If you’re in the mood for a truly show-stopping holiday treat, the Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe has everything you could want baked into a single cookie. Packed with an irresistible mix of chocolate chips, peppermint, toffee, pretzels, and nuts, these cookies bring together a delightful balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures. They’re like a festive flavor party in every bite, perfect for sharing with family, gifting to friends, or just savoring with a cozy cup of cocoa.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Though these cookies boast a treasure trove of mix-ins, the basic ingredients are simple and essential to achieving that perfect holiday cookie texture and flavor. Each component, from the butter that makes them tender to the cinnamon that adds warmth, plays a crucial role in making this recipe a winner.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a rich, creamy base for tenderness and flavor.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie crispness.
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle caramel note.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add structure.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy yet tender foundation of the cookie.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and spread just enough.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Works with baking soda to ensure lightness and texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds that classic holiday spice touch.
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats: Contribute chewiness and wholesome texture.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: For that classic melty, chocolatey goodness.
- ½ cup white chocolate chips: Adds a creamy, sweet contrast to the dark chocolate.
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies: Injects a cooling, festive zing.
- ½ cup holiday M&Ms: Brings cheerful color and a candy-coated crunch.
- ½ cup toffee bits: Adds buttery crunch and caramel sweetness.
- ½ cup chopped pretzels: Lends a salty, crunchy surprise.
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): Provides a nutty crunch for added depth.
How to Make Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This setup ensures even baking and makes cleanup a breeze, so you’re off to a great start.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for that soft and tender cookie crumb that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: 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. These wet ingredients create structure and elevate the cookie’s rich flavor profile.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mixing these dry elements ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and that warm spice boost.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing just until everything comes together. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so gentle folding is your friend here.
Step 6: Fold in the Mix-ins
Now the fun part: stir in oats, semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, holiday M&Ms, toffee bits, pretzels, and nuts if using. Each mix-in is like a little burst of holiday magic embedded inside your cookie.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop generous dough balls about 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are just set, giving you that perfect soft-yet-chewy texture.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This rest period lets them firm up just right, so every bite holds all those delightful textures.
How to Serve Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, press a few more holiday M&Ms or crushed peppermint pieces onto the top of each cookie just before baking. This not only boosts holiday vibes but adds an inviting pop of color and crunch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a classic glass of cold milk, hot cocoa topped with whipped cream, or even a spiced holiday latte. Serving them alongside your favorite warm beverage makes for a perfect cozy treat break.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or parties, stack cookies tied with a colorful ribbon or place them in a clear jar layered with festive ribbons and sprigs of holly. You can also place individual cookies in decorative cellophane bags for an easy, charming cookie exchange gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay chewy and delicious for up to 5 days, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either baked or as dough balls. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw and warm slightly to revive their just-baked charm.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, simply microwave a cookie for 10 to 15 seconds or pop a few in a warm oven for a couple minutes. This revives the melty chocolate and soft chewy texture in a flash.
FAQs
Can I substitute nuts if I have allergies?
Absolutely! You can leave out the nuts altogether or swap them for additional pretzels, seeds, or dried fruit like cranberries for a nut-free version that’s just as delicious.
What other mix-ins can I use in this recipe?
This Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe is incredibly flexible! Try adding mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, dried cherries, or even crushed candy canes to make it your own festive masterpiece.
How do I make sure the cookies don’t spread too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and measure your flour accurately. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can also help the cookies hold their perfect chunky shape.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
For the best texture, stick with old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats tend to create a softer, less chewy cookie, which changes the expected texture of this recipe.
Are these cookies suitable for making ahead for holiday parties?
Definitely! These cookies store well and can be made up to a few days in advance or frozen. They’re great for meal prepping ahead so you can enjoy stress-free entertaining.
Final Thoughts
If you want to bring a festive, fun, and flavor-packed treat to your holiday festivities, the Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe should be your go-to. It’s a joyful mashup of everything wonderful about holiday baking – from the mix-ins to the warm spices. I promise once you bake them, they’ll become a beloved tradition in your household too!
Print
Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies are a festive, loaded treat packed with a delicious mix of oats, chocolate chips, peppermint candies, toffee bits, and crunchy pretzels. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these soft and chewy cookies combine a variety of textures and flavors, making every bite a delightful surprise.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
- ½ cup holiday M&Ms
- ½ cup toffee bits
- ½ cup chopped pretzels
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy. This creates a smooth base for your cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract, which adds depth of flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently and mixing just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Stir in the rolled oats, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, holiday M&Ms, toffee bits, chopped pretzels, and nuts if using, ensuring an even distribution.
- Form and Bake Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers are set.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they retain their shape.
Notes
- You can swap in other favorite mix-ins such as dried cranberries, coconut flakes, or mini marshmallows to customize the cookies.
- For extra holiday flair, press a few additional M&Ms or crushed peppermint pieces on top of each dough ball before baking.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies also freeze well; freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
