Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies packed with M&Ms, pretzels, and chips. Easy holiday baking recipe with festive mix-ins everyone loves.

Hi, I’m Linda, and welcome to Tasty at Home—where bold flavors meet everyday kitchens. Last December, while frantically trying to use up random holiday baking supplies before they went stale, I accidentally created what my family now calls “the most addictive Christmas cookies ever.”

Well… let me tell you, sometimes the best recipes happen when you throw caution to the wind and dump everything delicious into one bowl.

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies started as a kitchen disaster waiting to happen. I had leftover M&Ms from decorating gingerbread houses, crushed pretzels from a failed attempt at pretzel bark, and potato chips my kids abandoned for newer snacks.

Instead of letting these ingredients go to waste, I decided to channel my inner rebel baker and toss them all into cookie dough.

The magic happens when sweet meets salty, and crunchy meets chewy. These cookies deliver an unexpected symphony of textures and flavors that keeps everyone guessing what they’ll taste next. Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange or need last-minute treats for Santa, this recipe transforms ordinary pantry items into extraordinary holiday memories.

What Makes These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Special

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies earn their name honestly—they contain everything but the kitchen sink! Unlike traditional Christmas cookies that stick to predictable flavor profiles, these treats embrace chaos and turn it into culinary gold. The secret lies in balancing sweet elements like M&Ms and white chocolate chips with salty components like pretzels and potato chips.

Furthermore, the base cookie dough uses a perfect ratio of brown sugar to white sugar, creating cookies that stay soft and chewy while developing crispy edges. The addition of vanilla bean paste instead of regular extract adds depth and those beautiful vanilla specks that make each cookie look professionally made.

What truly sets these cookies apart is their ability to clean out your pantry while creating something spectacular. You know that random collection of snacks and baking supplies cluttering your shelves? This recipe transforms those odds and ends into crowd-pleasing treats that disappear faster than you can make them.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Christmas Sink Cookies

Bold Mix-Ins That Make the Magic

Shopping Tips for US Grocery Stores

When shopping for these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, head to the baking aisle first for your basics. Most major chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Walmart carry seasonal M&Ms year-round, but Christmas colors appear in October. Stock up early since these limited-edition colors sell out quickly during peak baking season.

For potato chips, choose thick-cut varieties like Kettle Brand or Cape Cod. These chips hold their crunch better during baking compared to thin regular chips. Similarly, select mini pretzels or break larger twisted pretzels into bite-sized pieces for the best texture distribution.

Additionally, vanilla bean paste can be found in the specialty baking section or ordered online. However, pure vanilla extract works perfectly as a substitute if vanilla bean paste proves elusive. The key is using high-quality vanilla for maximum flavor impact.

Ingredient Substitutions for Perfect Results

For International Readers:

• Replace M&Ms with Smarties or colorful chocolate-coated candies
• Substitute potato chips with salted corn chips or rice crackers
• Use digestive biscuits crushed into pieces instead of pretzels

For Dietary Modifications:

• Gluten-free: Replace all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking flour
• Nut-free: These cookies are naturally nut-free when made as directed
• Dairy-free: Substitute vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips

Quality Indicators for Best Results:

• Butter should give slightly to pressure but hold its shape
• Brown sugar should be moist and clump when squeezed
• M&Ms should have vibrant, uncracked shells
• Pretzels should snap cleanly when broken

Equipment and Preparation Steps

Essential Equipment You’ll Need

Before diving into these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, gather your equipment. You’ll need two large baking sheets, parchment paper, an electric mixer, and a large mixing bowl. A cookie scoop isn’t mandatory but creates uniform cookies that bake evenly.

Oops! I learned the hard way that using dark-colored baking sheets causes these cookies to brown too quickly on the bottom. Stick with light-colored aluminum sheets for even browning. If you only have dark pans, reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees and watch timing carefully.

