If you love cookies packed with delicious mix-ins, these Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat! Soft, chewy, buttery, and filled with a little bit of everything, these festive cookies bring together chocolate chips, colorful holiday candies, crunchy pretzels, and sweet sprinkles in every bite. They’re the perfect combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy.
PrintLoaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies – Easy Sweet & Salty
These Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips, festive candies, crunchy pretzels, and holiday sprinkles. An easy sweet and salty Christmas treat!
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup(2sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cupbrown sugar, packed
- ½ cupgranulated sugar
- 2large eggs
- 2 teaspoonsvanilla extract
- 2¾ cupsall-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoonbaking soda
- ½ teaspoonbaking powder
- ½ teaspoonsalt
- 1 tablespooncornstarch
For the Christmas Mix-Ins
- ¾ cupred and green chocolate candies
- ½ cupsemi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cupwhite chocolate chips
- ½ cupcrushed pretzels
- ½ cupholiday sprinkles
- ⅓ cuptoffee bits
- ⅓ cupcrushed potato chips
Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
Add the Christmas Mix-Ins
- Gently fold in the chocolate candies, semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, holiday sprinkles, toffee bits, and crushed potato chips.
- Reserve a few candies and chocolate chips to decorate the tops of the cookies.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
Shape and Bake
- Scoop the dough into balls, about 2 tablespoons each, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each cookie.
- Press a few reserved candies and chocolate chips onto the tops.
- Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Cool and Serve
- Allow the cookies to cool completely so the chocolate can set and the centers can firm up.
- Serve with a glass of milk or arrange them on a festive Christmas cookie platter.
The beauty of kitchen sink cookies is that you can add all your favorite ingredients into one irresistible cookie. This Christmas version takes the classic idea and gives it a festive twist with red and green candies, white chocolate chips, and plenty of holiday-inspired toppings.
Each cookie has golden edges, a soft center, and a generous amount of delicious mix-ins. The pretzels add a salty crunch, the chocolate creates rich pockets of sweetness, and the colorful candies make these cookies look beautiful on any Christmas dessert table.
Best of all, you don’t need complicated baking techniques or special equipment to make them. Simply prepare the cookie dough, fold in your favorite toppings, shape, and bake. Whether you’re making them for a Christmas party, a cookie exchange, or a cozy afternoon at home, these cookies are guaranteed to bring a little extra holiday cheer.
Why You’ll Love These Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
- A little bit of everything:Chocolate chips, pretzels, festive candies, and sprinkles create an exciting combination of flavors and textures.
- Sweet and salty flavor:The sweetness of the cookie dough balances perfectly with the salty crunch of pretzels.
- Soft and chewy centers:Brown sugar and butter help create cookies with tender centers and lightly crisp edges.
- Beautiful Christmas colors:Red and green candies make every cookie look festive and cheerful.
- Perfect for sharing:They’re ideal for Christmas parties, holiday cookie exchanges, and homemade food gifts.
- Easy to customize:Use your favorite chocolates, nuts, candies, and crunchy treats to create your own kitchen sink combination.
What Makes These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Special?
What makes these cookies so special is the variety of ingredients packed into every bite. Instead of relying on just one flavor, they combine several delicious textures that make each cookie unique.
The buttery cookie dough provides a rich and chewy base, while brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor. Chocolate chips and white chocolate pieces bring sweetness, and crushed pretzels add a satisfying salty crunch.
The festive candies and Christmas sprinkles give the cookies their holiday appearance. Every cookie looks slightly different, making them feel homemade, generous, and fun.
Another great thing about kitchen sink cookies is their flexibility. You can use different combinations of sweet and salty ingredients depending on what you have in your pantry. Just keep the overall amount of mix-ins balanced so the dough can hold everything together.
Helpful Tips for the Best Results
- Use softened butter:Butter should be soft enough to mix easily but not melted. This helps create a smooth cookie dough.
- Measure the flour carefully:Too much flour can make the cookies dry and prevent them from spreading properly.
- Use a combination of mix-ins:Combine chocolate chips, pretzels, candies, and sprinkles for the best sweet-and-salty flavor.
- Don’t crush the pretzels too finely:Leave some small pieces for a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Chill the dough:Refrigerating the dough for about 30 minutes helps prevent excessive spreading and improves the texture.
- Save some toppings for the tops:Press a few extra chocolate chips, candies, and pretzel pieces onto each dough ball before baking for a bakery-style appearance.
