The Ultimate Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe: Chewy, Sweet & Salty Panera Copycat Perfection
Embark on a culinary adventure with the ultimate Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe, a delightful Panera copycat creation stuffed with an irresistible assortment of your favorite mix-ins! These “everything but the kitchen sink” cookies are truly the best of all loaded cookie recipes. If you crave a harmonious blend of sweet and salty, coupled with a satisfyingly chewy texture, then you absolutely must try this homemade kitchen sink cookie recipe. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a craving, these customizable cookies are guaranteed to impress. Don’t forget to explore our festive Christmas variation for a holiday treat!
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For those who adore this loaded cookie recipe, you’ll also love my Oatmeal Cookie Bars with Brown Butter and Salted Nutella Swirl, my Coconut Macadamia Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate Chunks, and my fun Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies!
Mastering the Everything But the Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
The concept of “everything but the kitchen sink” truly comes to life in these exceptional cookies. Have you ever found yourself staring into your pantry, wondering what magical treat you could conjure from those half-eaten bags of chips, leftover candies, and stray pretzel pieces? This Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe is your answer! It’s designed not only to be incredibly delicious but also wonderfully adaptable, making it a fantastic way to utilize various sweet and salty ingredients you might already have on hand.
This particular recipe builds upon the reliable foundation of my acclaimed Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies. This versatile cookie base is also the secret behind other beloved creations like my Chocolate Chip and Marshmallow Cookies and the vibrant Cookie Monster Cookies. Its consistent chewiness and rich flavor ensure that any mix-ins you choose will shine.
Kitchen Sink Cookies: A Better-Than-Panera Copycat
If you’re a fan of the famous Kitchen Sink Cookies sold at Panera Bread, you know their delightful combination of semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, rich caramel pieces, and crunchy pretzels, all finished with a sprinkle of flaky salt. This recipe draws inspiration from that beloved classic, but we believe it takes the concept to an even higher level! While Panera’s version is fantastic, our homemade Kitchen Sink Cookies allow for endless customization and a freshness that simply can’t be beaten.
Beyond Panera, various interpretations of the kitchen sink cookie exist. For example, Aldi offers a version that starts with a peanut butter dough base, while Crumbl’s kitchen sink cookies typically feature a hearty oatmeal base. Our recipe, however, focuses on a rich brown sugar cookie dough, loaded with a diverse medley of sweet and salty elements: think generous chocolate chips, colorful M&Ms, crispy mini pretzels, savory potato chips, and chewy caramel bits. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility – truly, anything else you’ve got hanging around in your pantry can find a home here, creating a unique and personalized treat every time.
What Exactly Are Kitchen Sink Cookies?
At their core, Kitchen Sink Cookies are an explosion of flavors and textures in every bite. They are typically bakery-style cookies known for their wonderfully chewy interior, crispy edges, and a generous packing of both sweet and salty add-ins. Imagine biting into a cookie that offers the rich indulgence of chocolate chips, the satisfying crunch of pretzels and potato chips, the buttery notes of toffee, and the sweet burst of candy pieces. The base is often a brown sugar cookie dough, similar to a classic chocolate chip cookie, providing that comforting, familiar flavor profile. To elevate the experience, many versions, including ours, are finished with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt, intensifying that irresistible sweet-salty combination. The magic of these cookies truly lies in their customizability; you can tailor them with almost any ingredient you love, making each batch a new adventure.
The Origin of the Name: Why “Kitchen Sink”?
The whimsical name “Kitchen Sink Cookie” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this inventive dessert. It comes from the common idiom “everything but the kitchen sink,” meaning to include nearly everything imaginable. When it comes to these cookies, you truly can throw in “everything but the kitchen sink” – combining a diverse array of sweet and salty mix-ins to create a personalized masterpiece. This approach not only encourages creativity and experimentation in the kitchen but also offers a practical solution for using up those smaller quantities of ingredients you might have leftover in your pantry. Whether you prefer a heavy emphasis on chocolate, an extra crunch from nuts, or a burst of fruitiness, these customizable cookies are the perfect canvas for your baking imagination, ensuring every batch is uniquely yours.
