The holidays are my favorite time to bake, and Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the kind of treat that came straight from a craving and turned into a tradition. One snowy evening, I had a few leftover ingredients from holiday baking; crushed peppermint, pretzels, chocolate chips, and even red and green M&M’s. Tossed them all into the dough and hoped for the best. What came out of the oven was pure magic.
These cookies quickly became a festive staple at our house. They’re not just sweet, they’re salty, crunchy, chewy, and colorful. It’s like Christmas exploded in cookie form! If you’re someone who loves a cookie that surprises you in every bite, you’re going to fall hard for this one. Whether you’re adding them to a Christmas cookie box or wrapping them up as a homemade gift, they’re guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.
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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cookie Mash-Up
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate treat for indecisive dessert lovers. Can’t choose between sweet or salty? Crunchy or soft? These cookies say, “Why not all of it?” What makes them unique is how customizable they are. You can toss in your favorite candies, nuts, or leftovers from your pantry and still end up with a batch of crowd-pleasing deliciousness.
Perfect for cookie swaps, gift baskets, or just snacking by the tree, these cookies are festive in flavor and fun in presentation. The dough base is buttery, soft, and reliable; like the ultimate chocolate chip cookie that decided to get dressed up for Christmas. If you love cookies like Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies, this one’s for you.
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Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are festive, chewy, and packed with everything sweet and salty; perfect for holiday gifting or a cookie swap.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups total mix-ins (M&M’s, pretzels, peppermint bits, white chocolate, toffee, etc.)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet until just combined.
5. Fold in your mix-ins: M&M’s, pretzels, white chocolate, peppermint.
6. Scoop dough into 2-tbsp balls. Place on prepared sheets.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes or until golden around the edges.
8. Let cool on tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Notes
Chill dough for 30–60 minutes for thicker cookies.
Feel free to switch mix-ins based on your holiday pantry.
Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Ingredients for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
This is where the real fun begins. The beauty of these cookies is that you can get creative, but here’s a base list to guide you:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Vanilla extract | 2 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 2 1/2 cups |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Mix-ins (M&M’s, pretzels, crushed peppermint, toffee bits, etc.) | 2 cups total |
The holiday colors and mix of textures make these cookies visually appealing and incredibly tasty. If you love festive baking, pair this with Frosted Christmas Brownies for your dessert table.
How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars together until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients.
- Fold in all your mix-ins. Try a combo of red & green M&M’s, chopped pretzels, and white chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough (about 2 tablespoons per cookie) onto baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are golden. Let cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring.
They’re even better the next day! That said, they never last long in our house. For another soft cookie favorite, don’t miss these Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies.
Tips and Variations for the Perfect Batch
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes for thicker cookies that don’t spread.
- Customize the mix-ins based on what you love: caramel chunks, potato chips, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for extra flavor contrast.
- Use a cookie scoop to get uniform cookies every time.
Want more seasonal twists? These Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are another cozy option worth trying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can refrigerate the dough for up to 72 hours or freeze the cookie balls for up to 3 months.
Do I need to chill the dough?
It’s optional but recommended for best texture. Chilled dough gives thicker, chewier cookies.
What are the best mix-ins for these cookies?
A mix of chocolate chips, festive candies, pretzels, and toffee bits is classic. Feel free to toss in seasonal extras like peppermint or cranberries.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure your mix-ins are also gluten-free.
Final Bite
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are fun, flavorful, and wildly flexible. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a party, or just raiding your pantry for inspiration, these cookies never disappoint. They’re the definition of festive comfort, wrapped in sprinkles and joy. Pair them with a cozy drink and maybe a Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffle for the full holiday effect. Trust me, you’ll want to double the batch, these disappear fast.
For more easy and satisfying recipes, don’t hesitate to join me on Pinterest – where good food meets great company!







