These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a delightful mix of sweet and salty flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges. Filled with festive red and green M&M's, white chocolate chips, pretzels, and potato chips, these cookies have a little bit of everything to satisfy all your holiday cravings.
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.