Baking adds joy to any occasion, especially during the holiday season. One of the most fun and festive treats you can make is mix-and-match cookies, often called Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies. These cookies are a delightful way to bring together a variety of sweet and savory flavors. Packed with M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzels, and even potato chips, each bite is a new adventure. Whether you are baking for a holiday gathering or looking for a fun activity to do with family, these cookies tick all the boxes.
Why Make This Recipe
There are many reasons to choose Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies for your next baking project. First, they are incredibly versatile. You can adjust the ingredients based on what you have at home or what you enjoy. This recipe lets you use various add-ins, making each batch unique.
Second, these cookies are easy to make. The steps are straightforward, and you don’t need any special equipment beyond the basics you likely already have in your kitchen. The melting butter and mixing make the whole process enjoyable and approachable.
Lastly, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser. Whether you are sharing them with friends, family, or coworkers, they bring smiles and warmth. The colorful M&M’s and festive sprinkles add a cheerful touch, perfect for the holiday season. With the chewy texture of the cookie itself and the delightful combination of flavors, it’s hard to resist having just one!
How to Make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Making Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is simple and rewarding. You only need a few common ingredients, a bit of time, and your creativity!
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 8 oz Unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 1/4 cups Dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup White granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 cup M&M’s (red and green, plus more for topping)
- 1/2 cup White chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
- 1/2 cup Pretzels (broken into small pieces, plus more for topping)
- 1/3 cup Potato chips, salted (crushed, plus more for topping)
- 2 tbsp Holiday sprinkles (jimmies work best)
Directions:
Melt the butter: To start, melt the unsalted butter gently in a microwave or on the stove. Once melted, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to cool down slightly.
Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure there are no lumps for even mixing later.
Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the melted butter with the dark brown sugar and white granulated sugar until you get a smooth and creamy texture.
Add eggs and vanilla: Crack in the eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix these into the butter and sugar mixture well until fully combined.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Fold in the fun ingredients: Now, it’s time to make the cookies exciting! Fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, broken pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles.
Scoop the dough: Using a 1 1/2 oz ice cream scoop, drop the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to leave some space between each scoop for spreading.
Chill the dough: To improve the texture and flavors, refrigerate the cookie dough for 1 hour or freeze for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven: While your dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the cookies: Once the chilling time is up, place the cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for about 13 to 15 minutes, turning the sheet halfway through for even baking.
Shape and add toppings: As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven, use a large cookie cutter to shape them while they are still warm. Add any additional toppings you like.
How to Serve Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Serving Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is a treat in itself. These cookies are best enjoyed fresh and warm, so consider serving them right out of the oven. You can place them on a decorative platter for a festive touch when hosting holiday gatherings.
Pair the cookies with a glass of cold milk, warm cocoa, or your favorite holiday drink. You can also pack them in a festive box or tin for gifting to friends and loved ones. These cookies are perfect for sharing, and their colorful presentation makes them a delight to receive.
How to Store Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
If you have any cookies left after your gathering, you can store them to enjoy later. Let the cookies cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh at room temperature for about a week.
For longer storage, consider freezing the cookies. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Tips to Make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Measure accurately: Make sure to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off for correct measurements. This ensures your cookies won’t turn out too dry or too dense.
Use room temperature eggs: Using eggs at room temperature helps them mix better with the other ingredients. Take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start baking.
Customize your mix-ins: Feel free to use other types of chips, nuts, or dried fruits based on your preference. Just adjust the quantities to match.
Don’t skip chilling the dough: Chilling the dough helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking, giving them a thicker and chewier texture.
Variation
While this recipe offers a delightful mix of flavors, you can easily customize it to suit your taste or add seasonal touches. For example, you can replace the M&M’s with mini chocolate chips, and substitute the white chocolate chips with peanut butter chips for a different flavor profile.
You could also adjust the theme for other holidays by changing the sprinkles to match the occasion. Red, white, and blue sprinkles for Independence Day or pastel colors for Easter can make the cookies festive all year round!
FAQs
Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or freeze it for up to three months. Just make sure to allow it to thaw in the fridge before baking.
Q2: Why did my cookies spread too much?
If your cookies spread too much, it’s likely due to the dough being too warm. Ensure you chill the dough properly before baking, and make sure your butter is not too warm when mixing.
Q3: How can I make my cookies chewier?
To achieve chewier cookies, you can use a mix of both brown sugar and granulated sugar, as brown sugar adds moisture. Also, try baking them for a shorter time to keep them softer.
Baking Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is a joyous way to bring people together, celebrate the holiday spirit, and indulge in delicious treats. With their delightful mix of flavors and textures, these cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite!
Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the unsalted butter gently in a microwave or on the stove. Let it cool for about 20 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until there are no lumps.
- In another bowl, whisk the melted butter with the dark brown sugar and white granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well.
- Gradually mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, broken pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles.
- Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet using a 1 1/2 oz ice cream scoop.
- Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour or freeze for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Use a large cookie cutter to shape the cookies and add additional toppings while warm.