Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

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If you’re anything like me, your holiday baking list just keeps growing each year. But there’s one cookie I always make space for—my Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies. These are the cookies I bake when I want to throw in a bit of everything festive: red and green M&M’s, crushed pretzels, white chocolate chips, sprinkles, and yes, even potato chips. They’re chewy, salty, sweet, and bursting with that chaotic holiday joy we all secretly love.

I first whipped these up on a whim when I had leftover baking supplies and snacks scattered across the counter. I tossed them all into one buttery dough, crossed my fingers, and popped them in the oven. What came out was pure Christmas magic. The combination of textures and flavors is so satisfying, and now these cookies are a non-negotiable part of my holiday baking tradition.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

These cookies are unapologetically over-the-top, and that’s exactly the point. They offer a mix of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy in every bite. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and the colors make them look like Christmas exploded in the best possible way. Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, a party, or just want a festive treat to nibble on, these cookies are always a hit.

What Kind of Add-Ins Work Best in Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. I love to use holiday M&M’s for that pop of color, salty pretzels and potato chips for crunch, and white chocolate chips for a creamy sweetness. But you can really add whatever you love: crushed candy canes, toffee bits, or even mini marshmallows. The key is balancing sweet and salty while keeping the textures varied.

Options for Substitutions

Out of M&M’s? Use chopped chocolate bars instead. Don’t have pretzels? Try salted peanuts or cornflakes. You can use regular semi-sweet chips instead of white chocolate, or skip the chips altogether and load up on festive sprinkles. Gluten-free flour works well here too, as long as it’s a 1:1 blend. This recipe is super forgiving, so feel free to get creative with what you have in your pantry.

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Ingredients for These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and base of the cookie dough.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread evenly.
• Salt: Enhances the sweet and salty contrast.
• Unsalted butter: Creates that rich, tender texture. Use room temperature butter for easy creaming.
• Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Helps the cookies crisp slightly on the edges.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness.
• Vanilla extract: Deepens the overall flavor.
• Red and green M&M’s: Adds festive color and a candy crunch.
• White chocolate chips: Brings a creamy, sweet element.
• Mini pretzels (broken): Offers salty crunch and a fun texture.
• Crushed potato chips: Adds unexpected crispiness and salt.
• Holiday sprinkles: Gives extra color and a cheerful appearance.

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Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. This step makes sure your leavening is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes and creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Make sure everything is fully incorporated, scraping down the sides if needed.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed. Do not overmix—stop when the flour is just incorporated.

Step 6: Fold in the Add-Ins

Gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, potato chips, and holiday sprinkles. Save a few of each to press on top before baking for a beautiful presentation.

Step 7: Scoop and Chill (Optional)

Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon portions and place them on a prepared baking sheet. If you have time, chill the dough for 20-30 minutes to prevent spreading.

Step 8: Bake

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked. This keeps the cookies soft and chewy.

Step 9: Cool and Decorate

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. While still warm, gently press a few extra M&M’s or chips into the tops for a bakery-style finish.

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How Long to Prepare Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Prep Time: The prep time for these cookies is around 20 minutes. That includes mixing the dough, measuring out all the fun add-ins, and scooping the dough onto trays. If you opt to chill the dough (which I recommend), add another 20-30 minutes.

Baking Time: Each batch takes about 10–12 minutes to bake. Depending on your oven and the size of your cookies, it may vary slightly. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden, and the centers are still soft.

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Tips for Perfect Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

• Use room temperature butter for the perfect creamy base.
• Don’t skip chilling the dough if you want thicker cookies that don’t spread too much.
• Press extra toppings on top of each dough ball right before baking for a bakery-style look.
• Measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to avoid dense cookies.
• Let them cool on the tray for at least 5 minutes to prevent crumbling when you transfer them.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overmixing the dough can result in tough cookies.
• Using melted butter will cause the cookies to spread too much.
• Adding too many mix-ins can overwhelm the dough and lead to uneven baking.
• Skipping the parchment paper might cause sticking and uneven bottoms.
• Baking too long will dry out the cookies—pull them when they’re slightly underdone in the center.

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What to Serve With Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?

1. Hot Chocolate

Nothing says holiday like a cozy cup of hot cocoa to sip alongside your cookie.

2. Peppermint Mocha

The minty coffee flavors are a fun contrast to the sweet and salty cookie mix.

3. Vanilla Ice Cream

Sandwich these cookies around ice cream for a festive dessert sandwich.

4. Eggnog

For a traditional seasonal pairing, the creamy spiced drink complements the cookie’s crunch.

5. A Holiday Cookie Platter

Serve alongside gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and snickerdoodles for a beautiful cookie board.

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Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer with parchment paper to avoid sticking.

Refrigeration: The baked cookies don’t need refrigeration, but the dough can be chilled for up to 2 days before baking.

Freezing: Both the dough and the baked cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze scooped dough balls for up to 3 months, then bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies can be frozen in layers with parchment between them.

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Estimated Nutrition

Per cookie (estimated for a batch of 24):

• Calories: 215
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Sugar: 16g
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 115mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to balance flavors.

Do I need to chill the dough?

It’s optional, but recommended. Chilling helps prevent spreading and intensifies the flavors.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. The dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours or frozen for up to 3 months.

How do I make these gluten-free?

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and check that your mix-ins are gluten-free.

Can I skip the potato chips or pretzels?

Yes! You can omit or substitute them with other crunchy add-ins like nuts or cereal.

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Conclusion

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are festive, fun, and packed with holiday cheer in every bite. They’re the ultimate use-what-you-have treat, perfect for family baking sessions or last-minute cookie exchanges. With their colorful appearance, rich texture, and sweet-salty mix, they’re guaranteed to be the standout on any dessert table.

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