Unveiling the Flavor Profile: What Does a Kitchen Sink Cookie Taste Like?
A true Kitchen Sink Cookie delivers an extraordinary symphony of tastes and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Imagine the first bite: you’ll immediately experience a delightful dance between rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and luscious caramel notes from the various chips and candy pieces. This sweetness is beautifully contrasted and balanced by the savory crunch and subtle saltiness of ingredients like pretzels or potato chips. Every single bite offers a new sensory experience – from the tender, buttery chewiness of the cookie base to the crisp snap of a pretzel, the yielding softness of a caramel bit, and the satisfying melt of chocolate. It’s like enjoying several different desserts all at once, creating a complex and deeply satisfying flavor journey that makes these cookies utterly irresistible and uniquely memorable. The blend of textures, from gooey to crunchy, ensures a dynamic and exciting treat.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Kitchen Sink Cookies
The full list of ingredient measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below. However, here’s a closer look at the key components you’ll need to create these incredible Kitchen Sink Cookies, along with why each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture:
- Unsalted Butter: We opt for unsalted butter in this recipe, which we’ll melt before incorporating into the dough. Melting the butter helps create a chewier cookie texture, as it allows the sugar to dissolve more fully and affects gluten development differently than softened butter.
- Light Brown Sugar: This is crucial for achieving the characteristic rich sweetness and moist, chewy texture of our everything but the kitchen sink cookies. Brown sugar’s molasses content not only imparts a deeper flavor but also contributes significantly to the cookie’s tenderness.
- Large Eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the butter and sugar, creating a smoother, more uniform dough and contributing to a better overall cookie structure and rise. If your eggs are cold, simply submerge them in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 10-15 minutes.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: For the most robust and authentic flavor, I highly recommend using a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can even make your own for an unparalleled aroma and taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: Accurate measurement of flour is paramount in baking. To prevent a dense or dry cookie, I strongly advise measuring your all-purpose flour by weight with akitchen scale, or by using the spoon-and-level method.
- Cornstarch: A secret ingredient for ultimate softness! Adding cornstarch to our kitchen sink cookie recipe helps create a wonderfully tender and almost melt-in-your-mouth texture, preventing them from becoming overly crisp.
- Baking Soda: This essential leavening agent is responsible for the gentle lift and spread of our cookies, ensuring they achieve a perfectly soft and slightly chewy consistency.
- Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of salt in sweet recipes! It acts as a flavor enhancer, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the depth of all the other amazing flavors, especially those in the mix-ins.
- Mix-ins: This is where the fun truly begins! My preferred combination includes caramel bits, semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini pretzels, M&Ms, and potato chips for a fantastic sweet and salty dynamic. However, the possibilities are endless! See the section below for a comprehensive list of substitution options, or how to transform these into a festive Christmas kitchen sink cookies recipe.
- Flaky Sea Salt: A final flourish that is not just for decoration. Sprinkling flaky sea salt on top after baking provides a delightful textural contrast and intensifies the sweet and salty flavor combination, balancing these cookies perfectly.
Essential Equipment for Baking Kitchen Sink Cookies
To successfully bring this delectable Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe to life, you’ll need a few standard kitchen tools. Having the right equipment makes the baking process smoother and helps ensure consistently excellent results:
- Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all your wet and dry ingredients without spills, and for folding in those abundant mix-ins.
- Whisk: Perfect for thoroughly blending the melted butter and brown sugar, and incorporating the eggs and vanilla until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Rubber Spatula: Ideal for gently folding in the flour mixture and ensuring your mix-ins are evenly distributed without overworking the dough.