- Avoid overbaking:Remove the cookies when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
- Let them cool properly:Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
When to Serve Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These cookies are made for the holiday season! Their colorful appearance and delicious combination of sweet and salty ingredients make them a wonderful addition to almost any Christmas celebration.
- Christmas cookie exchanges:Bring a batch to share with friends, family, or coworkers.
- Holiday dessert tables:Arrange them with brownies, fudge, gingerbread cookies, and other festive treats.
- Christmas movie nights:Serve them with hot chocolate or a glass of cold milk for a cozy evening.
- Holiday parties:Their colorful appearance makes them an eye-catching addition to dessert platters.
- Homemade Christmas gifts:Package them in decorative cookie boxes or clear treat bags tied with festive ribbons.
- Family baking days:Let everyone choose their favorite mix-ins and create their own cookie combinations.
These Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are also perfect whenever you’re craving a homemade cookie with plenty of chocolate, a little crunch, and lots of festive flavor.
Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies Ingredients
Servings:18–20 cookies
Preparation Time:20 minutes
Chilling Time:30 minutes
Baking Time:10–12 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cornstarch, optional, for extra softness
For the Christmas Kitchen Sink Mix-Ins
- ½ cup (85 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (85 g) white chocolate chips
- ½ cup (80 g) red and green chocolate candies
- ½ cup (30 g) mini pretzels, roughly broken into pieces
- ¼ cup (25 g) holiday sprinkles
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
For Topping
- Extra chocolate chips
- Extra red and green candies
- A few pretzel pieces
- Additional Christmas sprinkles
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Unsalted butter:Creates a rich, buttery flavor and helps give the cookies their soft texture. Make sure it is softened but not melted.
- Brown sugar:Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor, helping the cookies stay chewy.
- Granulated sugar:Balances the brown sugar and helps the edges become lightly crisp.
- Egg:Binds the ingredients together and gives the cookies structure. A room-temperature egg blends more evenly into the dough.
- Vanilla extract:Enhances the buttery flavor and brings all the ingredients together.
- All-purpose flour:Provides the structure needed for thick, chewy cookies. Measure carefully to avoid adding too much.
- Baking soda:Helps the cookies spread and develop golden edges.
- Cornstarch:Optional, but it helps create a softer and more tender center.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips:Add rich chocolate flavor without making the cookies overly sweet.
- White chocolate chips:Bring extra sweetness and create delicious creamy chocolate pockets.
- Red and green chocolate candies:Give the cookies their festive Christmas appearance.
- Pretzels:Add a salty crunch that balances the sweetness of the chocolate and cookie dough.
- Holiday sprinkles:Make the cookies colorful and perfect for Christmas celebrations.
- Pecans or walnuts:Optional, but they add a delicious nutty flavor and extra texture.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Wire cooling rack
- Sharp knife or cutting board for breaking pretzels
Before You Begin
- Preheat your oven to350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Allow the butter and egg to reach room temperature.
- Measure all the ingredients before starting.
- Break the pretzels into small pieces, keeping some larger pieces for extra crunch.
- Combine the chocolate chips, candies, pretzels, nuts, and sprinkles in a bowl.
- Reserve a small portion of the mix-ins to decorate the tops of the cookies before baking.
- Make enough room in your refrigerator to chill the cookie dough for approximately 30 minutes.
Helpful note:Avoid crushing the pretzels into fine crumbs. Small chunks give these cookies their signature crunchy texture and delicious sweet-and-salty flavor.
How to Make Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are easy to prepare and full of festive flavors. The buttery cookie dough, rich chocolate chips, crunchy pretzels, and colorful holiday candies create the perfect sweet-and-salty combination. Follow these simple steps to make a batch of thick, chewy Christmas cookies.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Chilling Time:30 minutes
Bake Time:10–12 minutes
Total Time:Approximately 1 hour
Servings:18–20 cookies
Baking Temperature:350°F (175°C)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cornstarch. Set aside while you prepare the cookie dough.
Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Continue mixing for about 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes creamy, smooth, and fluffy.
Add the Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until everything is well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula if necessary.
Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed just until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and chewy.
Fold in the Christmas Mix-Ins
Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, red and green candies, broken pretzels, holiday sprinkles, and optional chopped nuts.
Gently fold everything into the dough using a rubber spatula until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Chill the Cookie Dough
Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and creates thicker, chewier centers.
Shape the Cookies
Scoop the chilled dough into balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow room for spreading.
Press a few extra chocolate chips, candies, and pretzel pieces onto the tops of the dough balls for a beautiful bakery-style appearance.
