Why Make This Recipe
Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and sharing delicious treats with friends and family. One way to spread cheer during the holiday season is by baking cookies. This recipe for Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy a sweet, festive dessert. These cookies are not only fun to make, but they also combine various flavors and textures in one delightful bite. Imagine the crunch of pretzels, the sweetness of M&M’s, and the creaminess of white chocolate all coming together in a soft, chewy cookie.
Whether you are hosting a holiday gathering, bringing goodies to a potluck, or just looking for a cozy evening at home, these cookies will impress everyone. They are colorful, festive, and, most importantly, delicious. Plus, the ingredients are simple and easy to find, making this recipe accessible for bakers of all levels.
Gather your loved ones, put on your holiday music, and get ready to create a memorable sweet treat that everyone will enjoy. Making cookies can become a cherished tradition, and this recipe is perfect for making happy memories in the kitchen!
How to Make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Making Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is straightforward, and you’ll find that every step brings you closer to a delightful treat. With a mix of both sweet and salty flavors, these cookies bring excitement to the traditional holiday dessert.
Now, let’s go through the ingredients and the simple steps to bake these fantastic cookies.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cup 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 cup 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)
These ingredients come together to create a delicious cookie with a unique twist that everyone will love!
Directions
Now, let’s follow these simple steps to make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies:
Melt the Unsalted Butter: Begin by melting the unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Once melted, let it cool to room temperature. This helps the butter mix better with the sugars.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these ingredients first helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
Combine Butter and Sugars: In another bowl, mix the melted butter with the dark brown sugar and white sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is essential as it creates the base for your cookies.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Next, add the room temperature eggs and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well until everything is combined.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make your cookies tough.
Fold in Tasty Add-Ins: This is where the fun begins! Fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, broken pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles. This mixture will add texture and festive flair to your cookies.
Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to space them well apart, as they will spread while baking.
Chill the Dough: Chill the dough for 1 hour in the refrigerator, or you can freeze it for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
Preheat the Oven: While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is important for even baking.
Bake the Cookies: After chilling, bake for 13-15 minutes, turning the baking sheet halfway through baking. Keep an eye on them; you want them to be light golden brown.
Reshape and Decorate: If desired, reshape the cookies while warm. You can also add more mix-ins on top for extra decoration.
Serve or Store: Enjoy your cookies fresh from the oven, or let them cool and store them in an airtight container.
How to Serve Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Serving Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is a breeze. They are perfect for any holiday gathering, family event, or cozy night in with a warm drink. Here are a few fun ideas for serving these delicious cookies:
- Cookie Platter: Arrange the cookies on a festive platter and serve with a side of hot chocolate or coffee. This makes for a lovely dessert display.
- Gift Bags: Pack cookies in cute holiday gift bags and give them to friends, neighbors, or coworkers. They make thoughtful gifts that anyone would appreciate.
- Dessert Table: If you host a holiday party, include these cookies as part of a dessert table, along with other treats. Their festive colors will add to the holiday cheer.
- Snack for Kids: These cookies are also great as snacks for kids. The colorful M&M’s and fun textures will surely please little ones and keep them happy.
How to Store Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
To keep your Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies fresh, follow these storage tips:
- Cool Completely: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before you store them. This prevents moisture from building up and making them soggy.
- Airtight Container: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This will keep them soft and fresh for several days.
- Freezing: If you want to keep your cookies for a longer time, consider freezing them. Place them in a single layer in a freezer bag or container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer.
- Reheat: If you have frozen cookies, allow them to thaw at room temperature. You can reheat them in the oven for a few minutes for a fresh-baked taste.
Tips to Make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly:
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temperature eggs helps the mixture blend more easily, creating a smoother batter.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough may seem like an extra step, but it makes a big difference in the cookie texture. It helps to control the spread while baking.
- Mix-Ins Galore: Feel free to customize the mix-ins based on your preferences. You can add nuts, dried fruits, or substitute different types of chocolate chips.
- Check Oven Temperature: Always make sure your oven is at the correct temperature before baking. An oven thermometer can help you ensure the heat is accurate.
Variation
While these Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies are fantastic as they are, you can play around with the recipe. Here are a few variations:
- Chocolate Dough: Add cocoa powder to the flour mixture to make chocolate cookies. It’s a fun twist that chocolate lovers will enjoy.
- Different Sprinkles: Instead of holiday sprinkles, try colorful sprinkles for birthdays or celebrations.
- Nutty Flavor: Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for a crunchier texture and added flavor.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and chill it in the refrigerator. You can also bake the cookies ahead of time and store them.
Q2: Can I use other types of chocolate?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to substitute milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips based on your taste.
Q3: Can I leave out any of the mix-ins?
A: Yes! If you don’t want to use any specific mix-ins, just leave them out. You can also add more of another ingredient to make up for it.
Making Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is a fun way to embrace the spirit of the season. With this recipe, you can create wonderful memories while baking and sharing these delicious treats. Enjoy every bite and have a happy holiday season!
Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Begin by melting the unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Once melted, let it cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix the melted butter with the dark brown sugar and white sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Next, add the room temperature eggs and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, broken pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill the dough for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- After chilling, bake for 13-15 minutes, turning the baking sheet halfway through baking.
- If desired, reshape the cookies while warm and add more mix-ins on top for decoration.
- Enjoy your cookies fresh from the oven, or let them cool and store them in an airtight container.