Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are a fun and festive treat loaded with an irresistible mix of sweet, salty, and crunchy ingredients. Packed with chocolate chips, pretzels, and colorful Valentine’s candies, these cookies are the perfect way to celebrate love while indulging in a little bit of everything!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines a variety of textures and flavors in every bite.
- Easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins.
- A crowd-pleasing treat for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
- Simple to make, even for beginner bakers.
- Perfectly balanced with sweet, salty, and crunchy elements.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips
- Pretzel pieces
- Valentine’s-themed candies (e.g., M&M’s or heart sprinkles)
- Mini marshmallows (optional)
- Crushed potato chips (optional)
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, candies, and any optional ingredients like marshmallows or potato chips.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 24 cookies
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 30-40 minutes
Variations
- Peanut Butter Lovers: Add peanut butter chips or swirl a tablespoon of peanut butter into the dough.
- Nutty Addition: Toss in chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Holiday Themes: Swap the Valentine’s candies for other seasonal treats to make these cookies year-round.
- Coconut Flakes: Mix in shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Dried Fruits: Add dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins for a chewy element.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the cookie dough in scooped portions for up to 3 months. Bake straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute to the baking time.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.
What’s the best way to crush the pretzels and potato chips?
Place them in a resealable bag and crush lightly with a rolling pin for a mix of small and medium-sized pieces.
Can I make these cookies without eggs?
Yes, substitute eggs with flaxseed meal (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water = 1 egg) or applesauce.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well in this recipe.
Can I make them vegan?
Use vegan butter, egg replacements, and dairy-free chocolate chips to make these cookies vegan-friendly.
What other mix-ins work well in this recipe?
Try toffee bits, caramel chunks, or chopped candy bars for more variety.
How can I make the cookies extra chewy?
Use more brown sugar than granulated sugar and avoid overbaking.
Are these cookies freezer-friendly?
Yes, you can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Simply double the ingredients and bake in batches as needed.
Conclusion
Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are the ultimate mashup of flavors and textures, making them a standout treat for Valentine’s Day or any occasion. With their customizable mix-ins and easy preparation, these cookies are a guaranteed hit for kids, adults, and anyone who loves a little sweet and salty in their life. Bake a batch and spread the love—one cookie at a time!
PrintCupid’s Trash Can Cookies
Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are a fun and festive treat that combines a little bit of everything sweet and salty. With pretzels, chocolate chips, candy hearts, and more, these cookies are the ultimate Valentine’s Day snack for anyone who loves a playful mix of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&Ms or Valentine’s candy)
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (preferably pink, red, and white for Valentine’s Day)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
3. Add the “Trash”:
- Gently fold in the crushed pretzels, mini chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates, sprinkles, and nuts (if using).
4. Scoop and Bake:
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly soft.
5. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve with a glass of milk or pack them up for a Valentine’s gift!
Notes
- Customize the “trash” with your favorite mix-ins like crushed potato chips, white chocolate chips, or dried fruit.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.