Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate festive cookie, soft, chewy, and loaded with everything but the kitchen sink! Packed with chocolate chips, pretzels, caramel bits, M&M’s, toffee, and festive sprinkles, these cookies are bursting with sweet and salty holiday flavor in every bite.
Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday dessert platters, or gifting, these cookies are a playful twist on the traditional chocolate chip cookie. The dough is buttery and rich, with crispy edges and soft centers, while the add-ins give every bite a surprise crunch or melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing treats for a party, Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed pretzels
- ½ cup red and green M&M’s
- ¼ cup toffee bits or caramel chips
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (plus more for topping)
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
Step 2: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined, don’t overmix.
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
- Fold in chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, M&M’s, toffee bits, and sprinkles.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
Step 4: Shape and Bake
- Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Press a few extra M&M’s or pretzel pieces on top for decoration.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden but centers are soft.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top if desired for extra flavor contrast.
Variations
- Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes or peppermint chips.
- Nutty Version: Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Triple Chocolate: Use milk, white, and dark chocolate chips.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Cooking Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent cookies from spreading too much.
- Use room-temperature butter for even mixing.
- For an extra soft texture, slightly underbake the cookies and let them finish setting on the tray.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with milk or hot cocoa for a cozy Christmas treat.
- Stack in clear gift bags tied with red ribbon for edible holiday gifts.
- Arrange on a cookie platter with sugar cookies, gingerbread, and peppermint bark.
Tips
- Use festive red and green M&M’s for a true Christmas look.
- Make the dough ahead of time and freeze it for up to 2 months.
- To make jumbo cookies, scoop ¼ cup dough per cookie and bake a few minutes longer.
- Sprinkle a little sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty finish.
Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Baking Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Nutritional Information (per cookie, 24 cookies)
- Calories: 235
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 190mg
FAQs
Q1: Why are they called “Kitchen Sink” cookies?
- Because they include a little bit of everything, sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy, all in one cookie!
Q2: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
- Yes! Scoop and freeze dough balls, then bake directly from frozen, just add 1–2 extra minutes of baking time.
Q3: Can I use other candies or mix-ins?
- Definitely. Try peanut butter chips, chopped candy bars, or crushed pretzel pieces.
Q4: How do I keep the cookies soft?
- Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread—it helps maintain moisture.
Q5: Can I make them ahead of time?
- Yes! They stay fresh for up to 5 days in a sealed container or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Conclusion
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a joyful mashup of holiday sweetness and crunchy perfection. Loaded with chocolate, pretzels, candies, and sprinkles, they capture everything we love about Christmas baking, fun, flavor, and festive cheer. Whether you’re gifting them, serving them at a party, or baking them with loved ones, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and Christmas spirit with every bite.