “kitchen sink” cookies originated as a clever way to use up leftover pantry items, turning them into an indulgent dessert. These cookies gained popularity for their versatility and ability to combine contrasting flavors and textures into one bite.
The Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies take this idea and infuse it with holiday cheer by incorporating red and green M&M’s, festive sprinkles, and sweet and salty mix-ins like pretzels and potato chips. This recipe quickly became a favorite for holiday cookie exchanges and baking marathons because of its colorful, fun, and festive appearance.
Key Features of This Recipe
- Sweet and Salty Balance: The blend of chocolate chips, candies, and sprinkles adds sweetness, while pretzels and potato chips provide a crunchy, salty contrast.
- Customizable Ingredients: Bakers can swap out mix-ins based on preferences or what they have available in their pantry, making this a versatile recipe.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appearance: The red and green colors make these cookies stand out during Christmas gatherings, making them perfect for gifting and sharing.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: The dough comes together in minutes and doesn’t require chilling, making it ideal for busy holiday schedules.
- Kid-Friendly Activity: Kids love helping with this recipe, from mixing in the fun ingredients to decorating each cookie before baking.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the butter and egg yolks are at room temperature for even mixing and a smoother dough.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tougher cookies. Stir in mix-ins gently to avoid breaking pretzels and chips.
- Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform sizes for even baking.
- Press Mix-Ins on Top: For a more festive look, press extra M&M’s and pretzel pieces into the tops of the dough balls before baking.
- Softer Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven as soon as the edges are golden but the centers still look soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool.
How to Gift These Cookies
These cookies make great edible gifts during the holidays. Package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons, or layer them in festive cookie tins with parchment paper between layers. You can also pair them with hot cocoa mix or homemade caramel sauce for a thoughtful gift basket.
Holiday Baking Ideas
If you’re planning a baking day, these cookies pair wonderfully with other festive treats like:
- Gingerbread Men Cookies – Classic and spiced for the season.
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark – A no-bake treat perfect for gifting.
- Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes) – Buttery and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Sugar Cookie Cutouts – Fun for decorating with the kids.
Make-Ahead Tips
Dough Preparation: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Let it soften slightly at room temperature before scooping and baking.
Freezing Dough: Shape the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer bag for storage. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Baked Cookie Storage: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie):
- Calories: ~150 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
Conclusion
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a fun, festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie swaps, or gifting. Their sweet and salty flavors, combined with colorful mix-ins, make them a crowd-pleaser.
Quick to prepare and easy to customize, these cookies are ideal for busy holiday schedules. Whether baking with kids or creating a thoughtful gift, they’re sure to bring joy and festive cheer to any occasion!