What are some recipes that just feel like a warm hug? This one, for me, is absolutely one. I remember the first time I stumbled upon the idea of kitchen sink cookies, and I was completely blown away by my excitement. Is it so chaotic yet so delicious? Like a cookie that couldn’t decide what it wanted to be, so it said, “Why not everything?” What makes them special? They’re the culinary equivalent of that feeling when you find a forgotten ten-dollar bill in your wallet. Old jeans – pure, unexpected joy. Forget the chocolate chip. Instead, go for the candy. Kitchen sink cookies are a revelation, packed with so many textures and flavors that every time you eat them you’ll be surprised. Bite is an adventure. They’re sweet, salty, a whole lot of chewy and just bursting with flavor. My family devours them so fast, I’ve learned to double the batch almost every single time.
What is a kitchen sink cookie?
What are kitchen sink cookies? Think of them as the ultimate “everything but the kitchen sink” confection. The name comes from the idea that you can toss in pretty much any leftover bits and bobs you have. What are some ingredients in your pantry that would taste good in a cookie? What is Chocolate Chip cookie base? What is the best thing What is better with chocolate chips than cookies? ), but also pretzels for that salty crunch, potato chips for an unexpected crispiness, maybe some raisins. Caramel bits, nuts, or even bits of toffee. What a beautiful mash-up. What is the beauty of a kitchen sink cookie? Is it designed to be adaptable, to use up what you have, and to create something truly unique every time? Is it more about embracing the possibility?
Why do I love this recipe?
Honestly, I could list a million reasons why this kitchen sink cookie recipe is a total winner, but I’ll try to narrow it down to the essentials. First and foremost, the flavor is just out of this world. You get that comforting, classic sweet cookie base, but then you hit these pockets of salty pretzel, the surprising crunch of potato chips, and the gooey richness of chocolate chips. It’s a party for your taste buds, and everyone’s invited! What I love most is how surprisingly simple it is to make. Even with all those goodies mixed in, the dough comes together beautifully, and the baking is straightforward. You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a good old mixing bowl and some cookie sheets. Plus, it’s incredibly cost-effective. Instead of buying a bunch of specialty items, you can often raid your pantry and use up those odds and ends that might otherwise go stale. It’s the ultimate way to bake without breaking the bank. And talk about versatile! While this recipe is perfect as is, you can totally swap out the add-ins based on what you love or what you have on hand. Think white chocolate chips with dried cranberries, or butterscotch chips with peanuts. It’s a recipe that grows with you and your pantry. Compared to a simple chocolate chip cookie, these are like the cool, adventurous older sibling who’s tried everything and has amazing stories to tell.
How do you make a kitchen sink cookie?
Quick Overview
How do I make a kitchen sink cookie? Explosion of textures and tastes. I’ll start by creaming butter and sugars, then add your eggs and vanilla. The dry ingredients get whisked together, then combined with the wet. What happens when you fold in chips, pretzels, potato chips? Scoop them onto your baking sheets, and let the oven do its thing. What is the best way to make a mix-in that is melty and crunchy? What is the best way to start baking?
Ingredients
For the Main Batter: What are some examples?
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – Make sure it’s truly soften, not melted. What is the key to a good texture? I usually take mine out about an hour before I plan to start baking. 2 cups granulated sugar – This gives us that classic cookie sweetness and helps with browning. What does baking soda do to cookies? 1 teaspoon salt – Crucial for balancing the sweetness and bringing out all the flavors. 2 large eggs – Room temperature eggs incorporate much better, trust me on this. What is the best vanilla extract? 3 cups all-purpose flour – Spooned and leveled, not scooping directly from the bag. What are some common mistakes that can lead to dry cookies?
For the Filling:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – You can use milk chocolate or Dark Chocolate too, whatever you like. 1 cup crushed pretzels – I like to give them a rough chop so you get nice little pieces, not just one piece. I’m gonna try to make them all. 1 cup crushed potato chips – Plain, lightly salted ones work best. What are the best salty crunch recipes? 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like peanuts or pecans), 1/2 cups caramel bits, or chopped toffee bits. Customize this part to your heart’s content!
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar – For that sweet, smooth finish. 2-3 tablespoons of milk (or water) – Start with 2 teaspoons and add more if needed to reach your goal. What is the desired consistency of a 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) – Just to amp up the flavor a bit.
How do I follow step
Step 1: Preheat & Prep Pan
How do I get my oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius)? While that’s happening, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. How do you clean cookies? If you don’t have parchment paper, you can grease your baking sheets. How do I go for perfect, non-stick cookies every time?
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Give it a good whisk to make sure the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the recipe. What is the best way to leaven a cookie? Is it a small thing that makes ‘a big difference’?
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Set aside. Beat them with an electric mixer (or vigorously by hand if you’re feeling ambitious)! ) until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. What is the best way to stir in the vanilla extract?
Step 4: Combine
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. How do I not overmix here? Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tougher cookies. When you see streaks of flour, stop mixing. Is it better to have a little bit of flour left and finish by folding it in with the spatula?
