The Ultimate Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies: A Sweet & Salty Extravaganza
Prepare to embark on a truly unforgettable cookie adventure with these incredible Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies. Imagine a cookie that defies expectations, offering a symphony of textures and flavors in every single bite. Packed generously with multiple types of chocolate, complemented by the delightful crunch and savory notes of pretzel pieces, these aren’t just cookies – they’re a culinary experience. The only thing you’ll find missing from this indulgent recipe is, quite literally, the kitchen sink itself, and perhaps an extra glass of milk to wash down the deliciousness!
If you’ve been searching for a truly creative and satisfying cookie recipe that breaks away from the ordinary, now is the perfect moment to dive into something new and exciting. These everything cookies are so remarkably tasty and wonderfully crafted that everyone who tries them will undoubtedly be captivated from the very first mouthful. Each large, generously sized cookie delivers an abundance of rich chocolate, vibrant flavor, and an exciting interplay of textures, making every bite a delightful surprise. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these show-stopping treats!
What Makes Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies So Irresistible?
These aren’t your average pretzel chocolate chip cookies; they are an extraordinary creation designed to deliver an explosion of deliciousness. Each cookie is generously loaded with an impressive array of ingredients, including colorful mini M&Ms, a diverse selection of chocolates ranging from rich cocoa powder to smooth semi-sweet and creamy white chocolate chips. For an added layer of flavor and intrigue, we even include savory peanut butter chips. The beauty of these cookies lies in their dynamic profile: the sweetness of the chocolates and M&Ms, the salty crunch of pretzels, and the rich depth of peanut butter all come together in perfect harmony. Every bite is a delightful fusion, creating an experience that’s truly awesome and keeps you reaching for more.
Key Ingredients for the Ultimate Everything Cookie Recipe
Crafting the perfect batch of Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that sought-after balance of sweet, salty, and texturally rich indulgence. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:
- Unsalted Butter: You will need ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Butter is fundamental for creating a rich, tender, and moist cookie. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content precisely, balancing the various savory elements in the cookie.
- Sugars: The blend of sugars is key for both sweetness and texture. ¾ cup of brown sugar contributes to a wonderfully chewy interior and a hint of molasses flavor, while ¼ cup of granulated white sugar helps create those slightly crisp edges and ensures proper browning.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: A modest 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder are added to infuse the cookies with a deep, sophisticated chocolate base, enhancing the overall chocolate experience without making them overly sweet.
- Large Egg: One large egg acts as a vital binder, bringing all the ingredients together and providing structure and moisture to the cookie dough, resulting in a cohesive and well-formed cookie.
- Vanilla Extract: Adding 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract is essential. Vanilla doesn’t just add its own sweet aroma; it dramatically enhances and rounds out all the other flavors in the cookie dough, making them more vibrant and complex.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of these cookies is 2 cups of all-purpose flour. It provides the necessary bulk and gluten development to hold all the fantastic mix-ins together, creating a tender yet sturdy cookie.
- Salt: Just ½ teaspoon of salt is critical for balancing the sweetness and naturally enhancing the intricate flavors of all the different chocolates and candies. It truly makes the sweet elements pop.
- Baking Powder: To achieve the perfect lift and a soft, slightly chewy texture, ½ teaspoon of baking powder is used as a leavening agent. It helps the cookies rise beautifully in the oven without spreading too much.
- Chocolate Chips (Semi-Sweet & White): For an abundance of chocolate in every bite, you’ll need 1 ¼ cups each of semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips. This combination offers a delightful contrast in sweetness and richness, ensuring a truly decadent experience.
- Peanut Butter Chips: Introduce a delightful savory and nutty counterpoint with 1 ¼ cups of peanut butter chips. Their creamy, rich flavor pairs exceptionally well with the various chocolates and salty pretzels.
- Mini M&Ms: To add a burst of color, extra sweetness, and a subtle candy crunch, incorporate 1 ¼ cups of mini M&Ms. They melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of melty chocolate and candy shell.
- Pretzel Twists: A generous handful of crushed pretzel twists is the secret weapon for that irresistible sweet and salty combination. They provide a much-needed contrasting crunchy texture and a salty kick that perfectly complements the chewy, sweet cookies.
How to Bake Your Perfect Batch of Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies
Creating these delightful cookies is a straightforward process, but a few key steps ensure they turn out perfectly golden, chewy, and loaded with flavor. Follow these instructions carefully for a batch of the best Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies you’ve ever tasted!
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with both the brown sugar and granulated white sugar. Cream them together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ final texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and unsweetened cocoa powder into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix until everything is well combined and the batter is smooth and uniformly colored.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough is *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. At this stage, the dough will likely appear quite crumbly, which is perfectly normal.
- Incorporate Initial Mix-Ins: Now for the fun part! Add ¼ cup each of the semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and mini M&Ms to the dough. Stir them in gently by hand with a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout the crumbly dough.
- Form Cookie Portions: Divide the cookie dough into 6 equal-sized portions. These will be large, generous cookies! Roll each portion into a ball. If you prefer smaller cookies, you can divide the dough into 18 portions, adjusting baking time accordingly.
- Press in Remaining Mix-Ins: Take the remaining chocolate chips, M&Ms, and a few broken pretzel twists. Press these firmly onto the tops and sides of each cookie ball. This ensures every cookie is visibly loaded with goodies and gets that beautiful “kitchen sink” look.
- Chill the Dough: Place the formed cookie balls in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is a crucial step as it prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, allowing them to maintain their thick, chewy texture.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the chilled cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving ample space between them. Bake for approximately 18 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.
- Serve & Enjoy!: Once cooled, these magnificent Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies are ready to be devoured. Pair them with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate treat!
Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies
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Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/4 cups semisweet chips
- 1 1/4 cups peanut butter chips
- 1 ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 ¼ cup mini M&Ms
- Handful of pretzel twists
Instructions
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In a large bowl cream together the butter and both sugars until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and cocoa powder.
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Add in the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until just combined. The dough will be very crumbly.
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Add 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup peanut butter chips, ¼ cup of the white chocolate chips and ¼ cup M&Ms and stir into the dough.
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Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Form each portion into a ball.
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Next press the remaining chips, M&Ms and a few pretzel twists all over the top and sides of the cookies.
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Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
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Bake the cookies for 18 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and then transfer to a rack. Serve & enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Understanding the “Kitchen Sink” Name: More Than Just a Cookie
The intriguing name of these cookies comes directly from the popular idiom, “everything but the kitchen sink.” This phrase is used to describe a situation where a vast and often random assortment of items is included. In the context of these delightful cookies, it perfectly encapsulates the generous and varied mix of ingredients that come together to create a truly unique flavor and texture profile. From the various types of chocolate chips to the mini M&Ms and the essential salty pretzel pieces, these cookies truly contain “everything.” While our recipe focuses on a delicious chocolate-centric combination, other variations of kitchen sink cookies can expand to include a multitude of other mix-ins like dried fruits, toffee bits, shredded coconut, rolled oats, or even savory elements like potato chips for an even bolder sweet-and-salty punch. The beauty of the “kitchen sink” concept is its versatility and the invitation to customize and experiment with your favorite add-ins.
Can I Substitute Butter with Margarine in My Cookie Recipe?
While it might be tempting to substitute butter with margarine in your cookie recipe, it’s generally not recommended for the best results. Margarine, being a water-in-fat emulsion, often contains a higher water content and different fat compositions than butter. This typically causes cookies to spread more extensively and become flatter as they bake, leading to a thinner, crispier texture rather than the desired chewy, soft center of these particular cookies. If you must use margarine, there are a few things you can do to help mitigate these effects. Ensure the margarine is very cold and firm when you incorporate it into the dough. Furthermore, extending the chilling time for the cookie dough in the refrigerator to at least an hour, or even longer, can help the margarine solidify and prevent excessive spreading in the oven, allowing the cookies to hold their shape better. However, for the ultimate chewy texture and rich flavor, butter remains the superior choice.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies Every Time
Achieving cookie perfection with these loaded treats is easy with a few simple tips:
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Use good quality chocolate chips, fresh M&Ms, and crunchy pretzels. The better your ingredients, the better your cookies will taste.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough is paramount! It helps the flavors meld, prevents excessive spreading, and results in a thicker, chewier cookie.
- Measure Accurately: Especially with flour, measure precisely. Too much flour can lead to dry, crumbly cookies, while too little can make them spread too much.
- Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cookies tough.
- Evenly Sized Cookies: For consistent baking, ensure all your cookie balls are roughly the same size. A cookie scoop can be very helpful here.
Storage and Freshness
Proper storage will help keep your Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies fresh and delicious for longer:
- Room Temperature: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Freezing Dough: You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Simply place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, place frozen dough on a baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Once completely cooled, wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about making these indulgent Chocolate Kitchen Sink Cookies:
- Q: Can I customize the mix-ins? A: Absolutely! The “kitchen sink” concept is all about customization. Feel free to swap out M&Ms for other candies, add toffee bits, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or even other types of chips like butterscotch. Just try to maintain the total volume of mix-ins.
- Q: My cookies spread too much, what went wrong? A: This is often due to butter that was too soft, insufficient chilling time, or too little flour/too much leavening. Ensure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch, and don’t skip the chilling step!
- Q: Can I make smaller cookies? A: Yes! This recipe yields 6 giant cookies. To make standard-sized cookies, divide the dough into 18 portions. The baking time will decrease to about 9-11 minutes. Keep an eye on them!
- Q: What if I don’t have all the chocolate chip varieties? A: No problem! You can adjust the types of chocolate chips based on what you have on hand. For example, use all semi-sweet and white chocolate, or substitute with milk chocolate chips. The total quantity is what’s most important for the loaded effect.
Craving More Chocolate? Explore These Cookie Delights!
If you’re a devoted chocolate lover, we have an array of other delectable cookie recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings. Dive into these chocolate-packed creations:
- REESE’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE ORANGE NO BAKE COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE CHIP PUFF PASTRY COOKIES
- CARAMEL STUFFED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- TRIPLE CHOCOLATE M&M COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE CARAMEL LINZER COOKIES
- BAKERY STYLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- BIG CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE TURTLE COOKIES
- REESE’S CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Speaking of things we’ll never forget, this past summer gifted us with a couple of truly memorable family trips! Taking a family of 7 on a snorkel adventure is no small feat, let me tell you. It’s challenging enough to keep track of your own flippers, noodle floats, goggles, and snorkel gear, let alone multiplying that by seven! It was pure joyful chaos. Yet, despite the logistical gymnastics, it was incredibly fun and absolutely worth every moment.
You can’t quite make out his face, but this is my middle son. He did fantastic, bravely exploring the underwater world! My youngest two, however, clung to me for dear life, which made floating and spotting fish exceptionally challenging. Ha! These are the precious memories we’ll cherish for years to come.
Just like those unforgettable family moments, these salty-sweet, chocolate-packed cookies are a treat everyone can enjoy and will surely remember. You are going to absolutely adore these “everything but the kitchen sink cookies” and the delightful medley of goodies meticulously packed into every single bite. They’re a celebration of flavor and texture!
These Everything But the Kitchen Sink Cookies are the perfect solution for those moments when you simply can’t decide what kind of cookie to bake. This truly delicious and generously loaded chocolate cookie recipe masterfully combines sweet and salty elements, ensuring a spectacular burst of flavor in every single bite!