If you’re looking for a cookie that truly captures the spirit of the holidays in every single bite, look no further than these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe. Overflowing with chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows, colorful candies, and a touch of dried fruit, this cookie is exactly what it sounds like—a delightful mix of all your favorite festive ingredients tossed together to create something magical. Each bite offers a perfect balance of gooey, crunchy, sweet, and tart, making these cookies the star of any holiday gathering or a comforting treat to enjoy alongside a warm cup of cocoa by the fire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Even though Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe brings together a lot of mix-ins, the base ingredients are simple and essential to creating the perfect cookie texture and flavor. Each one plays a crucial role in making these cookies chewy, soft, and loaded with festive flair.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that creates the perfect cookie structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft and chewy bite.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the cozy flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and ensures tenderness in every bite.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with that classic cookie crisp edge.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor for depth.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the dough together while keeping it soft and chewy.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and amplifies the sweetness of the cookies.
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips: Classic chocolate pockets that melt perfectly in your mouth.
- 1 cup white chocolate chips: Adds creamy, festive contrast to the semisweet chips.
- 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds): Provide that satisfying crunch and a toasty flavor.
- ½ cup M&Ms or holiday candy-coated chocolates: Bring festive color and a fun bite of candy-striped joy.
- ½ cup mini marshmallows: Melt into gooey clouds of sweetness throughout the cookies.
- ½ cup toffee bits (optional): Adds a buttery crunch that pairs beautifully with the chocolate.
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins: A tart and chewy surprise that keeps things interesting.
- Optional: A pinch of cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth and a holiday scent that’s irresistible.
How to Make Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats—this helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Combine your flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisking them together first ensures these leavening agents are evenly distributed so every bite has that perfect chew and rise.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a larger bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to incorporating air, which creates that soft, tender cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the cookie dough with classic sweet warmth that feels like home.
Step 5: Blend Dry Ingredients with Wet
Slowly add your flour mixture into the butter mixture. Stir just until combined to avoid overmixing, which keeps the cookies soft instead of tough.
Step 6: Fold in the Festive Mix-Ins
Now here’s the fun part—fold in all those fabulous extras: semisweet and white chocolate chips, nuts, mini marshmallows, M&Ms, toffee bits, dried cranberries, and a pinch of cinnamon if using. Each brings its own texture and flavor to the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe.
Step 7: Scoop and Space the Dough
Use a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon to drop generous spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches between each one so they can spread without touching.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just turning golden. They should still be soft in the center; they’ll firm up as they cool, giving you a perfectly chewy texture.
Step 9: Cool Before Enjoying
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This resting time helps them set up without falling apart. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or enjoy warm if you prefer gooey treats.
Step 10: Store or Serve
Serve your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe fresh on a festive platter or store them in an airtight container for up to a week to keep their chewy goodness intact.
How to Serve Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate on top for an elegant, snowy effect. You can also top some cookies with extra nuts or mini marshmallows just before baking to make them even more visually festive.
Side Dishes
Pair these joyful cookies with hot chocolate or a glass of cold milk to balance the rich sweetness. For a grown-up twist, serve alongside warm spiced mulled wine or a cup of cinnamon-infused tea for a cozy holiday treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a tiered holiday platter for a stunning dessert centerpiece. You could also package them in festive tins or cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons to share as heartfelt holiday gifts with friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for about a week, perfect for savoring throughout the holidays.
Freezing
Want to prep ahead? Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for that just-baked feeling.
Reheating
To revive your cookies’ soft texture, warm them in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This helps melt the chocolate and marshmallows back to their irresistible gooey perfection.
FAQs
Can I customize the mix-ins in Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for mixing and matching your favorite holiday treats. Swap nuts, candy, or dried fruit based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, you can try substituting a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup for all-purpose flour to accommodate gluten-sensitive guests.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for about 5 to 7 days at room temperature. Beyond that, they may start to dry out but can always be refreshed with a little warming.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You sure can! In fact, chilling the dough overnight can enhance the flavors and improve the texture. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
What’s the secret to keeping these cookies soft?
The combination of brown sugar, adequate butter, and not overbaking is key. Keep an eye on your cookies and pull them out when edges are slightly golden but centers still look soft for the best chewy results.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with the charm and festive magic of Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe. It’s the kind of cookie that gets everyone smiling, from kids to adults, and fills your kitchen with the nostalgic scents of the holidays. Give this recipe a whirl and watch how it quickly becomes a beloved tradition you’ll want to make every year—because sometimes the best cookies are the ones where you throw in every little festive delight you have!
Print
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate festive treat packed with a delightful mix of chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows, candy-coated chocolates, toffee bits, and dried fruit. These soft-centered, buttery cookies bring a joyful medley of flavors and textures, perfect for holiday celebrations or gifting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- ½ cup M&Ms or holiday candy-coated chocolates
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup toffee bits (optional)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- Optional: A pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well mixed. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes through continuous beating.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Incorporate Mix-ins: Fold in the semisweet and white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, M&Ms or candy-coated chocolates, toffee bits (if using), dried cranberries or raisins, and a pinch of cinnamon if desired for a festive flavor.
- Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still appear soft.
- Cool Slightly: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps maintain their soft texture.
- Serve or Store: Once cooled, serve the cookies immediately for the best taste or store them in an airtight container for up to one week to keep them fresh.
Notes
- You can customize the mix-ins to suit your preferences or omit any allergens.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming with sugars.
- If you prefer chewier cookies, slightly underbake by a minute or two.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
