Oh, the holidays! Is there anything better than that cozy feeling in the kitchen with festive music playing and the smell of something delicious baking? For me, it’s all about those easy, no-fuss treats that bring everyone together. That’s exactly what these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are all about! Seriously, they’re like a party in your mouth, loaded with all sorts of goodies. I whipped up a batch last week and they disappeared faster than Santa down a chimney! They’re perfect for when you want that homemade touch without spending hours slaving away. Plus, they look so festive with all the colors!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Trust me, these cookies are a holiday lifesaver! They hit all the right notes for a busy baker:
- Super Quick & Easy: Seriously, you can whip up a batch even if you’re short on time. Perfect for those last-minute holiday needs!
- Flavor Explosion: They’re packed with all sorts of yummy stuff – sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy – it’s a party in every bite.
- Party Perfect: Whether it’s a cookie exchange, a holiday get-together, or just for Santa, these are always a huge hit. Everyone loves a cookie with a little bit of everything!
- Make Them Yours: The best part? You can totally customize them with whatever holiday candies or goodies you have lying around.
Gathering Your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Ingredients
Alright, let’s get our goodies together for these amazing Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies! First up, we need 2 cups of all-purpose flour. This is our base, the sturdy foundation for all the fun stuff we’re about to add. Then, grab 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of salt – these are super important for making sure our cookies bake up just right and have that perfect flavor balance.
Now for the creamy magic: 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter. Make sure it’s softened, like just barely melted, not liquidy! This is key for creaming it properly. We’ll also need 3/4 cup of granulated sugar and 3/4 cup of packed light brown sugar. Don’t be shy with the brown sugar; packing it in there gives us that lovely moistness and caramel-y depth. And of course, 2 large eggs (room temperature is best!) and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to make everything smell and taste heavenly.
Here comes the “kitchen sink” part! Toss in 1 cup of chocolate chips – I like semi-sweet, but milk chocolate is great too! Then, 1 cup of M&M’s, especially the holiday colors, just makes them pop. For that irresistible salty-sweet contrast, we need 1/2 cup of chopped pretzels. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can totally add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are lovely) or even 1/2 cup of shredded coconut. Totally up to you!
Crafting Your Perfect Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Alright, let’s get down to business and make some magic happen! First things first, crank your oven up to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This is my little trick to make sure these beauties don’t stick and clean-up is a breeze!
Next, in a medium-sized bowl, let’s get our dry ingredients together. Whisk up 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Just give ’em a good whisk until they’re all friends and nicely combined. Set that aside for a sec.
Now, grab your biggest mixing bowl. We need to cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 3/4 cup of packed light brown sugar. You want to beat this until it’s super light and fluffy. It should look pale and airy – that’s where all the tenderness comes from!
Time for some eggs! Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is mixed in before you add the next. Then, stir in that lovely 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Oh, the smell already!
Now, we’re going to gradually add our dry ingredients to this wet mixture. Do it in a few additions, mixing *just* until everything is combined. Seriously, don’t go crazy here! Overmixing makes cookies tough, and we want tender, chewy goodness. A few streaks of flour are totally fine.
This is the fun part! Fold in your goodies: 1 cup of chocolate chips, 1 cup of M&M’s, and 1/2 cup of chopped pretzels. If you’re adding nuts or coconut, now’s the time to gently stir them in too. Make sure everything is nicely distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and drop them onto your prepared baking sheets. Give them a little space, about 2 inches apart, because they will spread out a bit. They should look like little mounds of deliciousness just waiting to bake!
Pop them into that preheated oven for about 9 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be a nice golden brown, but the centers should still look a little soft and maybe even a tiny bit underdone. That’s the secret to that perfect chewy cookie!
Once they’re out of the oven, let them hang out on the baking sheets for a few minutes – maybe 5 minutes or so. This helps them set up a bit. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience, my friends, patience!
Tips for Thicker Christmas Cookies
Want your cookies to be extra thick and chewy, not flat and crispy? My biggest secret is to chill the dough! After you’ve mixed everything together, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This lets the flour absorb the moisture and prevents the butter from melting too quickly in the oven, which stops the cookies from spreading out too much. The longer you chill it, the thicker your cookies will be!
Storing and Freezing Your Christmas Sink Cookies
These Christmas Sink Cookies are fantastic for making ahead! Once they’re completely cooled, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They stay pretty fresh thanks to all those yummy mix-ins! If you want to keep them even longer, these are total rockstars in the freezer. Just pop the cooled cookies into a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw them on the counter when you’re ready for a holiday treat!
