Name: Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup salted butter, softened; 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup granulated white sugar; 2 egg yolks, at room temperature; 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled); 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup red and green M&M’s; 1/3 cup white chocolate chips; 1/3 cup pretzel pieces; 1/3 cup potato chip pieces; 2 tbsp red and green jimmies (sprinkles)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a cookie that brings together every festive snack you love in one glorious bite, then the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is exactly what your holiday dessert table needs. These cookies combine salty, sweet, crunchy, and chewy textures all wrapped up in a soft, buttery cookie base. From colorful red and green M&M’s to crunchy pretzels and even potato chips, this recipe truly lives up to its name by throwing in just about everything but the kitchen sink. They’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to be the star of your Christmas cookie exchange.

A group of round cookies spread out on a white marbled surface, each cookie showing a soft golden-brown base with visible chunks of colorful red and green candy pieces. The cookies are topped with broken small pretzel pieces, red and green round candy-coated chocolates, and white round chips. There are red and green thin sprinkles scattered across each cookie, adding extra color and texture. The cookies look soft and thick with a slightly cracked surface, giving a festive and bright appearance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies just right means gathering some simple but carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in building the perfect balance of taste, texture, and festive color that makes these cookies so irresistible.

3/4 cup salted butter, softened: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb with a subtle savory kick.
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed: Keeps the cookies moist and adds a deep, caramel sweetness.
1/4 cup granulated white sugar: Adds crispness and balances the brown sugar’s moisture.
2 egg yolks, at room temperature: For structure, richness, and that soft bite you love in homemade cookies.
2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract: Adds warm, fragrant notes that tie all the flavors together.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): The sturdy base of the cookie dough.
1/2 tsp baking powder: Gives just the right lift for soft but not overly puffy cookies.
1/2 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies spread slightly and develop a golden edge.
1/2 tsp salt: Enhances every flavor and balances the sweetness.
1/2 cup red and green M&M’s: Classic festive colors and a crunchy burst of chocolate.
1/3 cup white chocolate chips: Adds creamy sweetness and a beautiful contrast.
1/3 cup pretzel pieces: Brings salty crunch and a fun surprise in every bite.
1/3 cup potato chip pieces: Introduces an unexpected salty crispness that perfectly complements the sweetness.
2 tbsp red and green jimmies: Festive sprinkles that make these cookies visually irresistible.

How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step is key to ensuring your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, add your softened salted butter along with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together for about two minutes until the texture is light, fluffy, and heavenly. This creates the perfect base for your cookies to be tender and rich.

Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla bean paste or extract on medium speed for another two minutes. The mixture will turn pale and fluffy, signaling that your cookies are going to be delightfully moist and full of flavor.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Combine the all-purpose flour with baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix this into your wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here – you want tender cookies, not tough ones.

Step 5: Fold in the Fun Mix-Ins

This is where the magic of the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe truly comes alive. Gently fold in the red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and festive jimmies. Use a spatula to evenly distribute these tasty bits without breaking them apart too much.

Step 6: Scoop and Optional Decoration

Scoop the cookie dough into about 20 balls and place them two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. For an extra special touch, add a few more of the mix-ins on top of each dough ball. It’s totally optional but makes your cookies look even more festive and inviting.

Step 7: Bake and Shape

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Baking for 10 minutes will give you chewy centers with soft edges, while 12 minutes yields cookies with wonderfully crisp edges. As soon as they come out of the oven, you can use a large circular cookie cutter to gently swirl around the edges for a perfectly shaped cookie – a neat trick to impress your guests and keep everything together.

Step 8: Cool Down

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for five minutes so they firm up, then transfer them to a cooling rack for another 10 minutes. This resting time is ideal for letting the flavors meld and reaching that perfect texture.

How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

The image shows a group of colorful cookies with a light golden-brown base. Each cookie has multiple layers of bright red and green candy pieces embedded on the surface, along with scattered red and green sprinkles adding texture. There are also small white chocolate bits and broken pretzel pieces scattered on top. The cookies have a crumbly texture with visible cracks and a slightly rough surface. The close-up view highlights the varied shapes and colors of the toppings against the warm cookie background, all placed on a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a few extra red and green jimmies or mini M&M’s on your serving platter to keep the festive vibe going. For a decadent touch, drizzle some melted white or dark chocolate over the cookies just before serving.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a simple glass of cold milk or a steaming mug of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. The rich, creamy drinks perfectly complement the mix of salty and sweet flavors in the cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies in a colorful holiday tin or stack them on a rustic wooden board tied with a festive ribbon. For parties, consider serving them alongside other Christmas treats like peppermint bark or gingerbread for a delightful dessert buffet. You could even package them in clear treat bags as charming homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies keep really well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them fresh, soft, and ready for snacking whenever the craving hits again.

Freezing

If you want to prep these cookies ahead or save some for later, freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and transfer them to a freezer-safe container after they’ve hardened. When ready to bake, pop them straight into the oven – no thawing needed. Baked cookies also freeze well wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag for up to a month.

Reheating

Warm frozen or leftover cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a low-temperature oven just until soft and fragrant. This little trick brings back that fresh-baked magic every single time.

FAQs

Can I substitute the mix-ins?

Absolutely! The beauty of this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is how versatile it is. Feel free to swap in nuts, dried fruit, or your favorite candy pieces depending on your preferences and what you have on hand.

Why use both baking powder and baking soda?

Using both ensures your cookies get the perfect rise and browning. Baking powder provides a gentle lift, while baking soda helps spread and crisp the edges, balancing texture beautifully.

Is it okay to use whole eggs instead of just yolks?

You can, but using only yolks results in a richer, chewier cookie. Whole eggs may make the dough slightly lighter and the cookie less dense, so it depends on your texture preference.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour, you can make a gluten-free version. Just make sure the other mix-ins you use are gluten-free too!

How do I keep these cookies soft longer?

Store them airtight with a slice of bread. The bread helps maintain moisture and keeps the cookies soft for a couple of extra days.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe to bring a little extra joy to your holiday baking. With their cheerful colors, bursts of flavor, and that cozy homemade feeling, they’re sure to become a beloved seasonal tradition. So go ahead and mix up this merry batch – your festive celebrations will be all the sweeter because of it!