Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Hi, I’m Laura. I’m 40 years old and living in the United States, and my journey with cooking has been a mix of curiosity, trial and error, and a lot of laughter with a close friend. One evening, we followed a calm YouTube tutorial, pausing and giggling as butter sizzled in the pan and holiday music played softly. The sweet, salty aroma filled the kitchen with pure Christmas joy. Follow along and tell me how it goes cooking’s always more fun when you share it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are the ultimate balance of flavors and textures. Each bite has a little bit of everything—soft dough, crunchy pretzel, and creamy chocolate—all blended into a cookie that feels like Christmas in your hands.

They’re also incredibly fun to make! Between crushing pretzels, sprinkling jimmies, and folding in bright M&M’s, this recipe is perfect for baking with kids or for anyone who loves festive, feel-good kitchen moments.

And the best part? No chill time. You can have warm, gooey cookies ready to share in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened – gives a rich, buttery flavor
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed – adds deep, caramel sweetness
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar – balances the flavor and crispness
• 2 egg yolks, room temperature – make the cookies tender and chewy
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract – brings warmth and depth
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – the base for that perfect chew
• 1/2 tsp baking powder – helps them rise just slightly
• 1/2 tsp baking soda – keeps the cookies light and soft
• 1/2 tsp salt – enhances every sweet and salty note
• 1/2 cup red and green M&M’s – festive pops of color and crunch
• 1/3 cup white chocolate chips – creamy sweetness in every bite
• 1/3 cup pretzel pieces – add salty, satisfying crunch
• 1/3 cup potato chip pieces – the secret to their addicting saltiness
• 2 tbsp red and green sprinkles (jimmies) – for extra holiday cheer

Directions (Step-by-Step Cooking Guide)

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. The anticipation of those sweet, buttery aromas starts now!

Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about two minutes, until light and fluffy. You’ll see the mixture turn pale and creamy—this is your base for that perfect cookie texture.

Step 3: Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla on medium speed for another two minutes. The dough should look smooth and slightly glossy.

Step 4: Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until everything comes together—don’t overmix. You’ll notice the dough becoming thick and soft.

Step 5: Gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chips, and sprinkles. The dough will look colorful and chunky—exactly how it should!

Step 6: Scoop the dough into 20 balls and arrange them two inches apart on your baking sheets. If you want extra festive flair, press a few more M&M’s and chips on top before baking.

Step 7: Bake for 10–12 minutes, depending on whether you like them chewy or slightly crisp at the edges. When they’re done, they’ll be golden and just set in the middle.

Step 8: For picture-perfect cookies, use a round cookie cutter to gently swirl around each cookie right out of the oven. Then let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Cultural or Technique Note

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a modern take on a classic American “everything cookie.” They blend traditional holiday mix-ins with playful, snack-aisle favorites like pretzels and potato chips—making them a perfect reflection of American comfort baking: creative, cozy, and just a little indulgent.

Serving Suggestions

• With a tall glass of cold milk – the ultimate cozy pairing for that sweet-salty bite.
• Wrapped in a festive tin for gifting – perfect for spreading Christmas cheer to friends and neighbors.
• Crumbled over vanilla ice cream – turns a simple dessert into a crunchy, creamy dream.
• Served alongside hot cocoa at a holiday party – a warm, nostalgic combo everyone loves.

Pro Tips for Success

1. Measure flour correctly. Spoon and level, or weigh—never scoop directly from the bag.
2. Beat butter and sugar well. That airy texture gives your cookies the perfect chew.
3. Add a few mix-ins on top before baking. It makes them bakery-beautiful.
4. Use quality white chocolate. It melts smoother and tastes richer.
5. Shape cookies right out of the oven. A quick swirl inside a cookie cutter makes them perfectly round.
6. Don’t overbake. Pull them out when the centers still look slightly soft—they’ll finish setting as they cool.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much flour: Makes cookies dense—measure carefully.
• Overmixing the dough: Leads to tough cookies—stop when combined.
• Skipping salt: You’ll lose that perfect sweet-salty balance.
• Baking too long: They’ll dry out fast—watch closely at the 10-minute mark.
• Using cheap chocolate: It can taste waxy—opt for high-quality chips.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store airtight for 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Warm gently in the oven at low heat or microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that just-baked texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I add in other mix-ins?
A: Absolutely! Swap one of the existing mix-ins with butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, nuts, or even dark chocolate. Just don’t overload the dough—these cookies already have plenty going on!

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time and chill it?
A: Yes. The dough stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Let it come to room temperature before baking for best results.

Closing Paragraph

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a true holiday crowd-pleaser—chewy, colorful, and bursting with personality. They bring together the best sweet and salty flavors in one irresistible bite. Share them at your next holiday gathering, pack them in cookie tins for gifts, or enjoy them warm with your favorite mug of cocoa. Every batch feels like a little piece of Christmas magic.

Final Thoughts

There’s something about these cookies that feels like pure joy—messy, colorful, and full of love. Every time I bake them, my kitchen smells like nostalgia and laughter. I hope they bring the same warmth and sweetness to your home this holiday season.