Delightful Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Holiday Everything Cookies always become the favorite in my Christmas gift boxes because of their soft middles, crispy edges and exciting pops of chocolate, candy, and crunchy snacks in every mouthful. I created this treat when I wanted something festive but also needed to use up my leftover baking supplies. Everyone picks a different chunk and tries to guess what they found.

I started making these with my niece when we couldn't pick just one cookie type, and now we do this every Christmas Eve - we grab our mixing bowls and check what interesting ingredients we can throw together.

Round Up Your Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Pick a quality brand for better taste and softer texture
• Brown sugar: Either light or dark works to add moisture and caramel notes
• White sugar: Creates that nice crunch on the outside and evens the sweetness
• Eggs: Go with fresh, large ones to bind everything and add some lift
• Vanilla extract: Try to use real vanilla for that warm underlying flavor
• All-purpose flour: Measure by scooping then leveling to avoid tough cookies
• Baking soda: Helps with lift and proper spreading
• Baking powder: Makes sure each cookie rises evenly
• Salt: Use regular table salt in the dough and maybe some flaky salt on top for extra pop
• Chocolate chips: Dark or milk both create those melty spots we love
• Crushed pretzels: The salted kind gives you that addictive salty crunch
• M and Ms or Christmas sprinkles: Add holiday colors and more fun
• Chopped nuts: Walnuts or pecans add another texture layer and buttery taste
• White chocolate chunks or marshmallows: Either one creates sweet, gooey pockets throughout

How to Make It

Make the Cookie Dough:

Grab a big mixing bowl and beat the soft butter with both sugars using an electric mixer for about three minutes. Don't stop until it looks lighter and feels airy, making sure to scrape the bowl halfway. Add eggs one by one, mixing well after each, then pour in the vanilla for that nice background flavor.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until they're mixed up good. This helps your cookies puff up right and turn that pretty golden color.

Combine Wet and Dry:

Slowly add your flour mix to the butter mixture on low speed. Just mix until you can't see any flour anymore. Don't overdo it or your cookies might come out tough. Run your spatula along the bottom to catch any missed spots.

Add the Mix-Ins:

Here comes the best part - gently fold in your chocolate chips, broken pretzels, M&Ms or sprinkles, nuts, and white chocolate or marshmallows. Use a strong spatula to turn the dough a few times so every scoop gets plenty of goodies. Don't mix too hard or you'll break up all the fun bits.

Shape and Chill:

Scoop out balls about one and a half to two tablespoons big. Put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, leaving two inches between each. If you want thicker cookies, stick the whole tray in the fridge for at least ten minutes before baking.

Bake:

Turn your oven to three hundred fifty degrees. Bake your cookies for twelve to fourteen minutes depending on how soft you like the middle. Look for golden edges but centers that still seem a bit soft. Let them sit on the tray for five minutes, then move to a cooling rack.

Finish and Serve:

Once they're cool, you can drizzle some melted white chocolate or add extra decorations if you want. Enjoy them with milk or your favorite holiday drink.

I always add extra marshmallows because they get puffy and golden brown, reminding me of making s'mores by the campfire when I was little. Last year my nephew bit into a surprise pretzel and his face made us all crack up for days.

Flavor Boosters

When you're shopping, try to get fresh nuts and good chocolate. Take a quick taste of your pretzels before adding them in to make sure they aren't soft or stale.

Serving Suggestions

Put your cookies on a holiday plate with some fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a pretty display. Wrap stacks with ribbon for easy gifts for your neighbors or your kids' teachers. You can even make cookie ice cream sandwiches for a fancy holiday treat.

Creative Twists

Try adding some chopped dried cranberries or cherries for a tangy kick. A bit of cinnamon or ginger brings nice warmth. You can swap out M&Ms for crushed candy canes if you want a minty taste that feels like Christmas morning. For something really different, try potato chips or chopped caramels for an amazing sweet and salty combo.

These cookies have become part of our family's holiday memories and they're just right for giving away or enjoying with people you care about. Make some and watch everyone hunt for their favorite hidden treasure.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What gives these cookies their 'kitchen sink' appeal?

These treats get their name because they're crammed with all sorts of goodies like chocolate chips, colorful M&Ms, salty pretzels, crunchy nuts and other sweet or crispy bits you might have around.

→ Can I swap out the candy or nuts?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix it up each time you bake them. Try throwing in white chocolate chunks, fluffy marshmallows, or smashed candy canes for different tastes.

→ How do I get a chewy texture?

Make sure you really beat the soft butter and sugars together well, and don't leave them in the oven too long. That's the secret to keeping them soft and chewy.

→ What's the best way to shape the dough?

Scoop about 1.5–2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie, and make sure to leave enough room between them on the baking tray since they'll spread out.

→ Can these cookies be stored or frozen?

You can keep them fresh in a sealed container for up to a week, or pop the baked cookies in the freezer for a few months to enjoy whenever you want.