If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s bursting with flavors and textures, let me introduce you to the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe. This is the kind of cookie you whip up when you want a little bit of everything—chocolate, crunch, sweetness, and that surprise pop of colorful holiday cheer. Perfect for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just cozying up with a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly evening.
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In the Kitchen
I’ve made this recipe countless times, especially during the holidays, because it’s such a crowd-pleaser and incredibly forgiving. You can customize it with your favorite mix-ins or keep it exactly as is for that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy.
- Juicy and Tender Every Time: Creaming the butter and sugars well guarantees a soft, chewy center surrounded by just the right amount of crisp edge.
- Golden, Satisfying Finish: Baking these until the edges turn a warm golden brown signals they’re ready—no second guessing.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: You probably have nearly everything in your pantry already; it’s just a matter of pulling it together.
- Weeknight to Weekend Ready: Whether you’re making a quick snack or prepping for a festive party, these cookies are easy enough for any occasion.
Ingredients at a Glance
In this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe, I like to use quality ingredients that really make a difference in flavor and texture—especially the butter and chocolate. Don’t skimp on freshness for a truly joyful bite.
- Unsalted butter: Use softened, not melted, to get that light, fluffy cream that gives the cookies great rise.
- Brown and granulated sugar: The combo adds moisture and chewiness (brown sugar) along with crisp edges (granulated).
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs blend best for smooth dough.
- Vanilla extract: Real vanilla makes a huge flavor difference here.
- All-purpose flour: Measure properly by spooning into your cup for accuracy, avoiding dense cookies.
- Baking soda: Ensures cookie rise and lightness.
- Chocolate chips (semisweet and white): Mixing both gives that fun contrast in each bite.
- Crushed pretzels: Adds a salty crunch that surprises and delights.
- Toffee bits: Sweet, buttery shards that melt in your mouth.
- Red and green M&Ms: For that classic Christmas pop of color and a touch of chocolate crunch.
Heads-Up: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Step 1 — Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, set your softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a large bowl. Cream them together using a mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—this usually takes around 3 to 5 minutes. The texture at this point is key for a tender cookie, so don’t rush it or miss this step.
Step 2 — Add Eggs and Vanilla, Mix Smoothly
Next, beat in two large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition so the batter stays smooth. Follow up with the vanilla extract; it really wakes up the flavors in this cookie. When the mixture looks glossy and smooth, you know you’re on the right track.
Step 3 — Combine Dry Ingredients and Incorporate Gently
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt thoroughly. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, blending just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here – you want the dough just pulled together for the perfect tender bite.
Step 4 — Fold in Chocolate, Pretzels, Toffee, and M&Ms
Now for the fun part! Fold in semisweet and white chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, toffee bits, and festive red and green M&Ms. The mix of sweet, salty, and colorful ingredients is what makes this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe so memorable. Use a spatula to evenly distribute everything without breaking the add-ins.
Step 5 — Scoop and Bake to Golden Perfection
Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto your parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until you see the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. You’ll notice the centers will look soft but they’ll firm up as they cool. Let the cookies rest for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Things to Remember
Over the years, I’ve learned a few smart tweaks to keep these cookies spot-on every time. This recipe’s forgiving nature lets you get creative, but a few key tips really add up.
- Doneness Cue: Edges should be golden brown while centers still look slightly soft for the perfect chewy texture.
- Temperature Trick: Always use room-temperature eggs and softened butter to ensure even mixing and consistent crumb.
- Make-Ahead Move: Dough can be refrigerated up to 2 days before baking for deeper flavor and easy planning.
- Common Pitfall: Avoid overmixing after adding flour to prevent dense, tough cookies.
Ways to Serve It
Finishing Touches
I like to finish these cookies with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right before baking—this little touch elevates the sweet and salty balance perfectly. If you’re feeling extra festive, a drizzle of melted white chocolate over cooled cookies looks gorgeous and ups the indulgence factor.
Plays Well With
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea, rich hot chocolate, or even a cold glass of milk. For a holiday dessert platter, serve alongside peppermint bark, candied nuts, or gingerbread for a variety of tastes and textures your guests will love.
Simple Plating Upgrades
Serve the cookies on a rustic wooden board sprinkled with extra M&Ms or crushed pretzels. Adding a small bowl of hot fudge or caramel for dipping gives it a playful, interactive twist that’s perfect for kids and adults alike.
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days. For best results, place a slice of bread in the container to help keep them moist.
Freezing Tips
You can freeze these cookies either as baked or as shaped dough balls. Wrap well in plastic and place in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. To thaw, let cookies come to room temperature or bake frozen dough balls directly, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe Without Drying Out
To warm your cookies, I recommend a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave or a low 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Placing a small cup of water in the microwave with the cookies helps keep them soft. Avoid overheating, or they’ll dry out fast — gentle warmth is what revives their toasty, melty charm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! That’s the beauty of this recipe. Feel free to swap pretzels for nuts, replace M&Ms with dried cranberries, or add your favorite candies. Just keep the total volume similar for consistent baking.
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes if it feels too soft. Using parchment paper also encourages even baking without too much spread.
Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum, you can create a delicious gluten-free version. Just be mindful of mix-in cross-contamination if strictly gluten-free.
Bake until just golden at the edges and slightly underbaked in the center. Also, storing cookies with a slice of bread helps keep them moist overnight.
Final Thoughts
Making this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions—it’s like capturing the joy of the season in each sticky, colorful bite. You’ll enjoy how easy it is to customize, and how impossible it is to eat just one. Trust me, once you start, friends and family will be asking for these all year round. So roll up your sleeves, grab your favorite mixing bowl, and dive into a cookie that truly celebrates the best of Christmas in every mouthful.
PrintFull Printable Recipe
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Festive and indulgent Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies packed with a delightful mix of chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, pretzels, toffee bits, and colorful M&Ms for a perfect holiday treat.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed pretzels
- ½ cup toffee bits
- ½ cup red and green M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Mix Dry with Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Incorporate Add-ins: Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, toffee bits, and red and green M&Ms, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, ensuring a crisp edge and chewy center.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For a softer cookie, slightly underbake by reducing baking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Substitute pretzels with nuts for a different crunch if preferred.
- Make sure butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the best creaming results.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the flour mixture for a warm holiday spice twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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