Name: Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup salted butter, softened; 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup granulated white sugar; 2 egg yolks, at room temperature; 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled); 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup red and green M&M’s; 1/3 cup white chocolate chips; 1/3 cup pretzel pieces; 1/3 cup potato chip pieces; 2 tbsp red and green jimmies

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 23 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a fun, festive treat that truly captures the magic of the season, look no further than this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together a joyful jumble of sweet, salty, and crunchy little goodies all mixed into one perfect bite. They are packed with M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzels, potato chips, and sprinkles, creating a delightful explosion of flavors and textures that feel just as exciting as unwrapping presents under the tree. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a family gathering, or just because December calls for a little extra sweetness, these cookies are guaranteed to become an instant favorite in your Christmas tradition.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows several white bowls and small fluted containers arranged on a white marbled surface. From top to bottom, right to left, there is a white bowl with broken pretzel pieces in light brown color with some salt, a white bowl full of light brown brown sugar that has a small scoop pattern on top, and a white bowl filled with white chocolate chips. Below them is a small silver fluted container with coarse salt, a white bowl filled with red and green M&M candies, a large white bowl with white sugar, and small white fluted containers with baking soda, cornstarch, and another white powder. On the left side, there is a white bowl with two raw egg yolks, a white bowl full of flour, a small red fluted container with red and green sprinkles, and a white plate with three sticks of butter in pale yellow. At the bottom right, there is a white bowl filled with golden brown crushed cornflakes. The setup is bright and clean with all ingredients displayed neatly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the right ingredients is key to getting that perfect chewy yet crispy texture, with bursts of sweetness and saltiness in every bite. Each component contributes something special, from creamy butter offering richness to the sprinkles adding festive color to your cookies.

3/4 cup salted butter, softened: Provides the creamy base that enriches the dough and helps create tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor for that perfect chewiness.
1/4 cup granulated white sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with browning for those golden edges.
2 egg yolks, at room temperature: Adds richness and binds the dough together beautifully.
2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract: Infuses the dough with warm, aromatic notes that elevate every bite.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and just the right crumb.
1/2 tsp baking powder: Helps the cookies rise gently for a soft texture.
1/2 tsp baking soda: Works with the baking powder to create the perfect balance of lift and spread.
1/2 tsp salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and keeps the cookie’s taste balanced.
1/2 cup red and green M&M’s: Classic festive colors and chocolate bursts that scream holiday cheer.
1/3 cup white chocolate chips: Melts slightly for creamy pockets of sweetness.
1/3 cup pretzel pieces: Add irresistible crunch and a hint of savory to contrast the sweet.
1/3 cup potato chip pieces: Surprise salty crunch that’s simply addictive in a cookie.
2 tbsp red and green jimmies: Sprinkles that add color and fun texture, making the cookies extra festive.

How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start your baking adventure by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup, plus it promotes even baking for perfectly golden bottoms.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, combine the softened salted butter with both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer to cream them together for about two minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, giving your cookies a tender, airy texture.

Step 3: Mix in Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Add the two egg yolks and vanilla bean paste or extract to the creamed butter and sugars. Mix on medium speed for two minutes until the batter is pale, smooth, and velvety. The egg yolks enrich the dough for that luscious mouthfeel, while the vanilla lifts the flavor to new heights.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Next, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this to your wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Over-mixing can toughen the cookies, so treat your batter gently here!

Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins

Here’s where the magic happens: add your festive M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and sprinkles. Fold them in with a spatula carefully to keep all those mix-ins intact and evenly distributed throughout the dough, ensuring every cookie has a delightful combination of flavors.

Step 6: Scoop and Arrange Dough

Scoop the dough into 20 equal balls and place them on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow room for spreading. If you want your cookies to have that cute, colorful look, feel free to press a few extra mix-ins gently on top of each dough ball before baking.

Step 7: Bake and Shape

Bake your batch for 10 to 12 minutes depending on your preferred texture—10 minutes for chewy centers, 12 for crisper edges. Once out of the oven, you can optionally use a large circular cookie cutter to swirl around the cookies, pressing the ingredients together and giving them a perfect round shape, just like the picture-perfect cookies you see in holiday magazines.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack for an additional 10 minutes. This cooling step ensures the cookies firm up just right without losing their tender charm.

How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

A white plate stacked with twelve round cookies, each cookie is light brown with a soft texture and topped with red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces, white chips, small pretzel pieces, and red and green sprinkles spread evenly. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with a few extra pretzels scattered around. Two woman's hands with red nail polish hold the plate, one on each side. Nearby are small white bowls filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates, white chips, and pretzels. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle an extra handful of red and green jimmies or a few whole festive M&M’s on the platter for a visually cheerful presentation. You might also dust a light sprinkle of powdered sugar if you want a snow-kissed look that adds a bit of delicate sweetness.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, a cup of rich hot cocoa, or a spiced chai latte. The creamy drinks balance the cookies’ sweet and salty profile and turn simple moments into festive memories.

Creative Ways to Present

Make your holiday snack spread stand out by stacking the cookies in a rustic tin box or arranging them on a festive platter lined with parchment paper embossed with holiday motifs. Adding mini candy canes or holiday-themed napkins around your serving area will make your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe feel even more special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe adventure, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to three days, making them a convenient sweet treat for later in the week.

Freezing

Want to bake ahead? These cookie dough balls freeze beautifully. Arrange them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

For fresh-from-the-oven warmth, pop your cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a warm oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This brings out that gooey texture and makes the chocolate chips soft and luscious again.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute white chocolate chips with regular or even peanut butter chips, depending on your taste. Each will add a slightly different but delicious twist to the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe.

Why do the cookies call for both baking powder and baking soda?

The combination of baking powder and baking soda creates the ideal rise and spread. Baking soda reacts to the acidic brown sugar, while baking powder gives an extra leavening boost, resulting in cookies with great texture and shape.

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Yes! Chopping and folding in some walnuts or pecans would add an extra layer of crunch and flavor. Just substitute a bit of one of the salty snacks if you want to keep the balance of mix-ins.

Do I have to use vanilla bean paste, or can I use extract?

Vanilla bean paste adds a lovely speckled look and an intense vanilla flavor, but a good-quality vanilla extract works perfectly fine if that’s what you have on hand. Your cookies will still taste amazing!

How do I get my cookies to be chewy instead of crispy?

For chewier cookies, bake them for the shorter end of the time range (about 10 minutes), and make sure to slightly underbake—they will continue to set as they cool. Using more brown sugar than white sugar also helps retain moisture and chewiness.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe creation that’s brimming with festive colors, fun textures, and the perfect sweet-salty harmony. It’s a crowd-pleaser that delivers warmth and happiness in every bite. So why not bring some extra sparkle to your holiday baking this year with this delightful recipe? Your family and friends will thank you, and you’ll make memories that’ll last far beyond the last cookie crumb.