Bake Until Golden
Bake in the preheated oven at350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
Avoid overbaking because the cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
Cool the Cookies
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies rest for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up without losing their soft centers.
Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack and let them cool completely before serving.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
- Don’t overmix the dough:Mix only until the flour disappears to maintain a soft, tender texture.
- Keep the pretzels chunky:Small pieces provide a better crunch than finely crushed pretzels.
- Balance the mix-ins:Avoid adding too many toppings, as the dough needs enough structure to hold everything together.
- Chill before baking:Refrigerating the dough helps prevent excessive spreading.
- Decorate before baking:Press extra candies and chocolate chips onto the dough balls for colorful, attractive cookies.
- Watch the baking time:Remove the cookies when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked.
- Cool before storing:Let the cookies cool completely to prevent condensation inside the storage container.
Serving, Storage, Variations, and FAQs
How to Serve Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations. Their colorful appearance and combination of sweet chocolate, crunchy pretzels, and chewy cookie dough make them a beautiful addition to any Christmas dessert table.
Here are some fun ways to serve them:
- With a glass of milk:A classic pairing that makes these cookies even more delicious.
- With hot chocolate:Serve them alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate for a cozy Christmas treat.
- On a Christmas dessert platter:Arrange them with gingerbread cookies, brownies, fudge, and other holiday sweets.
- As an ice cream sandwich:Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two completely cooled cookies.
- For Christmas parties:Arrange the cookies on a festive serving tray for guests to enjoy.
- As homemade gifts:Package them in decorative cookie boxes or clear bags tied with Christmas ribbons.
For an extra-special presentation, add a few extra red and green candies and chocolate chips to the tops before serving.
How to Store Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
At Room Temperature:Allow the cookies to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft and chewy texture.
In the Refrigerator:Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
In the Freezer:Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating the layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Freezing Cookie Dough:Scoop the cookie dough into individual balls and arrange them on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding approximately 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Peanut Butter Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies:Add ¼ cup creamy peanut butter to the butter mixture for a delicious peanut butter flavor.
- Triple Chocolate Cookies:Combine semi-sweet, milk, and white chocolate chips for an extra-rich chocolate experience.
- Caramel Pretzel Cookies:Add ¼ cup caramel baking bits for a sweet and salty combination.
- Christmas M&M Cookies:Replace some of the chocolate chips with extra red and green chocolate candies.
- Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies:Add ½ cup dried cranberries for a slightly tart flavor that pairs beautifully with white chocolate.
- Nutty Christmas Cookies:Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and a delicious nutty taste.
- Dark Chocolate Pretzel Cookies:Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Coconut Christmas Cookies:Add ¼ cup shredded coconut for extra texture and sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called kitchen sink cookies?
Kitchen sink cookies get their name because they contain a little bit of everything! They are usually made with a combination of chocolate chips, candies, pretzels, nuts, and other delicious mix-ins.
Can I make these cookies without pretzels?
Absolutely! If you don’t like pretzels, you can leave them out or replace them with chopped nuts, crushed cookies, or extra chocolate chips.
How do I keep my cookies soft and chewy?
Use brown sugar, avoid adding too much flour, and don’t overbake the cookies. Remove them from the oven when the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.
Can I prepare the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours. When you’re ready to bake, scoop the dough into balls and follow the baking instructions.
Can I use different chocolate candies?
Yes! Red and green chocolate candies are perfect for Christmas, but you can use any colorful chocolate candies you have available. Choose seasonal colors to make the cookies suitable for different celebrations.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Cookies may spread excessively if the butter is too warm, the dough is not chilled, or the flour is not measured correctly. Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps create thicker cookies.
Can I freeze Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?
Yes! Once completely cooled, place the cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
What other mix-ins can I add?
You can add caramel pieces, dried cranberries, shredded coconut, chopped pecans, walnuts, crushed chocolate cookies, or peanut butter chips. Just keep the total amount of mix-ins balanced so the dough holds together properly.
Final Thoughts
Loaded Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are everything you want in a holiday cookie: soft, chewy, chocolatey, crunchy, and full of festive colors. The combination of sweet chocolate, salty pretzels, and colorful candies makes every bite exciting and delicious.
Whether you’re preparing them for a Christmas cookie exchange, sharing them with family, or packaging them as homemade gifts, these cookies are guaranteed to bring a little extra sweetness to the holiday season. Bake a batch, customize your favorite mix-ins, and enjoy these festive treats with everyone you love!