Christmas Cookie Sinkers with M&Ms and Chips Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for that ultimate holiday treat that’ll bring everyone running to your kitchen, then you’ve got to try this Christmas Cookie Sinkers with M&Ms and Chips Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies combine sweet, salty, and crunchy in every bite, making them one of my family’s absolute favorites during the festive season. With colorful M&Ms, chocolate chips, and unexpected twists like pretzels and potato chips, these cookies are pure magic. Keep reading because I’m spilling all my tips to help you nail these perfect Christmas cookie sinkers!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Christmas Cookie Sinkers with M&Ms and Chips Recipe is chosen to balance textures and flavors just right. From silky butter to crunchy pretzels, here’s what you’ll want on hand when you start baking.

• Salted butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that keeps these cookies chewy.
• Granulated white sugar: Balances the brown sugar for crisp edges.
• Egg yolks: Use room temperature yolks for richer, tender cookies.
• Vanilla bean paste or extract: Gives that classic warm vanilla flavor that ties everything together.
• All-purpose flour: Spoon and level your flour for accurate measuring to avoid dry cookies.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Combine these for the perfect rise and texture.
• Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the sweet and salty mix-ins.
• Red and green M&M’s: The festive colors add a fun holiday vibe and melty chocolate pockets.
• White chocolate chips: For creamy sweetness that complements the other mix-ins.
• Pretzel pieces: Adds crunch and saltiness—one of my favorite parts!
• Potato chip pieces: This might sound quirky, but trust me—it gives that extra salty crunch you didn’t know you needed.
• Red and green jimmies (sprinkles): Totally optional but great for adding a colorful finishing touch.

Variations

I love to mix things up depending on what I have on hand or what flavor kicks I want to emphasize. Don’t be afraid to tweak the mix-ins—it’s your cookie after all, and personalization makes the recipe even more fun!

• Swap M&Ms for peanut butter candies: I once replaced M&Ms with peanut butter chips for a nutty twist, and my family went crazy for it.
• Nut-free option: Omit any nuts and double up on pretzels or chocolate chips to keep that satisfying crunch.
• Gluten-free adaptation: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend; I’ve done this and the texture is wonderfully soft.
• Add dried cranberries or cherries: For a tart burst that balances all the sweetness nicely.

How to Make Christmas Cookie Sinkers with M&Ms and Chips Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Sheets

First things first — preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step keeps your cookies from sticking and helps them brown evenly, which I’ve learned is essential for perfect cookie bottoms.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened salted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer and beat for about two minutes until the mixture lightens in color and turns fluffy. This creaming step traps air in the dough, which makes your Christmas Cookie Sinkers rise just right!

Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla

Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste on medium speed for two minutes. The batter will become pale and creamy — this is a great sign that your cookies will have that rich, tender crumb everyone loves.

Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Now, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually add them into your wet mixture. Mix just until combined — overmixing here can lead to tough cookies, which is the last thing you want.

Step 5: Fold in M&Ms, Chips, Pretzels, and Chips

Gently fold in the red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, potato chip pieces, and sprinkles with a spatula. This keeps the mix-ins evenly distributed without breaking them up too much — trust me, you want those chunks throughout!

Step 6: Scoop and Optional Toppings

Scoop out the dough into twenty balls, spacing them two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle a few extra M&Ms or pretzel pieces on top of each dough ball—it makes the cookies look adorable and gives a hint of what’s inside.

Step 7: Bake and Shape for Perfection

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes—10 if you want soft, chewy centers, 12 for crisper edges. Here’s the trick I discovered: right when the cookies come out of the oven, gently swirl a large circular cookie cutter around the edges of each cookie to nudge everything into a perfect circle. This makes them look professionally done every time!

Step 8: Cool Before Storing

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack for another 10 minutes. This prevents them from breaking apart and helps them set beautifully.

How to Serve Christmas Cookie Sinkers with M&Ms and Chips Recipe

Garnishes

I like to dust these cookies lightly with powdered sugar or add a little edible gold glitter spray for holiday parties—it adds a touch of sparkle and festiveness. Fresh cranberries on the side give a nice pop of color, too.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate or a peppermint-spiced latte. For parties, I often serve them with a cheese board that includes salty crackers and nuts to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve arranged these cookies in a Christmas tree shape on a large platter before—using green sprinkles as the “tree” and red M&Ms like ornaments. Another time, I wrapped them in cellophane with festive ribbons to give as edible gifts that got rave reviews!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. I learned that layering them between sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and keeps the crunchy bits intact.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray, then popped them into freezer bags. When I’m ready to bake, I simply let them thaw a bit and bake as usual. The results? Fresh-baked cookies anytime without the whole prep!

Reheating

To refresh stored cookies, I pop a couple into a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This helps revive their warmth and slight crispness without drying them out—way better than microwaving in my experience.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

All in all, the Christmas Cookie Sinkers with M&Ms and Chips Recipe has become one of those special treats I look forward to every holiday season. From that first chewy bite bursting with sweet and salty goodness, to the way these cookies bring smiles around my kitchen table, I know you’ll enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. Give them a try—you may just find your new holiday baking tradition!

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