Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

The holiday season has a way of filling kitchens with warmth, laughter, and a little bit of chaos. One chilly afternoon, the idea of cookies that held every festive favorite, from colorful candies to salty crunches, suddenly seemed irresistible. I pulled out my mixing bowls and began combining butter, sugars, and a touch of vanilla, watching the dough come together with rich aromas that instantly made the kitchen feel like a holiday wonderland.

As I folded in M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzels, and even potato chips, my kids hovered nearby, eyes wide and hands itching to sneak a taste. Each mix-in added a surprise, making every bite a little adventure. Dropping the dough onto baking sheets, I imagined how these cookies would fill the cookie jar and the room with cheerful sweetness.

When the first batch came out of the oven, the cookies were perfectly golden with soft, chewy centers and edges just crisp enough to offer texture. Sprinkles added that final festive touch, creating treats that were as playful as they were indulgent. These Soft Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies became a small tradition in our home, a mix of flavors, colors, and holiday joy in every bite.

Short Description

Soft Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies packed with candies, chocolate, pretzels, and festive sprinkles. Chewy, colorful, and full of holiday cheer in every bite.

Key Ingredients

For the Dough Base

• ¾ cup salted butter, softened

• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 2 egg yolks, at room temperature

• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

Mix-Ins

• ½ cup red and green M&Ms

• ⅓ cup white chocolate chips

• ⅓ cup pretzel pieces

• ⅓ cup potato chip pieces

• 2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles (jimmies)

Tools Needed

• Mixing bowls

• Electric mixer or stand mixer

• Spatula

• Cookie scoop or tablespoon

• Baking sheets

• Parchment paper or silicone mats

• Wire cooling rack

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheets
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add egg yolks and vanilla. Beat on medium for 2 minutes until creamy and pale.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients on low speed until just combined.

Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Gently fold in M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chips, and sprinkles until evenly distributed.

Step 6: Portion the Dough
Scoop dough into 20 balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, spacing 2 inches apart on baking sheets.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Bake 10–12 minutes. For chewier cookies, bake 10 minutes; for crisper edges, bake 12 minutes.

Step 8: Optional Finishing Touches
Immediately after baking, use a cookie cutter to gently swirl the cookies into perfect rounds.

Step 9: Cool and Store
Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft and chewy texture with slightly crisp edges

Sweet, salty, and chocolatey flavor combination

Fun and colorful for holiday gatherings

Easy to make in batches

Great for sharing or gifting

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overmixing Dough
Can make cookies tough.
Solution: Mix until just combined.

Cookies Spread Too Much
Too much butter or warm dough.
Solution: Chill dough 10–15 minutes before baking.

Undercooked Centers
Edges golden but centers raw.
Solution: Bake an extra 1–2 minutes or check consistency with a toothpick.

Mix-Ins Sink
Heavy items like pretzels or chips sink.
Solution: Fold gently at the end and slightly press mix-ins on top before baking.

Cookies Stick to Sheet
Dough sticks despite parchment.
Solution: Use a silicone mat or lightly grease parchment.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve fresh with milk, hot cocoa, or holiday tea

Arrange on festive plates or cookie platters for parties and gifting

Perfect for sharing at family gatherings

Great as a treat for Santa

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days

Reheat gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore softness

FAQs

1. Can I use salted or unsalted butter?
Either works; adjust added salt if using salted butter.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

3. Can I substitute the mix-ins?
Yes, nuts, dried fruit, or other chocolates work.

4. Can I freeze the cookies?
Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months in an airtight container.

5. Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
Yes, adjust baking time slightly for size; smaller cookies may take 8–10 minutes.

Tips & Tricks

Slightly chill dough to prevent spreading.

Gently press heavy mix-ins on top before baking for even distribution.

Use festive sprinkles to enhance holiday presentation.

Recipe Variations

Nutty Holiday Version: Replace pretzels with chopped walnuts or pecans; omit potato chips.

Chocolate Lover’s Version: Add ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ cup white chocolate chips, reduce M&Ms to ¼ cup.

Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend; bake at same temperature but check early.

Final Thoughts

Baking Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies transforms a simple kitchen into a holiday haven, filled with colors, textures, and scents that make everyone smile. Every bite offers a playful mix of sweet, salty, and chocolatey surprises that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

These cookies are ideal for gatherings, gifts, or a quiet afternoon treat with a cup of tea. Soft, chewy, and delightfully festive, they bring warmth and joy to the season in a single, perfect bite.