Introduction to Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Ah, the holiday season—a whirlwind of joy, chaos, and festive treats! If you’re like me, juggling a busy schedule, finding time to bake can feel impossible. That’s where my Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies come in. These delightful cookies are a sweet solution to your holiday baking needs. Packed with colorful mix-ins, they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends or enjoying by the fireplace. Plus, they require minimal fuss, making them a fantastic option for busy moms or professionals like us. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s fill our kitchens with some holiday cheer!
Why You’ll Love This Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
These Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies are truly a game-changer during the hectic holiday season. They come together quickly, allowing you to bake and still have time for family festivities. The combination of sweet and salty flavors creates a delightful explosion in every bite. Plus, the customizable mix-ins mean you can cater to your family’s taste buds. Whether you want to impress guests or simply treat yourself, these cookies deliver on all fronts!
Ingredients for Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Before we dive into the baking magic, let’s gather our ingredients for these delightful Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies. Each element plays a key role in creating those delectable treats!
- All-purpose flour: This forms the base of our cookies. It provides structure, giving them that perfect chewy texture.
- Baking powder & Baking soda: These are our leavening agents that help the cookies rise, ensuring they’re light and fluffy.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness, balancing flavors beautifully—trust me, it makes a difference!
- Unsalted butter: Creamed with sugars, it adds richness and flavor. Make sure it’s melted and cooled first for the best results.
- Dark brown sugar: This brings moisture and a lovely caramel flavor to your cookies.
- White granulated sugar: It adds sweetness and contributes to the crunchy texture on the edges.
- Large eggs: They bind everything together while adding moisture. Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of this warm flavor enhances the overall taste, making every bite feel like a hug.
- M&M’s: The red and green ones bring a pop of color and a fun crunch. Use extras for topping if you like!
- White chocolate chips: These melt beautifully, adding creamy sweetness that contrasts perfectly with the salty bits.
- Pretzels: Broken into pieces, they introduce a delightful salty crunch. Perfect harmony with the sweetness!
- Potato chips: Crushed and sprinkled in, these provide a surprising savory kick that truly makes these cookies stand out.
- Holiday sprinkles: For that festive touch, these jimmies add a splash of color and joy to every cookie.
- Optional mix-ins: Feel free to swap in your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or even different chocolates. The sky’s the limit!
Check out the bottom of the article for exact measurements of all these ingredients. Happy gathering!
How to Make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Now that we have everything ready, let’s dive into making these scrumptious Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies. Follow these simple steps, and soon your kitchen will be filled with the delightful aroma of holiday baking!
Step 1: Prepare the Butter
Melt the butter and let it cool for about 20 minutes. This cooling is important! Butter that’s too warm can turn your dough into a gooey mess. We need our butter to be just right—not hot, but at room temperature. This sets the stage for that perfect cookie texture.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step is crucial for the structure of your cookies. Combined correctly, these dry ingredients help the cookies rise evenly and keep their chewy middle. So, don’t skip this part!
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Now, it’s time to mix things up! In another bowl, whisk the melted butter with the dark brown sugar and white sugar until they’re well combined. Then, add in the eggs and vanilla extract. These ingredients add sweetness and a warm flavor that makes every bite feel like a cozy hug!
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gently stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula. Mix until just combined—you don’t want to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and nobody wants that! Just fold everything together until you see no flour. It should look deliciously rich!
Step 5: Add the Fun Mix-Ins
Here comes the fun part! Stir in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles. The colors and textures make this step feel like a festive celebration! This is what transforms your cookies into true culinary treasures!
Step 6: Form the Cookies
Using a 1 ½ oz ice cream scoop, drop dollops of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Give them plenty of room to spread out! It’s important to chill the dough for at least an hour in the fridge. Chilling helps them maintain shape and keeps them from turning into flat pancakes while baking!
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake your cookies for 13-15 minutes, flipping the tray halfway through. This ensures even baking so every cookie is golden and delicious. As they bake, get ready for the heavenly scent that will fill your home!
