Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe: A Delicious Holiday Treat

Christmas kitchen sink cookies are the ultimate holiday treat that transforms your pantry odds and ends into pure magic. Picture this: it’s December 23rd, you’re hosting unexpected guests, and your cookie jar is embarrassingly empty.

That’s exactly what happened to me three years ago when my sister showed up with her entire family for an impromptu holiday visit. In a panic, I started tossing everything I could find into a cookie dough – M&M’s left over from Halloween, crushed pretzels from snack time, even potato chips from lunch. The result? The most requested Christmas kitchen sink cookies recipe that’s become our family’s new holiday tradition.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These festive kitchen sink cookies are a game-changer for busy holiday bakers. Unlike traditional Christmas cookies that require precise measurements and specific ingredients, this easy holiday cookie recipe celebrates imperfection. Every bite delivers a delightful surprise – the crunch of pretzels, the sweetness of white chocolate chips, and the festive pop of red and green M&M’s.

What makes these chocolate nut holiday cookies truly special is their forgiving nature. Running low on one ingredient? Simply swap it for something else! This sprinkle studded cookie recipe has saved me countless times during hectic holiday seasons, and the kids absolutely love helping me “throw everything in.” It’s become our favorite holiday baking tradition, creating memories while clearing out the pantry.

Looking for more delicious meal ideas to complement your holiday baking? Explore more quick & easy dinner recipes here to round out your festive menu planning.

Ingredients List

These festive dessert cookie ideas come together with simple pantry staples and fun mix-ins that create the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures.

Base Cookie Dough	Festive Mix-ins
3/4 cup salted butter, softened	1/2 cup red and green M&M’s
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed	1/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup granulated white sugar	1/3 cup pretzel pieces
2 egg yolks, at room temperature	1/3 cup potato chip pieces
2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract	2 tbsp red and green jimmies
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

The beauty of this Christmas kitchen sink cookies recipe lies in its flexibility – these holiday baking tips for cookies allow you to customize based on what’s available in your pantry. Find more quick lunch ideas here to keep your energy up during those marathon holiday baking sessions.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking for your Christmas kitchen sink cookies.

Step 2: Cream the Base
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This creates the perfect texture foundation.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until just combined – overmixing can make your cookies tough.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.

Step 5: Fold in Mix-ins
Gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and jimmies using a wooden spoon or spatula. The key is gentle folding to maintain the integrity of your mix-ins.

Step 6: Shape and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly underbaked.

Step 7: Cool Completely
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This prevents breaking while ensuring they finish cooking from residual heat.

Exact Timing to make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
• Cooling Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 24-30 cookies
• Active Work Time: 20 minutes

Nutritional Information

Understanding the nutritional profile helps you enjoy these treats mindfully during the holiday season.

Nutrient	Per Cookie (based on 28 cookies)	% Daily Value
Calories	185	9%
Total Fat	8.5g	13%
Saturated Fat	5.2g	26%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	28mg	9%
Sodium	145mg	6%
Total Carbohydrates	27g	9%
Dietary Fiber	0.8g	3%
Total Sugars	18g	–
Added Sugars	16g	32%
Protein	2.5g	5%
Vitamin A	65mcg	7%
Calcium	25mg	2%
Iron	1.1mg	6%

Nutritional data based on USDA food composition databases and manufacturer information for mix-in ingredients.

Healthier Alternatives

Making Christmas kitchen sink cookies more nutritious doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. These modifications maintain the beloved taste while boosting nutritional value.

Original Ingredient	Healthier Alternative	Nutritional Benefit
All-purpose flour	Whole wheat pastry flour (¾ cup) + almond flour (¾ cup)	Increases fiber and protein content
White chocolate chips	Dark chocolate chips (70% cacao)	Higher antioxidants, lower sugar
Potato chips	Roasted chickpeas, crushed	More protein and fiber, less sodium
Regular M&M’s	Sugar-free chocolate candies	Reduces added sugars by 40%
Butter	Coconut oil (solid) or avocado oil butter	Healthier fat profile
Brown sugar	Coconut sugar or monk fruit blend	Lower glycemic index
Pretzels	Toasted nuts or seeds	Higher protein and healthy fats
Jimmies	Unsweetened coconut flakes	No artificial colors, added fiber

Explore more delicious desserts here for additional healthy holiday baking inspiration that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Party Presentation
Arrange Christmas kitchen sink cookies on festive platters with holiday-themed napkins and serve alongside hot cocoa or spiced cider. The colorful mix-ins make them naturally photogenic for holiday gatherings.

Gift-Giving Options
Package these cookies in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for perfect hostess gifts. Their unique appearance and story make them conversation starters at any holiday event.

Dessert Bar Addition
Include them in holiday dessert spreads alongside traditional favorites like sugar cookies and gingerbread. Their casual, fun nature balances more formal desserts beautifully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the Dough
Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough cookies instead of the desired chewy texture that makes Christmas kitchen sink cookies so irresistible.

Using Cold Ingredients
Room temperature butter and eggs are crucial for proper creaming and even mixing. Cold ingredients don’t blend well, leading to uneven texture and poor cookie structure.

Overbaking
These cookies continue cooking on the hot pan after removal from the oven. Remove them when centers still look slightly underbaked to achieve that perfect chewy consistency.

Storing Tips

Short-Term Storage
Store Christmas kitchen sink cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their texture.

Freezing Options
Freeze baked cookies for up to three months in freezer-safe containers. You can also freeze cookie dough balls on baking sheets, then transfer to freezer bags for fresh-baked cookies anytime.

Maintaining Freshness
Add a slice of bread to your storage container to keep cookies soft, or include a small piece of apple for extra moisture. Replace the bread slice every few days to prevent mold.

FAQs

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