- Kitchen Scale: I cannot stress this enough – a kitchen scale is highly recommended for measuring dry ingredients like flour. It provides the most accurate measurements, preventing dense, dry cookies and ensuring a consistent outcome every time.
- #24 Cookie Scoop: I use this medium-large cookie scoop to portion out dough balls. It holds approximately 2.5 tablespoons, resulting in generously sized, thick, and chewy cookies. If you prefer slightly smaller cookies, a #30 cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) works well too, just keep an eye on them a few minutes earlier during baking.
- Baking Sheet: You’ll need at least one large baking sheet to bake your cookies.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Line your baking sheet with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking, promotes even browning, and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Tiered Wire Rack: An excellent tool for cooling your cookies. A tiered wire rack allows for proper air circulation, ensuring your cookies cool evenly and maintain their delightful texture without becoming soggy on the bottom.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake Your Kitchen Sink Cookies
For a detailed, step-by-step guide and a helpful recipe video, please refer to the complete recipe card below. Here are the fundamental steps you’ll follow to create these irresistible Kitchen Sink Cookies:
1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the melted butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth, lightened, and uniform. This ensures the sugar dissolves well, contributing to a chewy texture.
2. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition until fully incorporated. Follow with the pure vanilla extract and whisk again until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes smooth and cohesive.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt through a fine mesh sieve directly into the wet mixture. Sifting helps prevent lumps and ensures even distribution of the leavening agents. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined to form a soft dough, being careful not to overmix.
4. Fold in Mix-Ins: Now for the fun part! Add all your chosen mix-ins – chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzels, potato chips, caramel bits, and any other favorites – to the dough. Fold them in gently using your rubber spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Avoid crushing delicate ingredients.
5. Portion and Bake: Use a medium cookie scoop (like a #24 or #30) to portion out uniform cookie dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. For an extra bakery-style appeal, press a few additional mix-ins onto the tops of each dough ball. Bake in a preheated oven (350°F / 175°C) for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
6. Finishing Touch and Enjoy: As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately sprinkle them generously with flaky sea salt. This enhances the sweet and salty dynamic. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, sink your teeth in and enjoy!
Hint: For perfectly round, professional-looking cookies, take a large round biscuit cutter (or even a mug) and gently swirl it around each warm cookie right when it comes out of the oven. This helps reshape any irregular edges while the cookie is still pliable.
Unleash Your Creativity: Endless Mix-In Options!
The beauty of “everything but the kitchen sink” cookies lies in their infinite customizability. The primary goal for our mix-ins is to achieve that perfect, addictive balance of sweet and salty, which is why my go-to combination includes M&Ms, semi-sweet chocolate chips, chewy caramel bits, crunchy mini pretzels, and savory potato chips. However, don’t feel limited! Here are some fantastic options to swap in or add to your next batch, allowing you to truly make this recipe your own:
- M&Ms Alternatives:
- Candy-Coated Chocolates: Experiment with different flavors of M&Ms (peanut, crispy, caramel) or swap in Reese’s Pieces for a peanut butter kick.
- Chopped Candy Bars: Roughly chop up Snickers bars, Twix, Kit Kats, or Butterfingers for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Sprinkles: For a purely aesthetic, fun pop of color, especially for themed cookies.
- Chocolate Chip Variations:
- Different Chocolate Types: Substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with indulgent milk chocolate chips, creamy white chocolate chips, or even rich dark chocolate chunks for varying degrees of sweetness.
- Nut Butter Chips: Peanut butter chips or Biscoff chips add a distinctive nutty, savory-sweet flavor.
- Other Baking Morsels: Consider cream cheese baking morsels for a tangy counterpoint, or classic butterscotch chips for a nostalgic, caramelly taste.
- Caramel Bits & Chewy Additions:
- Toffee: English toffee bits or Heath Bar pieces provide a buttery, crunchy, and slightly bitter contrast.
- Soft Caramels: If you don’t have bits, simply cut soft caramels into smaller pieces.