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Absolutely! These are perfect for making ahead. You can store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. The dough can also be chilled for up to 3 days before baking, which is great if you want to bake them fresh on a specific day!
What are good substitutions for the mix-ins in these Everything Christmas Cookies?
Oh, get creative! Besides chocolate chips and M&M’s, you could add chopped up candy canes, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even some leftover Christmas candies. Crushed graham crackers or even a few broken-up shortbread cookies can add a fun twist to your Everything Christmas Cookies!
How do I prevent my Christmas Cookies Pretzel from spreading too much?
For less spread and thicker cookies, definitely chill your dough for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours. Make sure your oven is at the correct temperature and don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour! Using parchment paper on your baking sheets also helps prevent them from spreading too thin.
Are these Freezer Christmas Cookies good for holiday make-ahead plans?
Yes, they are fantastic for making ahead! These Freezer Christmas Cookies hold up really well in the freezer and are perfect for stocking up your holiday treat stash way in advance. Just thaw them out when you need a quick, festive dessert!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Estimated nutritional values per cookie are as follows:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Approximately 180
- Fat: Approximately 10g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 20g
- Sugar: Approximately 15g
- Protein: Approximately 2g
- Sodium: Approximately 70mg
- Cholesterol: Approximately 25mg
- Fiber: Approximately 1g
Please note that these are approximate values and can vary based on the specific brands and types of ingredients you use.
We absolutely love seeing your baking triumphs! Tell us how your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies turned out in the comments below. Did you try any fun mix-in combinations? We’d love to hear all about it! And if you enjoyed this recipe, please give it a star rating – it really helps out other bakers!
Storing and Freezing Your Christmas Sink Cookies
These Christmas Sink Cookies are fantastic for making ahead! Once they’re completely cooled, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They stay pretty fresh thanks to all those yummy mix-ins! If you want to keep them even longer, these are total rockstars in the freezer. Just pop the cooled cookies into a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw them on the counter when you’re ready for a holiday treat!
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Oh, for sure! These are seriously the best for making ahead. Once they’re all cooled down, you can pop them into an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for about 3 or 4 days. They stay nice and fresh! Or, if you want to stash them away for even longer, they freeze like a dream. Just put them in a freezer-safe airtight container or a good freezer bag. They’ll be perfectly yummy for up to 3 months. You can even chill the dough for a few days before baking if you want them super fresh!
What are good substitutions for the mix-ins in these Everything Christmas Cookies?
Get creative, I say! Besides the chocolate chips and M&M’s, you could totally toss in some chopped-up candy canes for a minty kick, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even some fun leftover holiday candies you might have. And for a different twist, crushed graham crackers or a few broken-up shortbread cookies can add a really neat texture to your Everything Christmas Cookies!
How do I prevent my Christmas Cookies Pretzel from spreading too much?
If you’re aiming for thicker cookies and want to stop them from spreading too much, my number one tip is to chill the dough! After you’ve mixed everything up, just cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours. This really helps the flour soak up all the moisture and keeps the butter from melting too fast in the oven, so your Christmas Cookies Pretzel won’t go flat. Also, make sure your oven is at the right temperature and don’t overmix the dough!
Are these Freezer Christmas Cookies good for holiday make-ahead plans?
Yes, they are absolutely perfect for holiday make-ahead plans! These Freezer Christmas Cookies are total winners because they freeze so well. You can totally stock up your holiday treat stash way before the big rush. Just pull them out of the freezer when you need a quick, festive dessert or a little something special. They’re a lifesaver when you’re busy!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the brands you use and exactly what goodies you toss in. But for one of these delicious Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, you’re looking at roughly:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Around 180
- Fat: About 10g
- Saturated Fat: Roughly 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g (hooray!)
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 20g
- Sugar: About 15g
- Protein: Around 2g
- Sodium: Roughly 70mg
- Cholesterol: Close to 25mg
- Fiber: About 1g
So, enjoy them as the festive treat they are!
I just LOVE seeing what you all create in your kitchens! So, please, tell me all about your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies! Did they turn out perfectly? Did you try any fun new mix-ins or variations? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts! And if you really loved this recipe, a quick star rating would mean the world to me and help other bakers find these delightful cookies too!
For more delicious recipes and baking inspiration, check out our Pinterest page!
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Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: 10-Min Treat
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a festive and easy treat. They are packed with a variety of delicious ingredients, making them a crowd-pleaser for any holiday gathering. You can also freeze them for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&M’s
- 1/2 cup chopped pretzels
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips, M&M’s, chopped pretzels, and any optional ingredients like nuts or coconut.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- These cookies freeze well. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Feel free to customize the mix-ins with your favorite holiday candies or cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
