Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes | Servings: 20 cookies | Difficulty: Easy
These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat that combines everything delicious into one incredible bite! Packed with festive red and green M&Ms, white chocolate chips, crunchy pretzel pieces, salty potato chip crumbs, and colorful sprinkles, these cookies deliver the perfect sweet and salty combination that will have everyone asking for the recipe. The beauty of kitchen sink cookies lies in their delightful unpredictability – every bite offers a different combination of textures and flavors. Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, baking with kids, or satisfying those holiday cravings, these cookies require no chilling time and can be ready from mixing bowl to cooling rack in just 30 minutes.
Table of Contents
Everything-But-the-Kitchen-Sink Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- 3/4 cup salted butter – softened to room temperature for perfect creaming
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar – packed, adds rich molasses flavor
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar – balances sweetness and texture
- 2 large egg yolks – room temperature, creates tender cookies
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste – or pure vanilla extract for best flavor
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, never scooped
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder – helps cookies rise slightly
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda – creates perfect texture
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – enhances all flavors
The Fun Mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms – festive Christmas colors
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips – high-quality like Ghirardelli recommended
- 1/3 cup pretzel pieces – broken into small chunks for crunch
- 1/3 cup potato chip pieces – crushed, adds unexpected salty element
- 2 tablespoons red and green jimmies – colorful sprinkles that won’t melt
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Equipment
- Electric mixer
- Large mixing bowls
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
- Wire cooling racks
- Large round cookie cutter (optional)
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 3/4 cup salted butter softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 egg yolks at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup pretzel pieces
- 1/3 cup potato chip pieces
- 2 tablespoons red and green jimmies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream softened salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
- Add in egg yolks and vanilla and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is pale in color and fluffy.
- Add in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix until just combined.
- Add in the M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces and sprinkles. Gently fold in with a spatula until everything is combined.
- Scoop the dough into 20 balls. Arrange two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Optional: Add a few extra mix-ins on top of each dough ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes (10 for chewier centers, 12 for crisper edges).
- Optional: When cookies are straight out of the oven, use a large circular cookie cutter to gently swirl around each cookie for perfect circular shape.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack for another 10 minutes.
Notes
Simple Steps to Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Perfection
Create the Perfect Base
- Prep for Success (2 minutes): Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy removal and even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars (2 minutes): In a large bowl, cream softened salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients (2 minutes): Beat in egg yolks and vanilla bean paste on medium speed for 2 minutes until mixture is pale in color and fluffy. This step is crucial for texture!
Build the Loaded Dough
- Mix Dry Ingredients (1 minute): Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined – don’t overmix to keep cookies tender.
- Fold in the Magic (3 minutes): Add M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and sprinkles. Gently fold in with a spatula until everything is evenly distributed.
Bake to Golden Perfection
- Shape and Space (5 minutes): Scoop dough into 20 balls, arranging 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. For prettier cookies, press a few extra mix-ins on top of each dough ball.
- Bake Just Right (10-12 minutes): Bake 10 minutes for chewier centers or 12 minutes for crisper edges. Don’t overbake – edges should be lightly golden.
- Perfect the Shape (Optional): While cookies are hot from the oven, use a large round cookie cutter to gently swirl around each cookie, creating perfect circular shapes.
- Cool Properly (15 minutes): Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack for 10 more minutes.
Pro Tips & Holiday Variations
Love holiday baking? Try our Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu for an elegant dessert, or our Honey Bun Cake Recipe for more sweet treats.
Expert Success Secrets
- Measure flour properly – spoon into cup and level, never scoop directly
- Beat eggs until pale and fluffy – this creates the perfect cookie texture
- Don’t skip the hot cookie shaping – creates picture-perfect round cookies
- Add extra mix-ins on top before baking for bakery-style appearance
Creative Variations
- Substitute mix-ins: Try butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or Heath bar chunks
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or almonds work wonderfully
- Different chocolates: Use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips
- Extra salty: Increase pretzel and potato chip pieces for more crunch
Perfect for pairing with our Mexican Lasagna Recipe for a complete holiday feast spread, or our Greek Chicken Flatbread for savory balance.
Perfect for Holiday Sharing
These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or gift-giving. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze baked cookies for up to 2 weeks. The dough can also be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 weeks – just bring to room temperature before baking.
Great for involving kids in holiday baking since all the colorful mix-ins make the process extra fun! For more family-friendly recipes, check out our Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe or Tex-Mex Steak Bowls.
For more holiday baking inspiration and cookie recipes, Follow me on Pinterest where I share daily festive treats and seasonal favorites!
FAQ SECTION for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Can I substitute different mix-ins?
Absolutely! Try butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, nuts, or Heath bar chunks. Just substitute one mix-in for another to keep the cookie balance. The recipe can handle lots of creativity!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Just bring to room temperature before baking. Perfect for holiday meal planning like our Mexican Lasagna Recipe.
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
This usually happens from too much butter, not enough flour, or warm dough. Make sure to measure flour properly by spooning and leveling, and chill dough for 30 minutes if your kitchen is warm.
Are these good for baking with kids?
Absolutely! The colorful mix-ins make these super fun for kids to help with. They love adding all the different ingredients. Great family activity like our Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe.
Can I make these gluten-free?
While not tested in the original recipe, you could try substituting with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Results may vary slightly in texture.