Name: Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-486648H46M25S
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup salted butter, softened – The base of the cookie dough, providing richness and flavor.; ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed – Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor.; ¼ cup granulated white sugar – Balances the sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure.; 2 egg yolks, at room temperature – Ensures a chewy texture and adds richness.; 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract – Enhances the flavor with warm vanilla tones.; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled – Provides structure and holds the cookies together.; ½ tsp baking powder – Helps the cookies rise and gives them a light, tender texture.; ½ tsp baking soda – Adds a bit of spread and crispness to the edges.; ½ tsp salt – Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.; ½ cup red and green M&M’s – For a festive touch of color and chocolate flavor.; ⅓ cup white chocolate chips – Adds sweetness and creamy texture.; ⅓ cup pretzel pieces – Brings a salty, crunchy contrast to the sweetness.; ⅓ cup potato chip pieces – For a surprise crunch and saltiness.; 2 tbsp red and green jimmies (sprinkles) – Adds a holiday-themed decorative touch.

The holiday season is the perfect time to bring out all the stops with festive treats, and Kitchen Sink Cookies are just the dessert to impress. Packed with red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, and even potato chips, these cookies bring together sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy in one incredible bite. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or cozying up by the fire, these cookies offer the perfect holiday indulgence. Let’s dive into how to make these delightful, festive cookies that truly have everything but the kitchen sink!

Ingredients for Kitchen Sink Cookies

One of the best things about these cookies is their unique combination of ingredients that provide a delicious mix of flavors and textures. Here’s what you’ll need:

Cookie Dough Base:

¾ cup salted butter, softened – The base of the cookie dough, providing richness and flavor.
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed – Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor.
¼ cup granulated white sugar – Balances the sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure.
2 egg yolks, at room temperature – Ensures a chewy texture and adds richness.
2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract – Enhances the flavor with warm vanilla tones.

Dry Ingredients:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled – Provides structure and holds the cookies together.
½ tsp baking powder – Helps the cookies rise and gives them a light, tender texture.
½ tsp baking soda – Adds a bit of spread and crispness to the edges.
½ tsp salt – Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.

Mix-ins:

½ cup red and green M&M’s – For a festive touch of color and chocolate flavor.
⅓ cup white chocolate chips – Adds sweetness and creamy texture.
⅓ cup pretzel pieces – Brings a salty, crunchy contrast to the sweetness.
⅓ cup potato chip pieces – For a surprise crunch and saltiness.
2 tbsp red and green jimmies (sprinkles) – Adds a holiday-themed decorative touch.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

Electric mixer
Large mixing bowl
Spatula
Baking sheets
Parchment paper
Cooling rack
Cookie scoop (optional, but helpful for evenly sized cookies)
Circular cookie cutter (optional, for shaping cookies)

How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookies

Making these cookies is both fun and simple! Just follow these step-by-step instructions to create festive, delicious cookies that will be the star of any holiday treat platter.

1. Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated white sugar. Use an electric mixer to cream them together for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.

3. Add the Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix on medium speed for another 2 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy. This step helps to incorporate air, making the cookies soft and chewy.

4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.

5. Fold in the Festive Mix-ins

Using a spatula, gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chips, and sprinkles. Be sure to distribute them evenly throughout the dough for a perfect bite in every cookie.

6. Form the Cookie Dough Balls

Scoop the dough into 20 balls (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and place them on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are about 2 inches apart. If you want your cookies to look even more festive, press a few extra mix-ins onto the tops of the dough balls before baking.

7. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. For chewier centers, opt for 10 minutes; for crispier edges, go for 12 minutes. The cookies will look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven, but they will firm up as they cool.

8. Optional: Shape the Cookies

If you want perfectly round cookies, use a large circular cookie cutter to swirl around the edges of each cookie immediately after they come out of the oven. This helps shape them into uniform, round cookies.

9. Cool the Cookies

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely, about 10 minutes.

Pro Tips for Perfect Kitchen Sink Cookies

Use room temperature ingredients – This ensures even mixing and a smooth cookie dough.
Don’t overmix the dough – Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough.
Customize the mix-ins – Feel free to get creative! You can swap out the M&M’s for other holiday candies or even add different nuts for extra crunch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using melted butter – The butter should be softened, not melted. Melted butter can cause the cookies to spread too much.
Overbaking – The cookies may look underdone in the center when they come out of the oven, but they will continue to firm up as they cool.
Skipping the salt – Salt is essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors.

Serving and Presentation Ideas for Kitchen Sink Cookies

Presentation is key when serving festive cookies! Arrange your Kitchen Sink Cookies on a decorative holiday plate or tiered dessert stand for a festive touch. You can also sprinkle a few extra red and green jimmies on top for added flair.

Storing Your Kitchen Sink Cookies

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing the baked cookies for up to 2 months. To freeze, simply place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or bag. Let them thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Recipe Variations and Swaps

If you want to switch things up, try some of these fun variations:

Different chocolate chips – Swap white chocolate chips for milk, dark, or even peanut butter chips.
Add nuts – Try adding crushed pecans or walnuts for an extra crunch.
Holiday candies – Use holiday-themed candies like crushed candy canes or peppermint bark for a minty twist.

Kitchen Sink Cookies FAQ

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just make sure to bring the dough to room temperature before scooping and baking.

Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

What if I don’t have salted butter?
You can use unsalted butter, just add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt to the dough to make up for the lack of salt.

Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe