Dad’s Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

If you love cookies that pack a surprising punch of flavors and textures in every bite, I promise you’ll adore this Dad’s Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how this cookie is like a party in your mouth — it’s loaded with a bit of everything, hence the name “kitchen sink.” When I first tried this recipe, I was hooked by those chewy, buttery bites filled with bursts of chocolate, tart cranberries, and chewy apricots. Trust me, grab your mixing bowl and get ready to make one of the most fun and rewarding cookies you’ll bake!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These pantry staples and fun add-ins come together beautifully in this Dad’s Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe. I always recommend using good quality butter and fresh oats — it really makes a difference.

• Unsalted Butter: Helps you control salt levels perfectly; make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight crunch to the texture.
• Brown Sugar: Brings that deep, caramel-like moisture that keeps cookies chewy.
• Eggs: The binder that makes everything stick together — always room temperature for best mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Elevates all the flavors and adds warmth.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie, balancing the moisture and structure.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: Pulverized oats add chewiness without being gritty—just a quick spin in the blender.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: The duo that ensures these cookies rise just right — light and chewy.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances richness.
• M&M’s: Bright, colorful chocolate candies that add fun pops of sweetness.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: For pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite.
• Dried Cranberries: Tart and chewy, they contrast beautifully with the sweet chocolate.
• Chopped Dried Apricots: Adds a juicy chew and a subtle fruity sweetness.

Variations

I love that this Dad’s Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is so adaptable. You can really make it your own based on what your family likes or what you have hiding out in your pantry. Here are some of my favorite tweaks:

• Nutty Twist: I once added chopped pecans and walnuts, and it gave such a great crunch that my family begged for more.
• Seasonal Fruit Swap: Dried cherries or raisins work beautifully if you don’t have apricots and cranberries on hand.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use certified gluten-free oats for an allergy-friendly treat.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Double up on the chocolate chips and skip the dried fruit for a straight-up choco-fest.

How to Make Dad’s Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready and Prep the Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step means your cookies won’t stick and helps them bake evenly. I learned that skipping parchment leads to a mess — trust me on this one!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Using a stand mixer, cream the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars for around 2 to 3 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks light and fluffy — this traps air that helps the cookie rise. