Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: Easy Holiday Recipe to Make
Introduction
Every year, as the festive lights begin to twinkle across the cities of Europe, I am reminded of the bustling Christmas markets. The air, thick with the scent of mulled wine, roasted nuts, and sweet pastries, is a symphony of aromas. It was during one such visit to Vienna that the inspiration for this recipe struck me. I saw a baker tossing a delightful jumble of leftover confections into a batch of cookie dough, and a culinary spark was lit. This is the spirit captured in these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies. They are not just a treat; they are a celebration of abundance, a delightful chaos of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy all in one perfect bite. This recipe is your canvas to paint a masterpiece of holiday flavor. Let’s explore exactly why these cookies will become your new festive tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Endless Creativity: This recipe is a fantastic way to use up leftover holiday candies, nuts, and snacks. You are the chef, and the pantry is your palette!
- A Symphony of Flavors & Textures: The combination of salty pretzels, rich chocolate, and sweet toffee creates a complex flavor profile that is absolutely irresistible. Each bite is a new discovery.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet appearance and taste, these cookies are surprisingly simple to whip up. It’s a perfect holiday activity to share with family and friends.
- The Ultimate Holiday Gift: Packaged in a festive tin or box, these cookies make a beautiful and delicious homemade gift that truly comes from the heart.
Preparation Time and Servings
⏱️ Preparation Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
⏰ Total Time: 35 minutes (plus optional chilling time)
💡 Difficulty: Easy
👥 Servings: Makes approximately 24-30 cookies
This is a wonderfully quick recipe, allowing you to have a batch of fresh, warm cookies ready in well under an hour for any unexpected holiday guests.
Ingredients List
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (165g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
For the “Kitchen Sink” Mix-Ins (approx. 3 cups total):
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup crushed potato chips
- 1/2 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup toffee bits
- 1/2 cup festive sprinkles or M&Ms
- Optional additions: chopped nuts, dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare your Station: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. Set this aside. This mise en place ensures a smooth process.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for the cookie’s texture.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry flour mixture. Mix only until the last streaks of flour have disappeared. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
- Fold in the Mix-Ins: Gently fold in your chosen mix-ins-the chocolate chunks, potato chips, pretzels, toffee, and sprinkles-using a spatula. The beauty of these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies is in this glorious jumble of ingredients.
- Portion and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough (about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set. For a chewier cookie, err on the side of slightly underbaking. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
- Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies that spread less, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) before baking. This small step makes a significant difference in the final texture.
- Use Quality Ingredients: The foundation of any great dish is the quality of its components. Use good quality butter, pure vanilla extract, and high-quality chocolate for the best flavor in your Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies.
- Balance is Key: While it’s tempting to add everything, aim for a good balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy elements. A ratio of about 3 cups of mix-ins to this dough recipe is the sweet spot.
- Don’t Crush to Dust: When crushing pretzels and potato chips, leave some larger pieces. This adds wonderful textural variety to every single bite of your cookies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Prevent common issues with these simple tips:
- Overmixing the batter: This develops too much gluten, which leads to a dense, tough cookie instead of a tender, chewy one. Mix only until the flour is just combined.
- Incorrect oven temperature: Always use an oven thermometer for accuracy, as home ovens can vary wildly. A consistent, correct temperature is vital for even baking.
- Skipping the resting time: Allowing the cookies to cool on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes after removing them from the oven lets them set up properly, preventing them from falling apart.
- Using cold ingredients: Room temperature butter and eggs create a smoother, more uniform emulsion, resulting in a superior cookie dough and a better final texture.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
To keep your culinary creations fresh and delicious, follow these storage guidelines.
- Short-term storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help keep them soft.
- Refrigeration: While not recommended as it can dry them out, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Baked cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Make-ahead option: The cookie dough can be made ahead, rolled into a log, wrapped tightly, and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Simply slice and bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What other mix-ins work well in Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?
The possibilities are truly endless! Consider adding toasted coconut flakes, butterscotch chips, chopped caramels, different types of nuts like pecans or walnuts, or even a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before baking. The goal is to create a cookie that reflects your personal taste and the festive spirit.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you certainly can. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Also, ensure that your mix-ins, particularly the pretzels, are certified gluten-free. The results are just as delightful.
Conclusion
This recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it is an invitation to play, to create, and to share a little bit of joy. The delightful contrast of flavors and textures makes every bite an adventure. This holiday season, I urge you to bring the festive, creative spirit of the Christmas markets into your own kitchen. This Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe is destined to become a cherished part of your celebrations. Bake a batch and share the magic!
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OOLALA
This turned out so awesome they look like they came from a exspensive bakery.
Just a question
So what about the grease from the meat? Should I use the leanest meats or is the grease give more flavor.
What about a meatloaf on top of veggies ? Would that work?
Ingredients list good, directions lacking
There were great details on quantities of ingredients I should use, but the recipe didn’t tell me the cook time. Also, mentioned in the section about “common mistakes” that you need to let it chill enough but doesn’t direct you in the recipe that you need to let it chill. More details would be helpful
Dressing is perfect!
Not a big fan of mayo, loved the Greek yogurt swap. Reduced garlic a bit. Dressing was delish!
Best coffee cake- ever!!
This recipe was not the easiest to follow due to how it was written. It requires a lot of back and forth from instructions to the lists of ingredients but oh, hey, the end result is totally worth the effort! Mouthwatering and delicious plus it’s a pretty presentation.