DIY Equipment Alternatives:

• No cookie scoop? Use a large spoon and your hands to form uniform balls
• Missing parchment paper? Lightly grease baking sheets with butter
• No electric mixer? Cream butter and sugars by hand for 5-7 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cookie Perfection

Prepare Your Workspace and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature creates the perfect balance between setting the cookies’ structure and maintaining soft centers. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring paper doesn’t hang over edges where it might burn.

Next, arrange all ingredients on your counter. Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and create better texture. If you forgot to soften butter, cut it into small pieces and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Create the Perfect Cookie Base

Add softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar to your largest mixing bowl. The key word here is “packed”—press that brown sugar firmly into your measuring cup to ensure accurate sweetness levels. Cream these ingredients together using an electric mixer for exactly two minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This creaming process incorporates air into the dough, creating tender cookies rather than dense hockey pucks. You’ll notice the mixture lightens in color and increases in volume—that’s exactly what we want.

Add Eggs and Vanilla for Richness

Beat in egg yolks and vanilla bean paste on medium speed for two full minutes. This extended mixing time develops the cookie’s structure while creating that beautiful pale, fluffy texture. The mixture should look almost like buttercream frosting when properly mixed.

Using only egg yolks instead of whole eggs is my secret weapon for ultra-chewy cookies. Egg whites can make cookies tough and cake-like, while yolks add richness without excess moisture.

Incorporate Dry Ingredients Carefully

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then add to the butter mixture. Mix just until ingredients come together—overmixing develops gluten and creates tough cookies. The dough should look slightly shaggy but hold together when pressed.

Therefore, resist the urge to keep mixing until smooth. A few flour streaks are perfectly fine and will disappear as you add the mix-ins.

Fold in the Magical Mix-Ins

Here’s where these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies get exciting! Add M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and jimmies all at once. Using a sturdy spatula, gently fold ingredients until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

This folding technique prevents overmixing while ensuring every bite contains a variety of textures and flavors. Take your time—this step makes the difference between mediocre and magnificent cookies.

Shape and Arrange for Baking

Scoop dough into 20 equal portions using a large cookie scoop or spoon. Roll each portion lightly between your palms to create uniform balls. Arrange cookies two inches apart on prepared baking sheets—they’ll spread slightly during baking.

Pro tip: Press a few extra M&Ms, chocolate chips, and pretzel pieces onto each cookie’s surface before baking. This creates those Instagram-worthy cookies with visible mix-ins that make everyone ask for your recipe.

Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, depending on your texture preference. Ten minutes yields chewy centers with slightly soft edges, while twelve minutes creates cookies with crispier edges and more structured centers. The cookies should look set around edges but still appear slightly underbaked in centers.

Watch carefully during the final minutes—these cookies can go from perfect to overbaked quickly due to their sugar content and mix-ins.

The Secret to Perfect Round Cookies

Here’s a restaurant trick I learned from watching Thomas Keller’s baking techniques: immediately after removing cookies from the oven, use a large round cookie cutter to gently swirl around each cookie. This motion pulls the edges inward, creating perfectly round cookies while the dough is still pliable.

Let cookies cool on baking sheets for exactly five minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This brief cooling time prevents cookies from breaking while allowing them to finish setting properly.

Expert Tips and Creative Variations

Professional Techniques for Superior Results

Temperature control makes these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies exceptional. Ensure your oven runs accurately by using an oven thermometer—most home ovens run 25 degrees hot or cold. Additionally, rotate baking sheets halfway through cooking time for even browning.

Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create better texture. If you’re short on time, place eggs in warm water for five minutes and microwave butter for 10-15 seconds until barely softened but not melted.

Moreover, measure flour correctly by spooning it into measuring cups and leveling with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag packs flour tightly, resulting in dry, tough cookies.

Five Creative Variations for Every Occasion

Tropical Christmas Cookies: Replace M&Ms with dried pineapple pieces and coconut flakes. Add macadamia nuts for extra richness. These transport you to a beach Christmas celebration.

