These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies combine the best of both worlds—sweet and salty flavors in a festive holiday treat. With red and green M&M's, white chocolate, pretzels, potato chips, and sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings and gifting. Quick to make and fun to customize, they bring holiday cheer in every bite.
INGREDIENTS
- Salted Butter (softened): Adds richness to the dough, helping create a soft and chewy texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and a slight molasses flavor, which complements the holiday spices and adds moisture.
- Granulated White Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a balanced flavor with the brown sugar.
- Egg Yolks (room temperature): Adds richness and helps bind the dough for a soft, chewy texture.
- Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies with warm, aromatic vanilla notes.
- All-Purpose Flour (spooned and leveled): Forms the base of the dough, providing structure and helping the cookies hold their shape.
Additional Ingredients
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Leavening agents that create a light, soft texture in the cookies.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
- Red and Green M&M's: Festive chocolate candies that add color and a touch of sweetness.
- White Chocolate Chips: Adds a creamy sweetness that contrasts with the salty mix-ins.
- Pretzel Pieces: Provides a crunchy, salty contrast to the sweet flavors in the cookie.
- Potato Chip Pieces: Adds a unique salty flavor and crunch to the cookies, making them extra special.
- Red and Green Jimmies: Festive sprinkles that add a holiday touch to each cookie.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture for about 2 minutes until it’s light and fluffy.
- Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla
- Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract (or paste) to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Continue mixing on medium speed for another 2 minutes, or until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix the dough.
- Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins
- Using a spatula, gently fold in the red and green M&M's, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Step 6: Shape the Cookies
- Scoop the dough into 20 equal balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. For extra visual appeal, press a few extra M&M's, pretzel pieces, or sprinkles on top of each dough ball.
- Step 7: Bake the Cookies
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly soft. Bake for 10 minutes for chewier cookies, or 12 minutes for a crispier texture.
- Step 8: Shape with a Cookie Cutter (Optional)
- For perfectly round cookies, use a large circular cookie cutter to swirl around each cookie immediately after baking. This helps shape them into perfect circles.
- Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serve these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies warm with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa for a cozy holiday treat.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their freshness and chewy texture.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Helpful Notes
- If you prefer a softer cookie, remove them from the oven right as the edges start to set. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- For extra texture, add a few extra M&M's, pretzel pieces, or sprinkles on top of each dough ball before baking.
- Customize with your favorite holiday candies or colored sprinkles for other festive occasions beyond Christmas.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Christina Tosi recommends incorporating a mix of textures, like pretzels and chips, to create layers of flavor in cookies.
- Chef Dorie Greenspan suggests creaming butter and sugar until fluffy to help cookies spread evenly and develop a tender crumb.
- Chef Jacques Torres advises baking in smaller batches and letting dough chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These cookies are a unique holiday treat, combining sweet and salty flavors in every bite.
- They’re visually festive with red and green M&M's and sprinkles, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges.
- Each cookie offers a delightful crunch from the pretzels and chips, paired with a chewy cookie base that everyone will love.
Variations
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a richer flavor profile.
- Substitute potato chips with cornflakes or crushed graham crackers for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a subtle spice that complements the holiday season.