Buddy’s Kitchen Sink Cookies

Add some excitement to your holiday baking with these loaded Kitchen Sink Cookies! Featuring chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, potato chips, and festive sprinkles, they’re a deliciously fun twist on a classic. Easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins, these cookies are perfect for sharing, gifting, or indulging at home.

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s both fun to make and packed with surprises, these Kitchen Sink Cookies are calling your name! Each one is loaded with a bit of everything—crunchy pretzels, salty potato chips, gooey chocolate, buttery toffee, and a pop of color from festive sprinkles. They’re the ultimate treat for anyone who loves the thrill of discovering a new flavor or texture in every bite. 

Yes, oday I’ve enlisted the help of one of my favorite Christmas characters, Buddy, to make these wonderfully delicious and perfectly festive Kitchen Sink Cookies. 

Who’s Buddy?

“Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”

If you haven’t seen the now-classic Christmas movie Elf, you might not know who Buddy is. First, go watch the movie; it’s fantastic. Second, Buddy is a Christmas and sugar-loving elf who was raised at the North Pole. There’s a popular scene in the movie where Buddy makes breakfast with, well, everything but the kitchen sink: pasta, maple syrup, marshmallows, chocolate, pop-tarts, and of course sprinkles. 

Why kitchen sink?

Well, because these cookies are packed with everything but the kitchen sink.

Kitchen sink cookies have become somewhat of a well-known cookie recipe. I’m not sure where they came from, but I know that Panera Bread makes one that’s pretty popular and delicious. 

While this isn’t a copycat recipe, these kitchen sink cookies just might be my new favorite type of chocolate chip cookie. Why? Well, because they have everything in them but the kitchen sink! 

I’m happy to add these in my favorite Christmas cookie list! I also recommend pairing them with a cup of hot cocoa for the perfect treat!

Why You’ll Love These

• These cookies are a crowd-pleaser. Everyone loves a classic chocolate chip cookie, but when you add salty pretzels, crunchy chips, and sweet toffee, you get a treat that feels like it’s pulling out all the stops.
• They bring fun and creativity into the kitchen. The beauty of kitchen sink cookies is that you can add or swap ingredients to suit your style. Try adding crushed candies, white chocolate chips, or a handful of your favorite nuts for a personal twist on this decadent mix.
• They balance sweet and salty perfection. Each bite of these cookies has a little bit of everything: melty chocolate, a hit of salt from the pretzels and chips, and a sprinkle of festive color. This playful mix of textures and flavors makes these cookies hard to resist.
• They’re as festive as they are delicious. With a sprinkle of red and green, these cookies feel right at home on any holiday platter. But don’t be surprised if they become an all-year-round request once folks get a taste—they’re that good!

If you’re looking for more of my Christmas cookie recipes, you’re in luck because I have a round-up post of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes.

When I was making these kitchen sink cookies I decided to add some festive sprinkles to my already-loaded cookies and officially dub them Buddy’s Kitchen Sink Cookies. 

Side note: A couple of years ago I made some Christmas cookie bags. (You can grab the tutorial and free printable HERE.) It just so happens that one of the bags was inspired by another popular moment in the movie. 

I thought it was only fitting to break out these bags to snap a few pictures. 

Ingredients

You might be wondering what goes into kitchen sink cookies. 

Well, they start with a traditional chocolate chip cookie base made up of the following: 

• Unsalted Butter – Adds rich flavor and keeps the cookies soft and chewy, creating that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the dough and adds a slight crispness around the edges of each cookie.
• Brown Sugar – Adds a deeper sweetness and a touch of molasses flavor that enhances the chewiness of the cookie.
• Egg – Acts as the binder, giving the cookies structure while helping them stay soft and thick.
• Vanilla Extract – Infuses a warm, sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
• All-Purpose Flour – The foundation of any great cookie, providing just the right balance of softness and stability.
• Baking Soda – Helps the cookies rise and become wonderfully puffy and chewy.
• Kosher Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the complex flavors in these cookies.

After the basic ingredients, you can have fun with additional fillings. In my recipe/version I included:  

• Crushed Potato Chips – Brings a fun, salty crunch that takes these cookies to another level of deliciousness.
• Crushed Pretzels – Adds a crisp, salty element that pairs perfectly with the sweet ingredients.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Offers a deep chocolate flavor that melts beautifully into every bite.
• Milk Chocolate Chips – Adds a touch of creamy sweetness for those classic chocolate chip vibes.
• Toffee Bits – Provides a rich, buttery crunch that adds another layer of flavor to these cookies.
• Red and Green Sprinkles – Adds a festive touch that makes these cookies perfect for the holiday season.
• Flaky Sea Salt – A finishing touch that enhances every flavor in these cookies, giving them that gourmet feel.

Recipe Variations

Now, if that wasn’t enough, you can substitute or add whatever you’d like. Here are a few ideas:

• chopped nuts (of any kind)
• dried fruit (of any kind)
• white chocolate chips
• caramel bits
• crushed candy canes
• M&Ms

Pretty epic, right? I know. SO GOOD! Let’s make some! 

How to Make 

I’m going to walk you through the steps to make these Kitchen Sink Cookies below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. 
3. Cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. 
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined. 
5. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until combined. 
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined.

7. Gently stir in semisweet and milk chocolate chips, potato chips, pretzels, toffee bits, and sprinkles. 
8. Scoop dough onto baking sheets. 

9. Bake for about 14 minutes or until the edges are starting to get golden. 
10. Remove from the oven and immediately press a few chocolate chips, potato chips, pretzels, toffee bits, and sprinkles on top. 
11. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. 
12. Let cool for two to three minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Once your cookies have cooled, you’re ready to pack and store them in an airtight container. 

Also, I highly recommend you eat one (or two – we don’t judge here) while it’s still warm from the oven. My goodness. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I customize the mix-ins?

One of the best things about Kitchen Sink Cookies is their flexibility! Feel free to swap in your favorite mix-ins, like white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a handful of your favorite candies. If you’re looking for a slightly healthier twist, dried fruit like cranberries or cherries add a great flavor contrast without changing the texture too much.

Why do you add flaky sea salt on top?

The flaky sea salt sprinkled on top is the perfect finishing touch! It highlights the sweet flavors in the cookies and balances out the richness of the chocolate and toffee. Plus, that little hint of salt against the sweet mix-ins adds a gourmet feel. If you’re not a fan of extra salt, you can certainly skip this step, but it does add an incredible depth of flavor.

Can I make these cookies without a stand mixer?

Yes! While a stand mixer makes the process quicker, you can make these cookies with a handheld mixer or even by hand. Just make sure to cream the butter and sugars thoroughly until light and fluffy, which helps create the soft, chewy texture in the finished cookies.

How should I store these cookies, and how long will they stay fresh?

To keep your cookies soft and chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 5-7 days. If you’d like to extend their shelf life, you can freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying!

More Christmas Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

• Whipped Shortbread Cookies
• Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies
• Italian Sprinkle Christmas Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookie Bars
• Cherry Almond Pinwheel Cookies

I don’t like to speak for others, but I think that Buddy would be proud to call these kitchen sink cookies his own. Don’t you? Now don’t be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins, but rather give this recipe a try. These cookies would make the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie platter. 

I’d love to hear if you make these Kitchen Sink Cookies. If you bake them and love the, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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