- Mini Marshmallows: These will melt and create pockets of gooey goodness within the cookies.
- Dried Fruits: Sweetened dried coconut flakes, plump raisins, or tart dried cranberries can add chewiness and a fruity note.
- Crunchy & Salty Pretzels Alternatives:
- Nuts: Roughly chop some roasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, or even roasted pistachios for a sophisticated crunch and earthy flavor.
- Breakfast Cereals: Believe it or not, crushed cornflakes, Cheerios, or even cinnamon toast crunch can add an unexpected and delicious crispness.
- Granola: For a chewier, more wholesome texture and additional flavor.
- Potato Chips Substitutes:
- Crackers: Crushed Ritz crackers offer a buttery, salty crunch, while saltine crackers provide a simpler savory element.
- More Pretzels: If you just love pretzels, double up on them!
- Tortilla Chips: For a truly unique savory twist, try lightly crushed plain tortilla chips (use sparingly).
Festive Kitchen Sink Cookies: The Christmas Version!
The versatility of this kitchen sink cookies recipe makes it absolutely perfect for the holiday season! They’re a fantastic addition to any cookie tray, a delightful contribution to a cookie exchange, or simply a festive treat for your family. The customizability allows you to infuse them with all your favorite festive flavors and colors. Here’s how you can transform these already incredible cookies into a truly magical Christmas version:
- White Chocolate Boost: Replace half of your regular semi-sweet chocolate chips with creamy white chocolate chips. This adds a lovely contrast in color and a milder, sweeter chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with other holiday elements.
- Holiday Colors: Swap out regular M&Ms for festive red and green Holiday M&Ms. This instantly gives your kitchen sink cookies that quintessential Christmas color and cheer.
- Peppermint Delight: For a classic holiday flavor, substitute the caramel bits with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies. The cool, minty crunch will be a delightful surprise.
- Sparkling Sprinkles: And, of course, adding a generous amount of red and green sprinkles – or even some snowflake-shaped sprinkles – is always a wonderful idea for an extra festive touch. You can mix them into the dough or press them onto the top of the cookie balls before baking.
Hearty Oatmeal Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
For those who love a cookie with even more delicious texture and a slightly heartier feel, you can easily transform this recipe into amazing oatmeal kitchen sink cookies! The addition of oats not only enhances the chewiness but also adds a wholesome, nutty flavor that complements the sweet and salty mix-ins beautifully. To make this delightful variation, simply reduce the all-purpose flour to 2 cups and incorporate 1 â…“ cups of old-fashioned rolled oats into your dry ingredients. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as normal, and bake as directed. You’ll be rewarded with a cookie that is even more substantial and satisfying.
Elevate Your Bake with Brown Butter Kitchen Sink Cookies!
If you’re looking to truly take this already fantastic kitchen sink cookies recipe to an extraordinary level, then I highly recommend incorporating brown butter. As someone obsessed with the incredible depth of flavor that brown butter brings to baked goods, you’ll know that I’m always advocating for it! Brown butter, also known as beurre noisette, adds a complex, nutty, and subtly caramel-like aroma and taste that elevates any cookie from great to unforgettable.
The process is simple: just brown your butter according to the easy step-by-step instructions detailed in my comprehensive How to Make Brown Butter post. Once your butter is beautifully browned and fragrant, remember to add back 2 tablespoons of water to compensate for the moisture that evaporates during the browning process. This ensures your cookies maintain their perfect texture. After that, proceed with the rest of this Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe as normal, and prepare yourself for a depth of flavor that will amaze you and anyone lucky enough to try them!
Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness
To keep your delicious everything but the kitchen sink cookies fresh and chewy for as long as possible, proper storage is key. Once completely cooled, you can store these cookies at room temperature in a cookie jar or another airtight container for up to 4 days. Layering them with parchment paper can help prevent them from sticking together. Beyond that, to extend their freshness, you can transfer them to the refrigerator, where they will keep well for up to a week.
