Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are a delightful and festive treat that combines all your favorite holiday flavors into one chewy, crunchy, and irresistible cookie. Packed with a variety of mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, pretzels, and candy, these cookies are perfect for using up leftover pantry items while creating something extraordinary.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Versatile: You can customize the mix-ins to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
• Festive: The colorful candy and fun mix-ins make these cookies ideal for holiday gatherings.
• Easy to Make: No complicated steps—just mix, bake, and enjoy!
• Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for cookie swaps, holiday parties, or gifting.
• Great for Leftovers: Use up bits of candy, nuts, and other baking staples.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Flour, baking soda, and salt
• Butter and sugar (both granulated and brown sugar)
• Eggs and vanilla extract
• Mix-ins: Chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, holiday M&Ms, chopped nuts, toffee bits, or any combination you prefer

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
4. Add Mix-Ins: Fold in your chosen mix-ins, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
5. Shape the Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
6. Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. The centers will appear slightly soft but will set as they cool.
7. Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: About 24 cookies
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
• Total Time: 25–30 minutes

Variations

• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
• Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free butter and chocolate chips.
• Different Mix-Ins: Try white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, crushed peppermint candies, or mini marshmallows.
• Spiced Cookies: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra holiday flavor.
• Extra Crunch: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
• Reheating: Warm cookies in a microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore their chewy texture.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature before baking.

2. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.

3. What are some good nut-free mix-in options?

Try pretzels, shredded coconut, dried fruit, or nut-free candies.

4. How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.

5. Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Just ensure your mixer and bowls are large enough to handle the increased volume.

6. What if I don’t have a cookie scoop?

Use a tablespoon or roll the dough into balls with your hands.

7. Can I use whole wheat flour?

Yes, but the cookies may have a denser texture. Consider using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour.

8. Are these cookies suitable for gifting?

Yes! Package them in festive tins or bags for a thoughtful holiday gift.

9. Can I omit the toffee bits?

Of course. You can replace them with an equal amount of another mix-in or simply leave them out.

10. How do I achieve the perfect chewy texture?

Avoid overbaking. Remove the cookies when the edges are set, and the centers are still slightly soft.

Conclusion

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat for cookie lovers. With their chewy centers, crisp edges, and festive mix-ins, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. Perfect for sharing with family and friends or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa, these cookies are a holiday tradition in the making.

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