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This Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookie recipe transforms your holiday baking with a delightful medley of flavors and textures. These cookies embrace the spirit of the season by combining everything but the kitchen sink into one irresistible treat that will quickly become a holiday tradition.
I first made these cookies when trying to clean out my pantry before the holidays. What started as a desperate attempt to use odds and ends turned into our family's most requested Christmas treat. My children now look forward to our annual "kitchen sink cookie day" more than opening presents!
Ingredients
- All purpose flour provides the structure for these cookies use unbleached for best flavor
- Unsalted butter adds richness and helps achieve those crisp edges and chewy centers
- Brown and granulated sugar blend creates the perfect balance of moisture and sweetness
- Eggs bind everything together while adding richness
- Vanilla extract enhances all the flavors look for pure extract not imitation
- Baking soda and salt are essential for proper rising and flavor balance
- Oats add heartiness and wonderful texture old fashioned work better than quick
- Chocolate chips are a must use a mix of milk dark and white for complexity
- Nuts provide crunch and contrast toasted pecans or walnuts are holiday favorites
- Dried cranberries add festive color and tangy sweetness
- Holiday candies bring seasonal flair crushed candy canes or holiday M&Ms work beautifully
- Shredded coconut contributes texture and subtle sweetness toast it lightly for deeper flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the base dough
- Begin by creaming softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy about 3 minutes on medium speed. This incorporates air and creates the foundation for perfect texture. The mixture should look noticeably lighter in color than when you started.
- Add the wet ingredients
- Incorporate eggs one at a time making sure each is fully mixed before adding the next. Add vanilla extract and mix thoroughly. The mixture may look slightly curdled at this point which is completely normal.
- Mix the dry ingredients
- Whisk together flour baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents throughout the dough which is crucial for consistent cookies.
- Combine wet and dry
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten which results in tough cookies so stop as soon as the flour disappears.
- Fold in the mixins
- This is where the magic happens. Add oats chocolate chips nuts dried fruit coconut and holiday candies folding gently with a spatula until evenly distributed. The dough will be very thick and substantial.
- Rest the dough
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. This step is crucial as it allows flavors to meld and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Bake to perfection
- Scoop generous portions of dough onto parchment lined baking sheets leaving ample space between each. Bake at 350°F until edges are golden but centers remain slightly soft about 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
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My absolute favorite addition to these cookies is toasted pecans. I discovered their transformative power years ago when my grandmother insisted we toast them before adding them to the dough. She was right the depth of flavor is incomparable and reminds me of our baking sessions every Christmas morning.
Storage Solutions
These cookies maintain their quality remarkably well when properly stored. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature layered between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. For longer storage freeze baked cookies individually then transfer to freezer bags. When ready to enjoy let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The dough also freezes beautifully rolled into balls ready to bake whenever a cookie craving strikes.
Customization Ideas
The beauty of Kitchen Sink Cookies lies in their adaptability. Consider creating themed variations like White Christmas with white chocolate macadamia nuts and coconut or Chocolate Lovers with various chocolate chip varieties cocoa powder and chocolate covered pretzels. For a more sophisticated version incorporate dried cherries dark chocolate chunks and a splash of almond extract. During the holidays fold in crushed peppermint candies or cinnamon chips for seasonal flair.
Gift Packaging Tips
Transform these cookies into memorable holiday gifts with thoughtful packaging. Stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon or pack them in decorative tins lined with holiday tissue paper. Include a handwritten recipe card sharing the story behind your personal version. For an extra special touch create cookie mix jars with the dry ingredients layered attractively providing instructions for the recipient to add wet ingredients and bake their own batch.
Recipe Q&A
- → What mix-ins work best for Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies?
The beauty of these cookies is their flexibility! Classic additions include chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white), chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds), dried fruits (cranberries, cherries), rolled oats, shredded coconut, and holiday candies. For a festive touch, consider adding crushed candy canes, toffee bits, or red and green M&Ms.
- → Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also portion the dough into balls and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls directly on a baking sheet and add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- → How do I ensure my cookies have the perfect texture?
For the ideal texture, make sure your butter is properly softened (not melted). Incorporate mix-ins gently to avoid overworking the dough. For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them and allow them to finish cooking on the hot baking sheet. For crispier edges, extend the baking time by 1-2 minutes.
- → What's the best way to package these cookies as gifts?
Layer cookies in decorative tins or boxes lined with parchment paper. For a special presentation, stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon. Include a handwritten note listing the special ingredients you included. To maintain freshness, ensure cookies are completely cooled before packaging.
- → How long do Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies remain fresh for 5-7 days. For longer storage, place them in freezer-safe containers with parchment paper between layers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
- → Can I make these cookies gluten-free or vegan?
Yes! For gluten-free versions, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure your mix-ins are gluten-free. For vegan cookies, use plant-based butter, flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg needed), and verify that your add-ins like chocolate chips are dairy-free.