If you’re looking for a cookie that truly embodies the joy and abundance of the holiday season, you have to try the Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe. This cookie is a delightful mashup of textures and flavors, packed with everything from sweet chocolate chips and tart dried cranberries to crunchy pretzels and nuts. Every bite offers a little surprise, making it the perfect festive treat to share (or keep all to yourself). It’s called the Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe for good reason: it throws in just about everything you could wish for in a holiday cookie, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples enhanced by a colorful variety of mix-ins that bring flavor, texture, and that holiday cheer we all crave. Each ingredient plays a special role—whether it’s the buttery softness, the sugary sweetness, or the crunch and chew from the add-ins.
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup softened for rich creaminess and tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup to add sweetness and a light crispness.
- Brown sugar: 1 cup packed for moisture and a deep caramel note.
- Eggs: 2 large to bind all those goodies together and give structure.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon for that warm, inviting aroma.
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups to form the cookie’s base, ensuring just the right chewiness.
- Baking soda: 1 teaspoon to help the cookies rise and spread.
- Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon for a bit of lightness and lift.
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 1 cup for that classic melty chocolate burst.
- White chocolate chips: 1 cup to add creamy sweetness and variety.
- Crushed pretzels: 1 cup for a salty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the sweets.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): 1/2 cup to add nutty richness and extra texture.
- Dried cranberries or raisins: 1/2 cup for bursts of tartness and chew.
- Shredded coconut: 1/2 cup lending subtle tropical flair and chewiness.
- Festive sprinkles (optional): 1/2 cup for a playful pop of color and holiday sparkle.
How to Make Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by beating the softened unsalted butter together with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step is key because it incorporates air into the mixture, giving your cookies a wonderfully tender texture. Plus, this is when that sweet, buttery aroma begins to fill your kitchen, which is a great holiday mood-setter.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then pour in the vanilla extract. These ingredients create the foundation of flavor and help hold together all those delicious mix-ins you’re about to add. The vanilla adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Combining the leavening agents with the flour ensures your cookies bake evenly and develop just the right amount of lift and chewiness.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix here; you want the dough to be thick and packed with enough structure to hold all the kitchen sink goodies but still soft enough for tender cookies.
Step 5: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Now the fun part: gently fold in the semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, nuts (if using), dried cranberries or raisins, shredded coconut, and festive sprinkles. Each one brings its own special texture and flavor, transforming this dough into the undoubted star of your holiday cookie platter.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving plenty of space for spreading. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers look set but still soft. Remember, these cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
How to Serve Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle more colored sugar or holiday-themed sprinkles on top of the warm cookies just before they finish baking. You can also drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over cooled cookies to add elegance and an extra layer of indulgence.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a mug of hot cocoa, rich coffee, or a creamy eggnog. The warm beverages complement the cookies’ sweet and salty notes while creating a cozy holiday vibe that’s hard to beat.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond a simple plate: stack your Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe on a tiered holiday serving tray for a stunning centerpiece or arrange them in festive tins layered with parchment paper. You can even package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon as delightful homemade gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies stay fresh for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The mix-ins might soften slightly over time but the flavors meld beautifully, making each bite just as satisfying as the first.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time, the cookie dough freezes wonderfully. Scoop the dough balls onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Bake directly from frozen, just add an extra couple minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy cookies warm again, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This helps refresh their gooey chocolate chips and enhances their comforting aroma.
FAQs
Can I substitute the nuts if I have allergies?
Absolutely! You can either leave the nuts out or swap them for seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a safe crunch without sacrificing texture.
What if I don’t have all the mix-ins?
No worries! This recipe is very forgiving. Use what you have on hand—more chocolate chips, different dried fruits, or even candies work great to customize your cookies.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
It is not necessary with this recipe, but chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help prevent spreading if you prefer thicker cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend, you can enjoy these festive treats without gluten concerns. Just be mindful of the mix-ins’ gluten status.
How do I get the cookies soft and chewy?
Be careful not to overbake—remove the cookies when the edges are golden but centers still look slightly underdone. The residual heat finishes the baking, keeping them irresistibly soft.
Final Thoughts
With all the wonderful flavors and textures packed into every bite, it’s no surprise that this is the Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe for a reason. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies bring holiday magic to your kitchen. Give them a try and watch how quickly they disappear — happy baking and even happier tasting!
Print
Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat packed with an irresistible mix of chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, and festive sprinkles. Soft and chewy with bursts of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or gift-giving. Loaded with a variety of ingredients, each bite delivers a festive and flavorful experience that truly lives up to the Kitchen Sink name.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup festive sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, chopped nuts (if using), dried cranberries or raisins, shredded coconut, and festive sprinkles gently to evenly distribute.
- Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to set the texture.
Notes
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help control spreading for thicker cookies.
- You can substitute nuts with additional dried fruit or omit them for a nut-free version.
- Use festive colored sprinkles for an extra holiday touch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Feel free to customize the mix-ins based on your preference or what you have on hand.