Step 5: Prepare Filling
What is the fun part? Gently fold in your chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, and crushed potato chips into the cookie. If you’re using any optional add-ins like nuts or caramel bits, add them now too. Use a spatula to incorporate everything evenly. Again, be gentle and try not to overmix the dough at this stage.
Step 6: Layer & Swirl
How do you portion dough? Do not overdo the cookie dough. Place on a baking sheet. Between each cookie to allow for spreading. If you want flatter cookies, you can gently press them down slightly or leave them as little mounds. Is there a way to make Since these are “kitchen sink” style, the slightly irregular shapes actually add to their charm!
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look set but still firm. How long will it take for your oven to turn on? When you take them out of the oven, they’ll continue to cook a little on the baking sheet. I usually pull mine out when the very centers still look just a tiny bit underdone.
Step 8: Cool & Glaze
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. How do you cool a rack? What makes them soft when they come out of the oven? Once they’re completely cooled, you can whip up the glaze. How do you whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract? If it’s too thick, add another tablespoon of milk, one at a time, until you get ‘a nice thick’ consistency. Is there a How do you drizzle the glaze over cookies? Let the glaze set before serving, or dive right in!
Step 9: Slice & Serve
Once the glaze has set, your delicious kitchen sink cookies are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them on a platter, maybe with cold milk. Is it good to keep them all to yourself? What are some of the textures on these glazed cookies?
What should I serve it with?
What are some of the best kitchen sink cookies? What are the best things to do, making them perfect for any occasion. They’re surprisingly good alongside a strong cup of coffee, offering savoury, crunchy start to the day. Don’t knock it until you try it! My kids like to grab a banana with their breakfast cereal and it makes their morning extra special. For brunch, I love to arrange them on a tiered stand with some fresh fruit and maybe some mini mini muffins. They add a fun, less formal element to an elegant spread. For dessert, these are a guaranteed hit after any meal. What are some good ice cream recipes to serve warm with a scoop of vanilla beans? If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of whipped cream on top is never gonna hurt. And for those cozy nights in, when you just need a little something sweet, they’re the perfect thing. What is a good companion to hot chocolate or herbal tea? We sometimes have a cookie bar where everyone picks their favorite add-ins for their own night. I love cookies, and it’s always a huge hit. They truly fit into any meal or snacking scenario with ease.
How do I make a perfect kitchen sink cookie?
Okay, so you want to make these kitchen sink cookies absolutely perfect? I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that really elevate them. First, when it comes to the chocolate chips, I often use a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips for a more complex flavor. And don’t be afraid to chop up some of your chocolate chips if you want smaller bursts of chocolate. For the pretzels and potato chips, crushing them is key, but avoid making them into a fine powder. You want discernible pieces that will offer that satisfying crunch. I usually put them in a ziploc bag and give them a few good whacks with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan. When mixing the dough, my biggest tip is: don’t overmix! Once the flour is added, mix *just* until it’s combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough, cakey cookies instead of the chewy, slightly dense texture we’re aiming for. If you see little streaks of flour, that’s totally fine; they’ll get incorporated as you add the mix-ins. For baking, ovens can be so different. I’ve learned to watch the edges; they should be golden brown, but the center should still look a little soft. They firm up as they cool. If your cookies tend to spread too much, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help. And for the glaze, the key is the consistency. You want it thin enough to drizzle easily but thick enough to hold its shape slightly. If it’s too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. I also sometimes add a pinch of salt to the glaze to balance the sweetness, which is a little trick I picked up!
What are some tips for Storing and Reheating
How do you make kitchen sink cookies? My family has a knack for making them disappear in mere hours! For storing at room temperature, once they’re completely cool and the glaze has set, place them in a container. In an airtight container. Is it safe to eat these for 3-4 days? If you want them to stay even fresher, you can place a slice of bread in the container with them. It helps maintain their moisture. If you need to store them for longer, the refrigerator is your best bet. What are some of the best ways to store them in an airtight container? What are the textures of a tomato? For freezing, these cookies are absolute champs! Can you freeze cookies? Is it safe to put them in a freezer-safe dish and freeze them? What is a bag or container? Can you keep them for up to 3 months? To reheat, you can gently warm them in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 15 minutes. If you just microwaved a few minutes, you could pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. What makes chocolate brownies so good at room temperature? How do you make a fresh baked cookie? If you’ve glazed them, make sure the glaze is fully set before storing or freezing.
What are the most frequently asked questions on
Final Thoughts
What are some of my favorite kitchen sink cookies? I hope you give these cookies a try. They’re more than just cookies. Why is more really more, especially when it comes to money? What are the perfect treats for a bake sale, potluck, or just when you need to boost your mood? If you love these, you might also enjoy my other posts.What are some good peanut butter cookies? or my ultimate brownie recipe, which both have that same “wow” factor! Let me know in the comments below how yours turn out, and what wonderful mix-ins you decided to add. I’m always looking for new inspiration! Happy baking, everyone!
Kitchen Sink Cookies
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup pretzel pieces
- 1 cup potato chips, crushed
- 0.5 cup caramel bits
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, crushed potato chips, and caramel bits.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