For longer-term storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. Once fully cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes until solid. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, ensuring they are well wrapped to prevent freezer burn. They will maintain their quality for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for that freshly baked feel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Sink Cookies
Classic kitchen sink cookie mix-ins often include a harmonious blend of sweet and salty elements such as semi-sweet chocolate chips, crunchy pretzels, savory potato chips, creamy peanut butter chips, buttery toffee bits, and/or colorful M&Ms. The beauty, however, is in the customization! You can truly make these cookies your own by adding ingredients like chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts), decadent white chocolate chunks, classic butterscotch chips, or even bits of your favorite crushed candy bars. And for that signature flavor balance, don’t ever forget a final sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top!
The kitchen sink cookies sold at Crumbl are known for their generous size and signature chewy texture. Typically, they feature a hearty oatmeal cookie base loaded with classic mix-ins such as semi-sweet chocolate chips, rich toffee pieces, crisp pretzels, and crunchy potato chips. Like our homemade kitchen sink cookie recipe, Crumbl’s version is also finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, providing that essential perfect sweet-and-salty flavor contrast that makes these cookies so addictive. Our recipe offers a similar loaded cookie experience, allowing you to recreate that bakery-style magic at home.
No, this particular kitchen sink cookie recipe is based on my tried-and-true chocolate chip cookie recipe, which is the same reliable base I use for my dairy-free cookies and my butterscotch chocolate chip cookies. And, just like those, this is designed to be a no-chill recipe! This means you can mix the dough and bake your cookies almost immediately, making it perfect for when a craving strikes. That being said, if you do have a bit of extra time, allowing the dough to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour can provide a boost of flavor as the ingredients meld together, deepening the overall taste. But it’s entirely optional for delicious results!
Absolutely! Freezing cookie dough is a fantastic way to prepare ahead and always have fresh cookies on hand. Simply scoop the prepared dough into individual balls using your cookie scoop, then arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flash freeze them for about 30 minutes until they are solid. Once firm, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw; just place them on a prepared baking sheet and bake straight from frozen, adding an extra 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
They’re even better! Panera Bread’s kitchen sink cookie is celebrated for its thick, chewy texture and its generous filling of rich chocolate, gooey caramel, crunchy pretzels, and a touch of sea salt. Our homemade recipe masterfully recreates that irresistible sweet-and-salty profile, but with our own elevated twist. We pack in even more diverse mix-ins, including vibrant M&Ms and crispy, savory potato chips, to ensure every bite is an explosion of flavor and texture that truly surpasses the original. You’ll love the freshness and customizable potential of this homemade version!
For the best results and a truly satisfying cookie, I recommend using a medium cookie scoop. My personal preference is a #24 cookie scoop, which holds approximately 2.5 tablespoons of dough. This size yields beautifully thick, dense, and generously sized cookies that bake up perfectly with chewy centers and slightly crispy edges. If you prefer a slightly smaller cookie, a #30 cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) also works wonderfully, just keep an eye on your oven and potentially reduce the baking time by a minute or two to prevent overbaking.
Absolutely, Kitchen Sink Cookies are an excellent choice for holidays! Their customizable nature makes them perfect for festive occasions. As highlighted in our section above, you can easily adapt these cookies to be Christmas-friendly. This includes swapping in delightful mix-ins like crushed candy canes for a minty crunch, incorporating red and green M&Ms for a vibrant holiday aesthetic, and adding a sprinkle of festive sprinkles. They make a wonderful addition to holiday cookie trays, thoughtful homemade gifts, or a special treat for Santa Claus!
Top Baking Tip for Perfect Cookies!
Never forget the importance of accurate measurements in baking! Always measure your all-purpose flour by weight with a kitchen scale. This simple step will help ensure you add just the right amount of flour, preventing your cookies from turning out dry, dense, or cakey, and instead, guaranteeing that wonderfully chewy texture!