Step 8: Finishing Touches
Once they’re out of the oven, use a large cookie cutter to gently scoot each cookie into a perfect round shape. While they’re still warm, sprinkle on some extra toppings for an extra festive look. Trust me; these final touches make your cookies not just tasty but Instagram-worthy!
Tips for Success
- Always measure your flour correctly—spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off for precision.
- Let your butter cool completely, avoiding those dreaded soggy cookies!
- Mix in the add-ins gently to retain cookie dough’s fluffy texture.
- Use the scooping method for even-sized cookies, ensuring a consistent bake.
- Dough can be stored in the fridge for up to three days if you need to prep ahead!
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet: A standard baking sheet works, but a parchment-lined one helps with easy cleanup.
- Mixing bowls: Two large bowls are ideal; alternatives like a stand mixer can speed up the process.
- Rubber spatula: This tool is perfect for folding ingredients without overmixing; a wooden spoon can also work.
- Ice cream scoop: For uniform cookie sizes, a scoop is handy; you can use a tablespoon if needed.
- Whisk: A whisk helps mix ingredients thoroughly; a fork can serve as a substitute in a pinch.
Variations for Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend for a delicious gluten-free version.
- Nutty Delight: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a lovely crunch—perfect for nut lovers!
- Choco-Lover: Use semisweet or dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Dried Fruit: Swap in dried cranberries or cherries for a tart burst of flavor amid the sweetness.
- Vegan Option: Replace eggs with flaxseed meal (1 tbsp flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water per egg) and use coconut oil instead of butter for a vegan-friendly recipe.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair your Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate treat.
- For a festive touch, serve on a decorative platter with holiday-themed napkins.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for an indulgent dessert.
- Wrap cookies in clear bags tied with ribbon for sweet holiday gifts!
- Display them on a tiered stand for an impressive dessert table centerpiece.
FAQs about Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
Can I make Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Just scoop and bake whenever you’re ready!
What if I don’t have M&M’s?
No problem! You can substitute them with your favorite candies like chocolate chips, caramel bits, or even dried fruits to still get that festive burst of color.
How do I store leftover cookies?
Keep your Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer freshness, refrigerate them.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Definitely! After baking, let the cookies cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer.
What makes these cookies special?
These cookies stand out because of their unique mix-ins! The combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy elements makes them a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season.
Final Thoughts
Baking these Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies is more than just preparing a treat; it’s an invitation to create heartwarming memories with loved ones. The joy of mixing in colorful candies and unexpected surprises makes the process fun for all ages. With each bite, you’ll experience that perfect balance of sweet and salty, making these cookies a beloved holiday staple. Whether you’re sharing them at festive gatherings or enjoying them cozy at home, these delightful cookies are sure to bring smiles and laughter. This holiday season, let’s embrace the warmth of baking and the joy of giving!
Print
Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and festive Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies filled with a variety of toppings, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cup All purpose flour spooned and leveled
- ½ teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ tsp Baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 8 oz Unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 ¼ cup Dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup White granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup M&M’s red and green, plus more for topping
- ½ cup White chocolate chips plus more for topping
- ½ cup Pretzels broken into small pieces, plus more for topping
- ⅓ cup Potato chips, salted crushed, plus more for topping
- 2 tablespoon Holiday sprinkles jimmies works best
Instructions
- Melt butter and let it sit for 20 minutes. Make sure the butter is at room temperature and not warm.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- First, whisk the melted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Add the flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula until combined.
- Stir in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzels, crushed potato chips and holiday sprinkles.
- Use a 1 ½ oz ice cream scoop to scoop the cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate the cookie dough for 1 hour. Alternatively, if you are in a hurry you can freeze the dough for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Place 6 cookie dough balls onto a parchment lined sheet pan. Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes; turning the sheet pan halfway through baking. This will help the cookies brown evenly.
- Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and use a large cookie cutter to ‘scoot’ the cookies to give them a perfectly round shape. While they are still hot, add additional mix-ins on top of each cookie.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- For a decorative touch, add extra toppings immediately after baking.
- Feel free to customize the mix-ins according to your preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
