If you love a cookie that surprises you with every bite, the Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. Packed full of chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, and even a salty crunch, these cookies are exactly what their name promises: everything but the kitchen sink tossed into one irresistible bite of chewy, sweet goodness. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or just sneaking one too many when no one’s looking. This recipe is a celebration of textures and flavors that combine to create a truly unforgettable treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple pantry staples with a few fun extras that make the Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe truly shine. Each item plays a key role – from the creamy butter that creates a soft base to the mix-ins that add bursts of sweetness, crunch, and color.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and helps create that tender, chewy texture.
- Brown sugar (1 cup): Adds moistness and deep caramel notes for warmth in flavor.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances the sweetness and helps cookies crisp around the edges.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and give structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances all the flavors with its sweet, fragrant aroma.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Forms the base of the dough, giving the cookies their substance.
- Baking soda (1 tsp): Helps the cookies rise and become delightfully soft.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Balances sweetness and intensifies all the other flavors.
- Chocolate chips (1 cup): Melty pockets of indulgence that every bite needs.
- Chopped nuts (1/2 cup): Adds crunch and a nutty depth; walnuts, pecans, or almonds all work beautifully.
- Dried cranberries or raisins (1/2 cup): Offers bursts of chewy sweetness and a lovely pop of color.
- Shredded coconut (1/2 cup, optional): Provides a tropical twist and chewy texture.
- Crushed pretzels or potato chips (1/2 cup, optional): Adds a surprising salty crunch that elevates every mouthful.
How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. This simple step sets you up for cookie success.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, whip the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This creaming step is crucial for creating tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract, which brings that comforting, familiar warmth to the dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures they are evenly distributed so your cookies rise perfectly and have consistent flavor throughout.
Step 5: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything comes together. Over-mixing can make cookies tough, so mix gently and stop as soon as the flour disappears into the dough.
Step 6: Fold in the Mix-Ins
Now comes the fun part! Fold in your chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, and if you’re feeling adventurous, add shredded coconut and crushed pretzels or potato chips. This combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy is the heart of the Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, making sure to space each cookie about two inches apart. This spacing prevents sticking as the cookies spread out. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching closely for golden edges with centers that stay soft.
Step 8: Cooling Time
Once baked, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set perfectly and prevents them from breaking apart.
How to Serve Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delicious on their own, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra touch of elegance and sweetness. Adding a few whole nuts or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking can also amplify the flavor experience beautifully.
Side Dishes
Something cold and creamy pairs wonderfully with these hearty cookies — think a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk. You could even serve them alongside a cup of rich coffee or hot cocoa to contrast the cookie’s variety of textures and intensities.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful by stacking cookies with layers of frosting or cream for a cookie sandwich. You could also crumble these cookies over yogurt or ice cream to add a crunchy surprise. For parties, arrange them on a whimsical platter with colorful fruit for a feast that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Layer them between parchment paper to prevent sticking, and you’ll have a batch that stays soft and chewy.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen cookies will stay fresh for up to three months, making spontaneous indulgence easy whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
To bring frozen or leftover cookies back to life, warm them gently in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. The warmth restores that just-baked softness and makes the chocolate melt in the most delightful way.
FAQs
Can I customize the mix-ins in the Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! The beauty of this recipe is how flexible it is. Swap out nuts, dried fruit, or salty add-ins based on what you have and your preferences. Just keep the total amount of mix-ins roughly the same to maintain balance in texture and flavor.
What makes these cookies chewy and not cakey?
The combination of brown sugar, butter, and careful mixing creates a chewy texture. Avoid over-mixing and don’t overbake, as that can dry them out. The fats and sugars lock in moisture, giving you that perfect chew.
Can I use a different type of flour?
For best results, stick with all-purpose flour. Using whole wheat or gluten-free flour will alter the texture and structure, but if you want to experiment, you might have to adjust the liquid amounts or add binding agents like xanthan gum.
Is it okay to omit the optional ingredients?
Yes! The optional coconut and pretzels or chips add extra fun texture and flavor, but leaving them out won’t compromise the core deliciousness. Your cookies will still be packed with goodies and delicious.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for about 30 minutes if you find the cookies spreading too thin. Using parchment paper or a silicone mat also helps control spreading without sticking.
Final Thoughts
The Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is a joy to whip up and an even bigger joy to eat. Every bite offers a delightful surprise, making it perfect for sharing or savoring solo. I hope you give this recipe a try soon — it’s the kind of cookie that reminds you how fun and flexible baking can be. Happy baking, and even happier munching!
Print
Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These delicious Kitchen Sink Cookies are a delightful mix of textures and flavors, packed with chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, coconut, and crunchy pretzels or potato chips. Perfectly soft on the inside with golden edges, these cookies are a fantastic treat that combines sweet, salty, and nutty elements all in one bite.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 1/2 cup crushed pretzels or potato chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is well incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can make cookies tough.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried cranberries or raisins, shredded coconut, and crushed pretzels or potato chips if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden while the centers remain soft, indicating perfect doneness.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can customize the mix-ins based on preference or what you have on hand—try different nuts or dried fruits.
- Optional mix-ins like shredded coconut and crushed pretzels add interesting texture but can be omitted if preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for freshness.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake by reducing baking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature to cream properly.
