Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Featured in Appetizing Starters.

These holiday cookies combine sweet and salty flavors with M&Ms, white chocolate, pretzels and potato chips for a fun Christmas treat.
Ranah
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 22:22:16 GMT
A close-up of decorated cookies featuring M&M's, pretzels, and festive colors, arranged on a white plate. Pin it
A close-up of decorated cookies featuring M&M's, pretzels, and festive colors, arranged on a white plate. | tastyblom.com

After countless holiday baking experiments in my kitchen, these Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies have become my most treasured recipe. That perfect balance of sweet M&Ms, salty pretzels, and crispy potato chips creates pure magic in every bite. The moment these start baking, my kitchen fills with the most incredible aroma of butter and chocolate. My family knows holiday baking season has officially started when they smell these cookies in the oven.

Why These Cookies Are Special

Through years of testing in my kitchen, I've discovered exactly what makes these cookies irresistible. That perfect balance of sweet and salty creates magic in every bite. My readers tell me they've stopped buying holiday cookies completely because these have ruined them for all others. The way the M&Ms create pockets of chocolate while the pretzels and chips add crunch makes every bite an adventure.

What You'll Need

Let me share what makes these cookies spectacular. Start with room temperature butter and eggs - they create that perfect chewy texture. Fresh M&Ms bring holiday color and crunch. I always hand-crush the pretzels and chips for perfect pieces. Quality white chocolate makes all the difference. These simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary.

Step By Step Success

Making these cookies is like conducting a delicious orchestra. First, that butter and sugar need to get perfectly creamy - I never rush this step. Adding the eggs one at a time ensures the perfect texture. When the flour goes in, a gentle touch prevents tough cookies. Then comes the fun part - mixing in all those colorful, crunchy add-ins.

Perfect Every Time

Measuring ingredients correctly makes all the difference. I spoon my flour into the measuring cup, never pack it. Room temperature ingredients create the perfect texture. My cookie scoop ensures even baking. These little details might seem fussy, but they guarantee amazing cookies every time.

A close-up image of a plate full of colorful, decorated cookies featuring M&M's, pretzels, and festive candies. Pin it
A close-up image of a plate full of colorful, decorated cookies featuring M&M's, pretzels, and festive candies. | tastyblom.com

Make Ahead Magic

The dough freezes beautifully - I always keep a batch ready for surprise holiday guests. Those frozen dough balls go straight into the oven, just adding a minute or two to the bake time. Sometimes I'll make a double batch just to have extras on hand. It's like giving my future self a delicious gift.

Perfect for Parties

These cookies bring such joy to holiday gatherings. Their festive colors catch everyone's eye, and that sweet-salty combination keeps them coming back for more. I love watching people's faces light up when they bite into that perfect mixture of textures. They're always the first to disappear from any cookie platter.

Storage Success

If you manage to have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house), these cookies keep beautifully. An airtight container maintains their perfect texture. They'll stay fresh for days, though they rarely last that long. The flavors actually develop nicely over time - if you can resist eating them all at once!

Mix It Up

The beauty of these cookies lies in their versatility. Sometimes I'll swap in different candies or chips. Dark chocolate chunks work beautifully, and butterscotch chips add wonderful richness. My readers share their creative variations all the time - each one brings something new to love.

Perfect for Sharing

These cookies make wonderful gifts. I love packaging them in festive tins or clear bags tied with ribbon. The colors look so cheerful, and that combination of flavors never fails to impress. They're perfect for cookie exchanges or holiday care packages.

A close-up of freshly baked cookies decorated with red and green M&M's, pretzel pieces, and white chocolate chips. Pin it
A close-up of freshly baked cookies decorated with red and green M&M's, pretzel pieces, and white chocolate chips. | tastyblom.com

Make Them Your Own

While my base recipe is tried and true, there's always room for creativity. Some of my readers add nuts for extra crunch, others prefer different candies. The dough adapts beautifully to variations. That's what I love about sharing recipes - seeing how others make them their own.

Holiday Tradition

These cookies have become part of so many families' holiday traditions. They're perfect for baking with kids - little hands love adding all those colorful mix-ins. The recipe is forgiving enough for beginners but special enough for experienced bakers. Every batch creates sweet memories.

Gifting Joy

Nothing spreads holiday cheer like homemade cookies. I love arranging these in pretty packages for friends and neighbors. Include the recipe card - everyone always asks for it! These cookies have a way of bringing smiles wherever they go.

Family Fun

Making these cookies brings everyone to the kitchen. The kids love helping crush pretzels and add M&Ms. There's something magical about creating holiday treats together. Even the teenagers put down their phones to join in!

A Cookie for Everyone

These cookies delight people of all ages. That perfect balance of flavors and textures appeals to everyone. They're sophisticated enough for adults but fun enough for kids. It's rare to find a treat that truly pleases everyone.

Holiday Magic

These Kitchen Sink Cookies have become more than just another holiday recipe. They're the treats my family requests first, the ones friends always ask me to bring to parties. They represent everything I love about holiday baking - bringing joy through something made with love in my kitchen.

A close-up of a cookie with a bite taken out, featuring colorful M&M's, chocolate chips, and pretzel pieces against a light background. Pin it
A close-up of a cookie with a bite taken out, featuring colorful M&M's, chocolate chips, and pretzel pieces against a light background. | tastyblom.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How should I measure the flour?
Spoon flour into measuring cup and level off, don't scoop directly. For best results, weigh flour (1 cup = 125g).
→ How do I get perfectly round cookies?
Use a large circular cookie cutter to swirl around hot cookies right after baking to shape them.
→ Can I add extra toppings?
Yes, adding extra mix-ins on top of dough balls before baking gives cookies an attractive appearance.
→ How long do these keep?
Store in an airtight container for up to three days.
→ Can I use different mix-ins?
Yes, feel free to customize with your favorite candies, chips, and salty snacks while keeping similar proportions.

Kitchen Sink Cookies

A festive cookie packed with sweet and salty mix-ins including M&Ms, pretzels, potato chips, and white chocolate chips, finished with holiday sprinkles.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes

Category: Tasty Snacks

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 20 Servings (20 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3/4 cup salted butter, softened.
02 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed.
03 1/4 cup granulated white sugar.
04 2 egg yolks, room temperature.
05 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract.
06 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled.
07 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
08 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
09 1/2 teaspoon salt.
10 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms.
11 1/3 cup white chocolate chips.
12 1/3 cup pretzel pieces.
13 1/3 cup potato chip pieces.
14 2 tablespoons red and green jimmies.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugars 2 minutes until fluffy. Add yolks and vanilla, mix 2 minutes more.

Step 03

Mix in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until combined.

Step 04

Fold in M&Ms, white chocolate, pretzels, chips and sprinkles.

Step 05

Form 20 dough balls, arrange on sheets. Optional: add extra toppings. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Step 06

Optional: shape with cookie cutter while hot. Cool 5 minutes on sheets, then 10 on rack.

Notes

  1. Measure flour by spooning into cup.
  2. Can shape with cookie cutter.
  3. Keeps 3 days in airtight container.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheets.
  • Electric mixer.
  • Parchment paper.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 220
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 3 g