These Kitchen Sink Cookies are a cookie lover’s dream come true—packed with a playful mix of chocolate chips, pretzels, potato chips, peanuts, and toffee bits. Every bite delivers a unique combination of salty, sweet, chewy, and crunchy textures that make it hard to stop at just one.
They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat. Whether you’re baking for a weekend treat, gifting to a friend, or prepping for a cookie swap, these cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Best of all, you can customize the mix-ins based on what you have in your pantry—so it’s the perfect “clean out your cupboard” dessert!
Full Recipe:
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2 1/2 cups (338g) all-purpose flour
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1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
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1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
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3/4 cup (164g) light brown sugar, packed
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1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
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1 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 large eggs, at room temperature
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1 1/3 cups chocolate mix-ins (e.g., semi-sweet chocolate chips, chunks, or M&M’s)
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1 1/3 cups salty mix-ins (e.g., crushed salted potato chips or pretzels)
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1/2 cup nutty mix-ins (e.g., chopped roasted peanuts or almonds)
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1/4 cup chewy/sticky mix-ins (e.g., toffee bits or chopped caramels)
Directions:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until glossy.
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Add eggs and beat until fully combined and slightly creamy.
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Fold in the dry ingredients until almost combined—some flour streaks are okay.
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Gently stir in all your mix-ins until evenly distributed.
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Portion dough into 1/3 cup scoops (about 13-16 cookies), place on a lined baking sheet, and freeze for 15 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment.
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Bake cookies for 8 minutes, rotate sheets, and bake for an additional 6–9 minutes until edges are golden and centers set.
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Cool on baking sheets briefly, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 17 minutes | Total Time: 37 minutes
Kcal: 382 kcal | Servings: 13–16 cookies
The All-Inclusive Charm of Kitchen Sink Cookies
Kitchen Sink Cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re an expression of creativity and comfort. With a name derived from the popular phrase “everything but the kitchen sink,” these cookies celebrate abundance. They’re the kind of treat that brings people together, with their playful blend of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy ingredients. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner looking for a crowd-pleasing cookie, this recipe offers endless possibilities and guaranteed delight.
A Cookie for Everyone
What makes Kitchen Sink Cookies so universally appealing is their versatility. The idea behind them is to combine a variety of ingredients—often leftover pantry items or snacks—into a single, giant cookie that’s loaded with flavor and texture. Traditional cookie boundaries are tossed aside in favor of culinary chaos that somehow works brilliantly.
Unlike classic chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, which stick to a set structure, Kitchen Sink Cookies are a wild medley. You’ll often find chocolate chips, toffee bits, pretzels, potato chips, nuts, and even dried fruits in the same batch. Each bite surprises you with a different combo—sweet toffee crunch in one mouthful, a salty pretzel in the next. It’s a cookie that keeps you coming back.
The Origins and Evolution of Kitchen Sink Cookies
While there’s no definitive history behind the origin of Kitchen Sink Cookies, the concept likely evolved from resourceful home bakers wanting to use up partial bags of ingredients or leftovers. As with many great recipes, necessity and creativity came together.
In recent years, the idea gained massive popularity, especially in coffee shops and bakeries where large, decadent cookies are in high demand. Starbucks even sells a version, reinforcing the treat’s mainstream appeal. However, making them at home allows for more personalization and often better results.
A Balancing Act of Flavors and Textures
The genius of Kitchen Sink Cookies lies in their careful balance. At first glance, throwing chips, chocolate, nuts, and candy into one dough might seem chaotic. But done thoughtfully, it yields a cookie with a near-perfect contrast of flavors and textures.
Chocolatey elements—like semi-sweet chips or chunks—melt into the dough, offering rich depth. Salty components like pretzels or ridged potato chips provide crunch and contrast, elevating the sweetness rather than overwhelming it. Nutty add-ins bring a roasted, earthy note, while chewy or sticky ingredients like toffee bits or chopped caramels introduce a satisfying tug to each bite.
The dough itself is soft and chewy, made with melted butter and brown sugar to help everything meld together. The result is a cookie that’s neither too cakey nor too crisp. It hits that sweet spot in the middle—soft in the center, with slightly crispy, caramelized edges.
