Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

If you’re looking for a cookie that brings joy and festivity to your holiday celebrations, you’ve come to the right place! These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a delightful mix of sweet and salty goodness. They’re packed with colorful M&M’s, creamy white chocolate chips, crunchy pretzels, and flavorful potato chip pieces. Trust me; they will be the star of your dessert table this season!

What I love most about these cookies is how easy they are to whip up. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or just treating yourself after a busy week, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Plus, they’re so fun to make with kids—everyone can add their favorite mix-ins!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to prepare: With just a few simple steps, you’ll be enjoying warm cookies in no time!
• Family-friendly appeal: Kids love the colorful mix-ins, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.
• Make-ahead convenience: Prepare the dough ahead of time and bake fresh cookies whenever you need them!
• Delicious flavor: The combination of sweet chocolates and salty snacks creates an irresistible taste everyone will adore.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, you’ll only need some simple and wholesome ingredients that you probably already have at home. Let’s gather what we need!

For the Cookie Dough

• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Mix-Ins

• 1/2 cup red and green M&M’s
• 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup pretzel pieces
• 1/3 cup potato chip pieces
• 2 tbsp red and green jimmies

Variations

One of the best things about these cookies is their flexibility. You can easily swap out ingredients or add new ones based on your preferences!

• Change up the chocolates: Use dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a different flavor profile.
• Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans can add a nice crunch and nutty flavor.
• Try different sprinkles: Use themed sprinkles for other holidays or just your favorite colors to make them special.
• Make it gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for delicious gluten-free cookies.

How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly from start to finish. While the oven heats up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, combine the softened salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream these together for about two minutes until it’s fluffy and light in color. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the mixture, giving your cookies that soft texture we all love!

Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Now it’s time to mix in those egg yolks along with your vanilla bean paste or extract. Beat on medium speed for another two minutes until everything is well combined and fluffy. The eggs help bind everything together while adding richness to the dough.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

Next, sift in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into your mixture. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix! This helps ensure you end up with soft cookies rather than tough ones.

Step 5: Fold in Those Delicious Mix-Ins

Gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and sprinkles using a spatula. It’s important to do this slowly so that you don’t break up any of those crunchy bits!

Step 6: Scoop Your Dough

Using a cookie scoop (or two spoons), scoop out dough balls—aiming for about 20 balls total—and place them on your prepared baking sheets about two inches apart.

Step 7: Optional Topping

If you’d like your cookies to look extra festive (and who wouldn’t?), consider adding some extra mix-ins on top of each scooped dough ball. It makes them look so cute!

Step 8: Bake Away!

Pop those trays into your preheated oven! Bake for about 10-12 minutes—10 minutes will give you chewy centers while 12 minutes will give you crisper edges.

Step 9: Shape Them Up (Optional)

As soon as they come out of the oven, grab a large circular cookie cutter and swirl it around each cookie while they’re still warm to give them a perfect shape if you desire.

Step 10: Cool Down Time

Let your cookies cool on the baking sheets for about five minutes before transferring them onto a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely—if you can wait that long!

Step 11: Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days (if they last that long!). Enjoy every bite of these delightful Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies!

Pro Tips for Making Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Baking these delightful cookies is a fun and rewarding experience, and with a few simple tips, you can make them even better!

• Use room temperature ingredients – Allowing your butter and egg yolks to reach room temperature ensures they mix more thoroughly, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cookie dough.
• Don’t overmix the dough – Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of the tender texture we all love.
• Experiment with mix-ins – Feel free to customize your cookies with different toppings like nuts or dried fruit. This gives you a chance to personalize each batch and try new flavors.
• Chill the dough – If you have time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can enhance the texture and flavor of your cookies. It helps them keep their shape while baking!
• Check for doneness carefully – Remember that cookies will continue to bake slightly after being removed from the oven. Aim for a light golden color at the edges for perfect chewy centers.

How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

These cookies are perfect for sharing during the holiday season! Presenting them beautifully can elevate any gathering or celebration.

Garnishes

• Sprinkle some sea salt on top – A pinch of flaky sea salt adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the cookies.
• Add festive icing drizzle – A simple white icing drizzle can add an elegant touch that makes them look extra special.

Side Dishes

• Hot cocoa – Nothing pairs better with cookies than a warm cup of hot cocoa! The rich chocolate flavor complements the sweet and salty notes in your cookies perfectly.
• Coffee or tea – A nice cup of coffee or herbal tea is an excellent choice for balancing out the sweetness while providing a cozy atmosphere during dessert time.
• Fruit platter – Fresh fruits, such as apples or berries, offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cookies and make for a well-rounded dessert spread.
• Ice cream sundae bar – For those who want to indulge further, set up an ice cream sundae bar where guests can top their warm cookies with scoops of ice cream and their favorite toppings.

With these tips and serving ideas, your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies will surely be a hit during your holiday celebrations! Enjoy every bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are fantastic for meal prep, making them a delightful treat to have on hand during the busy holiday season. You can easily make a batch ahead of time and store them for later enjoyment.

Storing Leftovers

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
• They will stay fresh for up to three days.
• If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing as outlined below.

Freezing

• Allow cookies to cool completely before freezing.
• Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
• Once frozen, transfer cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper.
• They can be frozen for up to three months.

Reheating

• To enjoy warm cookies again, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Place the cookies on a baking sheet and heat for about 5 minutes or until warmed through.
• Alternatively, you can microwave individual cookies for about 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

Here are some common questions about these delightful cookies:

Can I make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies without egg yolks?

Yes! You can substitute the two egg yolks with 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce or 1/4 cup of mashed bananas as an egg replacement.

How do I customize my Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?

Feel free to swap out the M&M’s for your favorite chocolate candies or use different types of chips like dark chocolate or butterscotch. You can also change up the mix-ins with nuts or dried fruits!

What makes these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies so special?

The combination of sweet and salty elements from pretzels and potato chips, along with festive colors from M&M’s and sprinkles, makes these cookies not only delicious but visually appealing too!

Final Thoughts

I hope you find joy in baking these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies! They’re perfect for sharing during the holidays or keeping all to yourself. Each bite is a delightful mix of flavors that captures the spirit of the season. Enjoy making them, and don’t forget to let me know how they turn out!