Discover More Delicious Cookie & Dessert Recipes
If you’re as enamored with this Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe as we are, you’ll surely love exploring other delightful creations. Here are some related recipes that are equally irresistible:
- Oatmeal Cookie Bars with Brown Butter and Salted Nutella Swirl
- Samoa Pie
- Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream
- Halloween Candy Bark with Oreo Cookies
Perfect Pairings for Your Kitchen Sink Cookies
These incredible cookies are a treat all on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages and other delights. Here are some of my favorite dishes and drinks to serve alongside this versatile recipe:
- Peppermint Espresso Martini
- Oat Milk Eggnog
- Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup
- Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt
If you try this exceptional recipe, I would be absolutely thrilled if you could leave a star review rating and a comment below! Hearing your feedback is truly wonderful and helps our community grow. And don’t forget to share your magnificent cookie creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
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BEST Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe – Panera Copycat
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Equipment you may need
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baking sheet
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silicone baking mat
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parchment paper
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#24 cookie scoop
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mixing bowls
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rubber spatula
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whisk
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food scale
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup (330 g) light brown sugar – packed, for rich sweetness and a chewy texture
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter – melted, contributes to a chewier cookie
- 2 large eggs – room temperature, for better emulsification and cookie structure
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure vanilla extract – store-bought or homemade, for rich flavor
- 2 â…” cups (333 g) all-purpose flour – measured by weight using a kitchen scale or with the spoon and level method, essential for proper texture
- 4 teaspoon (8 g) cornstarch – for an incredibly soft and tender cookie texture
- 1 teaspoon (4 g) baking soda – acts as a leavening agent for perfect rise and texture
- 1 ¼ teaspoon (8 g) salt – enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness
- 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips – a classic sweet foundation
- ¾ cup (156 g) M&M chocolate candies – for color, chocolatey goodness, and a slight crunch
- ¾ cup (177 g) caramel bits – adds chewy sweetness and rich flavor
- 1 cup (80 g) mini pretzels – broken into pieces, provides essential salty crunch
- ½ cup (43 g) wavy potato chips – broken into pieces, for an extra salty, savory crunch
- flaky sea salt – for topping, to enhance the sweet and salty flavors
Instructions
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Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with either a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy release.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the light brown sugar. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is thoroughly combined, smooth, and has a slightly lighter color. Next, add the room temperature eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition until fully incorporated and fluffy. Finally, stir in the pure vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and cohesive.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 ½ cup light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
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Into the wet ingredients, carefully sift the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt through a fine mesh sieve. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
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Now it’s time for the “everything but the kitchen sink” magic! Add all your chosen mix-ins: the semi-sweet chocolate chips, M&M chocolate candies, caramel bits, mini pretzels, and wavy potato chips. Using your rubber spatula, gently fold these additions into the dough until they are evenly distributed. Be careful not to over-mix or crush the more delicate ingredients too much.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ¾ cup M&M chocolate candies, ¾ cup caramel bits, 1 cup mini pretzels, ½ cup wavy potato chips
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Using your medium cookie scoop, portion out even balls of cookie dough onto your prepared cookie sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. For a visually appealing cookie, gently press a few extra mix-ins onto the tops of each dough ball before baking.
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Bake for approximately 9-11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are beautifully golden brown and the centers still appear slightly soft and not quite set. This ensures a wonderfully chewy interior. Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, sprinkle them generously with flaky sea salt for that perfect sweet-salty balance. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, it’s time to indulge and enjoy!flaky sea salt
Video
Notes
For that coveted soft, chewy texture with slightly crisp edges, it’s crucial not to over-bake your cookies! When you remove them from the oven, the centers should still appear soft and not quite fully set, with the edges just starting to turn golden brown. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
Storage Solutions: Keeping Your Cookies Fresh
This delightful M&M cookie recipe, packed with all your favorite mix-ins, keeps remarkably well. Store cooled cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. For longer preservation, you can also freeze these baked everything but the kitchen sink cookies, well wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently before serving.
