Easy Festive Kitchen Sink Surprise Cookies Recipe That Sparkle

Sweet kitchen sink surprise cookies bring together a wild medley of unexpected flavors that challenge traditional baking norms.

Bakers who love spontaneous culinary adventures will adore this creative recipe that crafts ordinary ingredients into extraordinary treats.

Each batch becomes a delightful experiment, blending textures and tastes in surprising combinations.

Pantry remnants find new life when mixed into these whimsical cookies, turning potential leftovers into a delectable masterpiece.

The magic happens when random ingredients collide, creating a unique taste profile that keeps everyone guessing.

Mixing becomes an art form, with each handful of unexpected additions contributing to the cookie’s complex character.

These cookies celebrate culinary creativity and remind us that unexpected combinations can yield delicious results.

Store These Cookies Like a Pro

• Refrigeration: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain crisp texture. Keep container sealed at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheating: Warm cookies in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their freshly baked crispness. Microwave for 10-15 seconds for a softer, warm treat. Always allow cookies to cool slightly before serving to enhance flavor and prevent burning.

What Goes Well with Everything Cookies

• Brew a Creamy Coffee Companion: Pair these sweet and salty cookies with a smooth cold brew or vanilla latte to balance the intense flavors and complement the crunchy textures.
• Serve with Festive Milk Options: Offer classic whole milk or a holiday-themed peppermint hot chocolate to enhance the cookie's playful sprinkle and chip mix, creating a nostalgic dessert experience.
• Create a Contrasting Beverage Duo: Match the cookies with a sparkling apple cider or light champagne to provide a crisp, effervescent contrast to the rich, indulgent cookie base.
• Cheese Plate Surprise Pairing: Arrange a small cheese board with mild aged cheddar and creamy brie to create an unexpected sweet-savory combination that elevates the cookie's complex flavor profile.

Mix-and-Match Ideas for Kitchen Sink Cookies

• Salty-Sweet Holiday Remix: Replace some ingredients with crushed candy canes, sea salt caramel chips, and butterscotch pieces for a festive flavor explosion.
• Gluten-Free Winter Celebration: Swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, keeping the same fun mix-in approach while ensuring everyone can enjoy these cookies.
• Tropical Cookie Adventure: Substitute holiday sprinkles with toasted coconut flakes, macadamia nuts, and white chocolate chunks for a beach-inspired winter treat that feels like a mini vacation.
• Breakfast Inspired Cookie Crunch: Mix in crushed graham crackers, cinnamon chips, and a drizzle of maple syrup to transform the recipe into a morning-inspired sweet sensation that bridges dessert and breakfast worlds.

Why Everyone Loves Kitchen Sink Cookies

• Unleash Unexpected Flavor Combos: These cookies blend sweet M&M's, salty pretzels, and crunchy potato chips for a mind-blowing taste explosion that breaks all traditional cookie rules.
• Master Stress-Free Baking Technique: The recipe offers flexible chilling options (refrigerate 1 hour or freeze 30 minutes) and simple shaping tricks like using a cookie cutter while warm, making baking feel effortless and fun.
• Create Festive Holiday Memories: Loaded with colorful holiday sprinkles and mix-ins, these cookies transform ordinary baking into a playful, celebratory experience that sparks joy and brings people together.

The Wild Ingredients in Kitchen Sink Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cookie, all-purpose works best for consistent texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender texture and provides deep flavor, room temperature is key.
• Dark Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create chewy, caramelized cookie edges.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic background flavor to complement mix-ins.

• M&M's, White Chocolate Chips: Colorful chocolate elements that add sweetness and festive look.
• Pretzels, Crushed Potato Chips: Introduces unexpected crunch and salty contrast.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Adds colorful, celebratory visual appeal to the cookies.

How to Bake Surprise-Filled Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Butter

Allow butter to melt, then let it cool for 20 minutes until it reaches room temperature.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 3: Create Wet Mixture

• Dark brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Blend until smooth, then add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

Gradually fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula. Mix until just combined.

Step 5: Add Delightful Mix-Ins

• M&M's
• White chocolate chips
• Pretzels
• Crushed potato chips
• Holiday sprinkles

Step 6: Portion and Chill Dough

Use a 1 ice cream scoop to portion cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 30 minutes if short on time.

Step 7: Bake Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Arrange 6 cookie dough balls on a second parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 13-15 minutes, rotating the sheet pan halfway through for even browning.

Step 8: Final Touch

Remove cookies from the oven while hot.

Use a large cookie cutter to gently reshape them.

Top each cookie with additional mix-ins before they cool completely.

Tips to Nail These Loaded Cookies

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate or freeze cookie dough before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Customize Mix-Ins: Experiment with different salty and sweet add-ins like chips, pretzels, or candies to create unique flavor combinations.
• Shape While Hot: Use a cookie cutter immediately after baking to create perfectly round edges and a professional appearance.
• Rotate Baking Sheet: Ensure even browning by turning the sheet pan halfway through baking to eliminate hot spots in the oven.
• Don't Overmix: Gently fold ingredients together to keep the cookie texture light and prevent tough, dense results.

Festive Kitchen Sink Surprise Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Festive Kitchen Sink Surprise Cookies blend whimsical charm with sweet nostalgia, combining unexpected ingredients in a delightful treat. Rich chocolate chips, pretzels, and caramel swirls create an irresistible cookie experience you’ll savor with pure joy.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups (660 ml) all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces (227 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) dark brown sugar
• ¾ cup (150 grams) white granulated sugar

Sweet and Crunchy Mix-Ins:

• 1 cup (170 grams) M&M’s (red and green)
• ½ cup (85 grams) white chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) holiday sprinkles

Salty and Crispy Additions:

• ½ cup (60 grams) pretzels
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) salted potato chips

Leavening and Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Liquefy the butter and allow it to cool to room temperature for approximately 20 minutes.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt using a whisk.
3. Create a separate mixture by whisking the cooled melted butter with dark brown sugar and granulated sugar until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Introduce the eggs and vanilla extract into the sugar mixture, blending thoroughly until well incorporated.
5. Delicately fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
6. Gently incorporate the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzels, crushed potato chips, and holiday sprinkles into the cookie dough.
7. Utilize a ice cream scoop to portion the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Refrigerate the portioned dough for 1 hour, or alternatively freeze for 30 minutes if time is limited.
9. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
10. Arrange 6 cookie dough balls on a fresh parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing between each.
11. Bake for 13-15 minutes, rotating the sheet pan midway through to ensure even browning and consistent coloration.
12. Immediately upon removing from the oven, use a large cookie cutter to gently reshape the warm cookies.
13. While still hot, embellish each cookie with additional mix-ins before they cool and set.

Notes

• Cool melted butter completely to ensure proper cookie texture and prevent greasy results.
• Chill dough before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
• Mix-ins add exciting crunch and unexpected flavor combinations for a playful dessert experience.
• Rotate baking sheet midway to guarantee even golden-brown edges and consistent baking.
• Reshape hot cookies immediately with a cookie cutter for perfect circular presentation.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispy-soft texture for several days.

• Prep Time: 50 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 185 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 95 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg