If you love cookies that surprise you with every bite, this Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. Packed with all sorts of delightful mix-ins—from semi-sweet chocolate chunks to pretzels and potato chips—these cookies are a wild but harmonious medley of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy textures. The secret to their irresistible flavor is browning the butter just right, which adds a nutty depth that makes these treats feel both indulgent and homemade in the best way possible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Although this recipe calls for a variety of ingredients, each one plays an essential role in creating the complex flavor and satisfying texture that makes the Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe so special. From the brown butter that adds richness to the mix-ins that add delightful surprises, every ingredient is a star.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter: Browning it brings a nutty aroma that deepens the cookie flavor.
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and caramel undertones for a chewy texture.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature: Gives the dough richness and helps it bind together.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, sweet fragrance.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The base that holds all the ingredients together.
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise with a light, soft texture.
- 1 teaspoon sea salt + more for sprinkling: Balances the sweetness and accentuates flavors.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped: Melts slightly for gooey, irresistible pockets of chocolate.
- 1/2 cup raisins: Adds a chewy, fruity surprise that contrasts with the saltiness.
- 1/2 cup potato chips, lightly crushed: Gives the cookies a sudden, delightful crunch and salty pop.
- 1/2 cup pretzels, roughly chopped: Adds a savory crunch that complements both the chips and chocolate.
How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Start by melting the unsalted butter over medium heat, stirring constantly. You’ll want to carefully brown it until it foams and takes on a golden color with a nutty aroma. Don’t overdo it—catching it at just the right moment is crucial because this step builds the deep, caramel-like flavor base for these cookies. Then, remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine your cooled brown butter with brown and granulated sugars. Beat these together until everything feels well mixed and creamy. Next, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth and fragrant. This combo forms the luscious, moist foundation of your cookie dough.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and a teaspoon of sea salt. This blend ensures even distribution of rising agents and seasoning, which keeps every bite consistently delicious.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually fold half of the dry ingredients into the wet mixture to start combining, then add the remaining flour bit by bit. Keep an eye on your dough’s texture and stop adding flour when it feels just moist enough—not dry. Now comes the fun part: fold in your chocolate chunks, raisins, crushed potato chips, and chopped pretzels. This mix-in madness is what earns these cookies their playful name and irresistible crunch.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Use a 1-ounce scoop to portion out dough balls and arrange them on a tray. Pop them into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or, ideally, overnight. Chilling is key for flavor melding and to prevent cookie spread during baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Space your chilled dough balls about 2 inches apart, then bake for 11 minutes. You want the edges to turn golden while the centers remain soft and gooey—a perfect harmony of textures awaits! Once out of the oven, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top and let the cookies cool fully before digging in.
How to Serve Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking enhances every flavor note and adds a professional touch. For extra flair, you could drizzle melted chocolate or add a dusting of powdered sugar, but honestly, these cookies are perfection on their own.
Side Dishes
Whether you’re serving these cookies at a casual gathering or just indulging at home, pairing them with a glass of cold milk or a cup of strong coffee works beautifully. The richness of the cookies balances the drinks perfectly, creating a comforting, crave-worthy combo.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Present your Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe in a rustic wooden tray lined with parchment paper or stack them in a mason jar tied with twine for a charming gift. You can also sandwich some vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a fun twist that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This helps them maintain their chewy centers and crisp edges, so every bite stays just as delightful as when freshly baked.
Freezing
If you need to prepare ahead, freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months, and when you’re ready, just bake them straight from frozen—adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
To revive your cookies’ freshly-baked warmth, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave each cookie for 10-15 seconds. This will soften the centers and refresh those melty chocolate bits beautifully.
FAQs
Can I swap out the mix-ins for other ingredients?
Absolutely! The beauty of this Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is its flexibility. Feel free to use nuts, dried cranberries, different chips, or even candy pieces to make it your own signature cookie.
Why is browning the butter important?
Browning butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that elevates these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary. It also adds a subtle caramel note and richer aroma that you simply can’t get from regular melted butter.
How long can I keep the cookie dough in the fridge?
You can refrigerate the dough for up to 48 hours. This resting time lets the flavors meld and can actually improve the overall taste and texture of your cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. Just make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to achieve the right texture.
What does the salt do when sprinkled on top after baking?
The finishing salt enhances the sweet and savory flavors by providing little bursts of saltiness, which creates an irresistible contrast that makes each bite more complex and satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe, it’s bound to become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. These cookies are the perfect expression of fun and flavor combined, great for sharing or savoring all by yourself. So grab that brown butter, gather your favorite mix-ins, and get ready to bake some truly unforgettable cookies!
Print
Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Kitchen Sink Cookies are a delightful combination of chewy, sweet, salty, and crunchy flavors all packed into one cookie. Featuring browned butter, semi-sweet chocolate, raisins, potato chips, and pretzels, these cookies bring together an irresistible medley of textures and tastes perfect for any snack or dessert.
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 14 cookies
Ingredients
Butter Mixture
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt + more for sprinkling
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup potato chips, lightly crushed (Lay’s recommended)
- 1/2 cup pretzels, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and stir constantly until it begins to foam and turns a golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately to prevent drying out the dough and allow the browned butter to cool.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix the cooled browned butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined. Add the egg and egg yolk along with vanilla extract and mix well until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sea salt, and baking soda. Gradually add half of the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix until combined. Slowly incorporate the rest of the flour, adding a little at a time and stopping if the dough becomes too dry.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in the chopped semi-sweet chocolate, raisins, lightly crushed potato chips, and chopped pretzels. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the best texture.
- Chill the Dough: Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop to form dough balls. Place them on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to allow the dough to firm.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chilled cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the sheet. Bake for approximately 11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and centers are puffed but remain gooey.
- Finish and Cool: Immediately after baking, sprinkle the cookies with sea salt. Let them cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack or serving.
Notes
- The browned butter should be taken off the heat as soon as it develops a nutty aroma and golden color to avoid evaporating moisture that keeps the dough moist.
- Use a 1-ounce scoop for uniform cookie sizes to ensure even baking.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the cookies’ shape and texture during baking.
- Sprinkling sea salt on top enhances the sweet and salty flavor balance.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
