Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe

If you love a cookie that packs a punch of every sweet and salty delight, you’ll absolutely fall for these Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies. Each bite is a merry jumble of gooey chocolate, crispy pretzels, cheerful M&Ms, buttery toffee, and more, making every batch a surprise holiday treat. Whether you’re looking to brighten up the cookie platter or simply want a festive snack with a little bit of everything, these cookies will quickly become a holiday tradition you can’t bake just once!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies couldn’t be easier, and that’s part of the magic. Every component brings its own flair—whether it’s chew, crunch, or richness—so don’t be shy to make each one count. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a tip for each:

• Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Creams perfectly with sugars for an ultra-tender and rich cookie base.
• Brown sugar (1 cup): Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor that pairs deliciously with festive mix-ins.
• Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Helps the cookies brown and gives that classic holiday cookie sweetness.
• Large eggs (2): Essential for binding everything together and giving your cookies that chewy texture.
• Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Don’t skip this—vanilla brings warmth and rounds out every other flavor.
• All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): Offers just the right structure for thick, bakery-style cookies.
• Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps lift your cookies for a soft and tender crumb.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Just a bit for an extra boost—ensures cookies aren’t too flat.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances out all the sweetness and enhances every flavor in the mix.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Classic and melty, a must for chocolate lovers.
• White chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Adds creamy sweetness and a pretty pop of color.
• Crushed pretzels (1/2 cup): Delivers that perfect hit of salt and crunch.
• Holiday M&Ms (1/2 cup): Colorful, chocolatey, and festive fun in each bite.
• Toffee bits (1/2 cup): For golden caramel notes that are unbeatable in cookies.
• Chopped pecans (1/2 cup, optional): Bring a nutty crunch—optional, but delightful for texture contrasts.
• Shredded coconut (1/4 cup, optional): Adds chewy, tropical sweetness if you love it.
• Flaky sea salt for topping (optional): A sprinkle before baking amplifies every sweet and salty note.

How to Make Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Before you get mixing, set the scene: preheat your oven to 350°F and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This creates a fuss-free nonstick base and ensures your cookies brown evenly without a greasy bottom.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2–3 minutes. Don’t rush: this step lays the foundation for perfectly chewy cookies by whipping enough air into the base.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract

Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, pour in that tablespoon of vanilla extract—trust me, it’s the secret all-star of these cookies! Each ingredient gets lovingly incorporated for a consistent dough and rich flavor throughout.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Adding dry ingredients separately means every lift and flavor-booster distributes perfectly, so you get fluffy cookies every time.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Together

Gradually add your dry blend to the wet mixture. Pour in a bit at a time, mixing just until combined. You want to avoid overmixing, so stop as soon as you can’t see streaks of flour—your reward will be tender, thick cookies every time.

Step 6: Fold in the Fun

Now, here’s where the Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies live up to their name! Gently fold in your chocolate chips, pretzels, M&Ms, toffee bits, pecans, and coconut (if you like). Don’t worry about perfect distribution—every scoop will be a delightful surprise.

Step 7: Scoop and Sprinkle

Using heaping tablespoons, scoop your dough onto the lined baking sheets, placing each blob about 2 inches apart. If you want extra flair, top each with a sparkle of flaky sea salt before sliding them into the oven—this adds a dazzling finish and brings out all the best flavors.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10–12 minutes, watching for golden edges and soft, pillowy centers. Remember, cookies keep baking once they’re out of the oven, so pull them when the centers still look just a touch underdone.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool right on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes—that’s when they finish setting up, so don’t skip it! Then carefully transfer them to a wire rack and, if you can resist, let them cool completely before devouring a warm, gooey Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookie.

How to Serve Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies

Garnishes

The finishing touch makes all the difference. A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few extra M&Ms on top before baking turns each cookie into an eye-catching (and mouthwatering) treat worthy of any holiday spread. Feeling extra festive? Drizzle a little melted chocolate over cooled cookies for a playful flair.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with tall glasses of cold milk or piping hot mugs of cocoa for the ultimate Christmas snack moment. If you’re feeling fancy, set out a platter of sliced fruit or a bowl of mixed nuts alongside your Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies—these balance all those sweet, rich flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow your friends and family? Layer the cooled cookies in a glass jar tied with a holiday ribbon for a memorable gift, or pile them onto a stand as the centerpiece of your dessert table. For parties, stack cookies in cellophane bags with a cute tag—because sharing is the true magic of holiday baking!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies keep their deliciousness for days! Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay soft and chewy for up to five days. If you want to keep that just-baked taste and texture, tuck in a slice of bread (really!) to help maintain moisture.

Freezing

For longer-term cookie cravings, freeze baked cookies or scooped dough balls in a single layer on a tray. Once frozen, transfer them to zip-top bags or airtight containers. Cookies and dough will both keep for up to three months—simply bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the bake time, for fresh-from-the-oven results.

Reheating

To revive cooled cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes or microwave each for about 10 seconds. They’ll be warm, soft, and as irresistible as the moment they left the oven—perfect for indulging in a midnight treat or a cozy afternoon snack!

FAQs

Can I substitute or omit any of the mix-ins?

Absolutely! The glory of Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is their flexibility. Use whatever you have on hand: swap in dried cranberries, different nuts, or skip what you don’t like. Just be sure to keep the total amount of mix-ins around 2 to 2½ cups for the best texture.

What’s the secret to getting thick, chewy cookies?

Chilling the dough before baking really helps! Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least an hour (or up to overnight). This prevents spreading and deepens the flavors, giving you that craveable, bakery-style bite every single time.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend—just check that your mix-ins (like pretzels) are also gluten-free. The cookies may spread a bit more, but they’ll still taste fantastic and festive.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for golden edges with soft centers that still look slightly underbaked—the cookies will set up as they cool. Overbaking dries them out, so err on the side of taking them out a bit early for the perfect chewy texture.

Can I double or halve the recipe?

No problem! This dough is easy to scale. Halve the ingredients for a smaller batch, or double up for a big cookie swap. Just remember to adjust mixing bowl size and baking sheet count for your batch.

Final Thoughts

Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a plate filled with Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a cookie that’s got a little bit of everything—gooey, crunchy, salty, and sweet. Even if you bake just one batch, it’s sure to become a staple for seasons to come. Time to preheat your oven and spread some serious cookie joy!

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