Spiced Holiday Kitchen Sink: Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom to the dry ingredients. Include crushed gingersnap cookies as one of your mix-ins for double spice impact.

Peppermint Bark Inspired: Substitute crushed candy canes for jimmies and add dark chocolate chips alongside white chocolate. The mint adds refreshing contrast to salty elements.

Breakfast Cookie Version: Include granola clusters, dried cranberries, and mini marshmallows. These work perfectly for Christmas morning with coffee or hot chocolate.

Adult Sophistication: Replace potato chips with dark chocolate-covered espresso beans and add a tablespoon of bourbon to the wet ingredients. Definitely not for the kids!

Storage and Make-Ahead Strategies

Make-Ahead Tips:

• Cookie dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated
• Baked cookies actually improve in flavor after 24 hours as ingredients meld
• Freeze dough balls for spontaneous holiday baking sessions

Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies pair beautifully with cold milk, hot coffee, or peppermint hot chocolate. For adult gatherings, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream for an elevated dessert experience.

Consider creating a cookie platter featuring these alongside Funfetti Christmas Cookies and Almond Meltaway Cookies for variety. The contrasting textures and flavors create an impressive spread that accommodates different preferences.

Furthermore, these cookies make exceptional gifts when packed in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons. Include the recipe card—people always ask for it after tasting these unique treats.

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies FAQs

Final Thoughts on These Amazing Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies prove that sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most memorable results. From that chaotic December afternoon when I threw together leftover holiday ingredients to watching these cookies become my family’s most requested treat, this recipe has brought joy to countless celebrations.

The beauty of these Everything Christmas Cookies lies in their adaptability and forgiving nature. Whether you follow the recipe exactly or substitute based on your pantry contents, you’ll create something delicious and uniquely yours. They embody the spirit of Christmas—bringing together different elements to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

So grab those random bags of snacks, raid your baking supplies, and create your own Christmas magic. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your colorful creation and tag us on social media—we love seeing how our recipes inspire your kitchen adventures!

Serve these alongside a glass of cold milk and watch as they disappear faster than Santa’s cookies on Christmas Eve. After all, the best recipes are the ones that bring people together, spark conversations, and create lasting memories.

For more festive cookie inspiration, try our Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies or Ultimate Candy Cane Cookies to complete your holiday baking lineup.

Tasty at Home – Where bold flavors meet everyday kitchens.

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies combine festive M&Ms, salty pretzels, crunchy potato chips, and sweet white chocolate chips in a soft, chewy cookie dough. A perfect balance of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy, they’re a holiday treat that transforms leftover pantry items into irresistible Christmas magic.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Cooling Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 20 cookies

Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Electric mixer
• mixing bowls
• spatula
• Cookie scoop
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

  

Cookie Dough Base

• ¾ cup Salted butter, softened 170g
• ¾ cup Light brown sugar, packed 165g
• ¼ cup Granulated white sugar 50g
• 2 Large egg yolks
• 2 tsp Vanilla bean paste 10ml
• 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour 190g
• ½ tsp Baking powder 2g
• ½ tsp Baking soda 2g
• ½ tsp Salt 3g

Mix-Ins

• ½ cup Red and green M&Ms
• ⅓ cup White chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup Pretzel pieces
• ⅓ cup Potato chip pieces
• 2 tbsp Red and green jimmies

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cream softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg yolks and vanilla bean paste until mixture looks pale and creamy.
• In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined.
• Fold in M&Ms, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chips, and jimmies.
• Scoop dough into 20 balls, arrange 2 inches apart on baking sheets, and press a few extra mix-ins on top.
• Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set and centers look slightly underbaked.
• Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Notes

Variations include peppermint bark (add crushed candy canes), spiced holiday (add cinnamon and nutmeg), or tropical (use dried pineapple and coconut). Freeze dough balls for up to 2 months for make-ahead baking.

Keyword Christmas Cookies, kitchen sink cookies