If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen around the holidays and thought, “What if I just threw everything into my cookie dough?” — then these Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies are your dream come true!

I made these one December afternoon when I couldn’t decide between salty or sweet, chocolate or peanut butter, chewy or crunchy. So, I mixed it all — chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, red and green candies, toffee bits, and a sprinkle of sea salt. The result? Pure Christmas magic in a cookie.

Every bite is a mix of sweet, salty, and melt-in-your-mouth textures that make them absolutely irresistible. They’re my go-to for holiday parties, cookie swaps, and edible gifts because everyone always asks for the recipe.

Plus, they’re easy to customize with whatever treats you have in your pantry — hence the name “kitchen sink.” These cookies taste like Christmas fun in every bite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Loaded with Holiday Flavor – A mix of festive M&Ms, chocolate, pretzels, and toffee makes each bite a surprise.
Perfectly Sweet & Salty – The balance of rich chocolate and crunchy, salty bits makes these impossible to resist.
No-Fuss Baking – One bowl, no chilling, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Customizable – Use whatever mix-ins you have on hand — nuts, candies, chips, or marshmallows!
Perfect for Gifting – They stay soft for days and look gorgeous wrapped up for holiday cookie boxes.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips
½ cup red and green M&Ms
½ cup crushed pretzels
½ cup chopped toffee bits
¼ cup roasted peanuts or pecans (optional)
Sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugars in a large bowl until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.
Whisk together dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt) in a separate bowl, then gradually add to wet ingredients.
Fold in the mix-ins — chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzels, toffee, and nuts.
Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets (about 2 tbsp per cookie).
Top with extra candies or pretzels for a bakery-style look.
Bake 10–12 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers are just set.
Cool completely on a wire rack. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt if desired.

Assembly

Arrange cookies on a festive platter and garnish with crushed candy canes or holiday sprinkles for a seasonal touch. Package in clear bags tied with ribbon for easy, homemade holiday gifts.

Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the dough: It can make the cookies tough — mix just until combined.
Overbaking: They should look slightly underdone when you pull them out; they’ll firm up as they cool.
Too many mix-ins: Keep the total add-ins to about 2–2½ cups to maintain the right texture.
Skipping the parchment: It helps prevent sticking and ensures even baking.

Expert Tips

Use room temperature butter for a perfectly smooth dough.
For extra chewy cookies, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour mix.
Press a few M&Ms and pretzel pieces on top right before baking for a bakery-style look.
Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft.
Swap in holiday-colored peanut butter candies or mini marshmallows for a festive twist.

FAQs

1. Why are they called “Kitchen Sink Cookies”?
Because you can throw in everything but the kitchen sink — any mix-ins you have work perfectly!

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

3. How do I make them softer or chewier?
Reduce baking time by 1–2 minutes and store them tightly sealed once cooled.

4. Can I make them gluten-free?
Absolutely — just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free pretzels.

5. How long do they stay fresh?
They stay soft and flavorful for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

6. Can I double the batch?
Yes! This recipe doubles beautifully for big holiday gatherings or gift boxes.