Mix-in Options: Endless Customization for Your Perfect Cookie
The objective with our mix-ins is to have a perfect, addictive balance of sweet and salty, which is why I combined M&Ms, semisweet chocolate chips, caramel bits, mini pretzels, and potato chips in the main recipe. If you want to swap in alternate mix-ins or add even more variety, here are some fantastic options to inspire your creativity:
- M&Ms: Feel free to swap in any flavor of M&Ms (e.g., peanut, crispy), or try Reese’s Pieces for a peanut butter flavor, chopped up Snickers bars for gooey caramel and nougat, or simply a medley of colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Chocolate Chips: Instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, you can use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter profile, white chocolate chips for a creamy, milder taste, peanut butter chips for a nutty twist, cream cheese baking morsels for a subtle tang, or classic butterscotch chips for a unique flavor.
- Caramel Bits: These can be swapped for crunchy toffee bits, caramels cut into smaller pieces, soft mini marshmallows (which create gooey pockets when baked), sweetened dried coconut flakes for tropical notes, or dried fruit like plump raisins or tart dried cranberries for chewiness.
- Mini Pretzels: Substitute another crunchy mix-in! Consider chopping up some roasted pecans, roasted pistachios, or even your favorite crunchy breakfast cereal for an unexpected textural element.
- Potato Chips: For another salty crunch, swap these for crushed Ritz crackers, saltine crackers, or simply use more pretzels if you prefer!
Kitchen Sink Cookies, Christmas Version: A Festive Holiday Delight
I absolutely adore making this recipe for kitchen sink cookies during the Christmas season! They are wonderfully versatile and perfect for holiday cookie trays, festive gifts, or a fun cookie exchange. The best part is how easily you can customize them with your favorite festive mix-ins! Here’s how I create a spectacular Christmas version:
- Replace half of the chocolate chips with creamy white chocolate chips for a beautiful color contrast and festive sweetness.
- Use vibrant red and green Holiday M&Ms to instantly give these kitchen sink cookies a joyful Christmas color and theme.
- Swap the chewy caramel bits for refreshing crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces for that classic holiday minty crunch.
- And, for an extra celebratory touch, adding some festive red and green sprinkles (or even silver and gold!) to the dough or pressed on top before baking is always a fantastic idea for the holiday season!
Oatmeal Kitchen Sink Cookies: Adding Wholesome Texture
For even more delicious texture and a slightly heartier feel in this kitchen sink recipe, you can easily turn them into comforting oatmeal kitchen sink cookies! To do this, simply reduce the all-purpose flour to 2 cups and add 1 â…“ cups of old-fashioned rolled oats to your dry ingredients. Bake as normal for a delightful chew and wholesome flavor.
Essential Equipment for Success
To mix this recipe for kitchen sink cookies, you’ll need a large mixing bowl for ample space, a sturdy whisk to properly combine ingredients, and a rubber spatula for gentle folding. I also always highly recommend using a kitchen scale for precisely measuring dry ingredients, ensuring consistent results every time.
I prefer to use a #24 cookie scoop to portion out medium-large, uniform cookie balls. However, a slightly smaller #30 cookie scoop works just as well – just remember to check them a few minutes earlier as they will bake faster. To bake your cookies, you’ll need a baking sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. Lastly, a tiered wire rack is invaluable for cooling the cookies evenly and preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy.
Pro Tip for Perfectly Round Cookies!
To achieve those coveted perfectly round, bakery-style cookies, here’s a simple trick: immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, take a large round biscuit cutter (or even a mug slightly larger than your cookies) and gently swirl it around each warm cookie. This helps to push any irregular edges back into a neat, circular shape while the cookies are still pliable, giving them a polished finish.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