Why This Recipe Works for Everyone
One of the most beautiful aspects of this recipe is how adaptable it is. It welcomes substitutions and improvisations. Don’t like peanuts? Use chopped almonds or coconut. No toffee bits? Try butterscotch chips or mini marshmallows. This forgiving formula makes it perfect for families, gatherings, and bake sales.
Kids love helping out with these because they can pick their own mix-ins—making it an interactive kitchen activity. Adults love them for their complexity and nostalgia. And if you’re entertaining guests, serving Kitchen Sink Cookies warm with a scoop of ice cream will almost guarantee compliments.
Customizing the Cookie to Fit Your Pantry
The true magic of Kitchen Sink Cookies lies in how easily they adapt to what you have on hand. Here’s how you can personalize your version:
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Chocolate swaps: Use a mix of dark, white, or milk chocolate. Candy-coated chocolates (like M&Ms) add color and crunch.
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Crunch factor: Pretzels and potato chips bring salt and texture. Crushed cornflakes or rice cereal can work in a pinch.
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Nutty additions: Try pistachios, pecans, or even sunflower seeds for a nut-free alternative.
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Chewy surprises: Toffee bits, caramel pieces, or finely chopped dried figs and cranberries bring gooey bites that contrast nicely with the crunchy ones.
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Add a swirl: Nutella or peanut butter swirled gently into the dough adds richness without overcomplicating the structure.
You can also play with extract flavors—try almond, coconut, or maple extract for a twist. Spices like cinnamon, espresso powder, or nutmeg can create seasonal or themed versions.
Tips for Success
While this recipe is very forgiving, a few key tips will help elevate your results:
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Chill the dough: After scooping, chilling helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents overspreading. A short freeze of 15–30 minutes does the trick.
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Mind your mix-ins: Avoid over-mixing delicate ingredients like chips and pretzels to prevent them from breaking down too much in the dough.
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Use a large scoop: These cookies are meant to be generous. Using a 1/3 cup portion ensures you get a bakery-style cookie with layers of texture in every bite.
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Press extra toppings: Just before baking, gently press a few more mix-ins onto the tops for a beautiful and professional-looking finish.
How to Store and Freeze
Kitchen Sink Cookies are ideal for batch baking and freezing. Once baked, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They maintain their softness surprisingly well thanks to the moisture from the brown sugar and melted butter base.
To freeze, scoop the cookie dough into portions and place on a baking sheet. Chill until firm, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to two months. When ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time—no need to thaw.
This makes them a fantastic make-ahead treat. Bake off a few fresh whenever the craving hits, or stash a dozen in the freezer for last-minute guests.
Making It a Holiday or Party Favorite
Kitchen Sink Cookies are especially popular around the holidays. With the ability to customize colors, flavors, and ingredients, you can tailor them to any occasion:
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Halloween: Add candy corn, crushed chocolate bars, or orange-and-black M&Ms.
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Christmas: Mix in peppermint chips, dried cranberries, and white chocolate.
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Valentine’s Day: Use strawberry-flavored chips or drizzle with melted pink chocolate.
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Birthday parties: Add colorful sprinkles or chopped candy bars for a festive touch.
They also package well in cookie tins or cellophane bags, making them a fantastic gift option. Tie them with a ribbon and a handwritten label and you’ve got an instant, heartfelt treat.
Conclusion: A Cookie That Breaks the Rules—and Wins
Kitchen Sink Cookies are not about precision—they’re about joy. They break free from rigid measurements and exact pairings to embrace culinary creativity. Whether you’re baking to relax, entertain, impress, or indulge, these cookies deliver on all fronts.
They’re chewy yet crispy, salty yet sweet, customizable yet cohesive. They invite experimentation and celebrate imperfection. Each batch is different, but each one is delicious. This is not just a cookie recipe—it’s a kitchen adventure in a mixing bowl.
If you’ve never made Kitchen Sink Cookies before, now’s the time to dive in. Raid your pantry, gather your favorite snacks, and trust the process. What comes out of the oven might just be the most satisfying cookie you’ve ever had.