Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
# Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Ultimate Holiday Treat! Are you ready for the holidays? If youโre anything like me, December rolls around, and suddenly, your oven turns into a cookie factory! ๐ช Today, I'm here to introduce you to a little magic called **Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies**. Ever wondered why they're named this? It's because you can throw just about anything into the mix! This cookie recipe combines sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy all in one bite, making it the perfect festive treat. So, grab your mixing bowls, because weโre about to embark on a delicious journey! --- ## What Are Kitchen Sink Cookies? ### Why Do They Have That Name? Picture this: youโre cleaning out your pantry, and everything is screaming โUSE ME!โ Well, **Kitchen Sink Cookies** imply you can use *literally* everything but the sink. Think of all those leftover chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, and maybe even that bag of crushed pretzels you forgot you had. This cookie isn't just a cookie; it's a celebration of everything that the season brings, all in one sweet little package! ### A Personal Story I remember the first time I made Kitchen Sink Cookies. I was making them with my niece, and instead of measuring ingredients like adults, we just grabbed whatever looked good. Half a bag of walnuts? Toss โem in! Leftover M&M's from Halloween? Why not?! By the end, we had cookies that were a delicious mix of chaos, and let me tell youโthey were a hit! --- ## The Basic Recipe ### Essential Ingredients To whip up your own batch of magical Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, hereโs your fundamental shopping list: - **2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour** - **1 teaspoon baking soda** - **1/2 teaspoon salt** - **1 cup unsalted butter, softened** (because we want to spread the love!) - **3/4 cup granulated sugar** - **3/4 cup packed brown sugar** - **1 teaspoon vanilla extract** (mandatory for that warm holiday hug) - **2 large eggs** - **2 cups mix-ins of your choice** (hello, creativity! This could be chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, pretzel bitsโ*you name it!*) Seriously, do you think I left anything out here? ๐ ### Directions 1. **Preheat your oven**: Letโs get that oven nice and toasty at 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). You want those cookies baked to perfection, right? 2. **Mix the dry ingredients**: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Itโs just like a flour clubโyou have to mix it all up first! 3. **Cream the butter and sugars**: In another bowl, blend the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until it's smooth and creamy. As creamy as an ice-cream float on a hot day! 4. **Add eggs and vanilla**: Beat in those eggs one at a time, and donโt forget to add the vanilla extract. Trust me, itโs the secret sauce! 5. **Combine wet and dry**: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. The dough will start to come together beautifully. 6. **Stir in those mix-ins**: This is where the magic happens. Throw in everything you want! Be generous, and really go wild. 7. **Drop by spoonfuls**: Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to drop dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave a little space between each cookie; they need their personal bubble. 8. **Bake โem!**: Bake for about 10-12 minutes until theyโre golden brown on the edges. Trust me, you'll want to keep an eye on themโnobody likes over-baked cookies. ๐ฑ 9. **Cool it down**: Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. ### Pro Tip For an extra **wow factor**, sprinkle a little sea salt on top right before baking. It adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness. Your cookies just leveled up. ๐ --- ## Fun Variations to Try Feeling adventurous? Check out these fun ideas to make your Kitchen Sink Cookies even more festive: - **Peppermint Crunch**: Add crushed peppermint candies or chips for a fresh holiday twist. - **Nutty Delight**: Mix in different kinds of nutsโalmonds, pecans, and walnuts all bring something different to the table. - **Dried Fruit Party**: Toss in dried cranberries, cherries, or apricots. It's like a fruitcake, only in COOKIE FORM (and way more delicious). - **Choco-Lovers**: If you or someone in your life canโt resist chocolate, make layers of dark, milk, and white chocolate chips. Itโs a chocoholic's dream come true! ### How About Vegan? Want to make them plant-based? Switch the eggs for flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and use coconut oil instead of butter. The flavor might change a bit, but your friends wonโt even notice! ๐ --- ## Storage and Freezing Tips So, youโve made a batch (or three), and now you're left with a mountain of cookies. Lucky you! Hereโs how to keep them fresh: - **In an airtight container**: Store them at room temperature for up to a week. But letโs be realโdo you think they'll last that long? ๐ - **Freezing**: If you want to save some for later, flash freeze cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and then transfer them to a freezer bag. They would keep for up to 3 monthsโand then you can bake fresh cookies whenever the craving hits! Just remember to adjust the baking time from frozen. --- ## Sharing Is Caring Letโs be honestโwhat's the point of baking these delicious treats if you canโt share? Grab your friends, family, or neighbors (yes, even your annoying coworker) and let them enjoy these fantastic homemade cookies. You'll be the holiday hero in no time! **Wanna make someoneโs day?** Throw a batch in a tin and surprise someone with a last-minute gift. Cookies = happiness. Itโs science! --- ## Final Thoughts There you have it! A festive, flexible recipe for **Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies** that'll satisfy any sweet tooth and always bring a smile to your face. With just a little bit of creativity, the holiday spirit will shine through every delicious bite. Next time youโre trying to figure out how to use that random stash of sweets in your pantry, remember: itโs just waiting to become the star of the show! So what are you waiting for? Get baking, and donโt forget to share your cookie adventures with your friends! ๐โจ **Happy Holidays, and may your cookies always be soft and chewy!**Print
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies combine sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy elements, perfect for sharing during the holidays!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups mix-ins of your choice (e.g., chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, pretzel bits)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, blend the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture.
- Stir in your choice of mix-ins.
- Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet, leaving space between cookies.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes until golden brown on the edges.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For an extra touch, sprinkle sea salt on top before baking for a delightful contrast to the sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
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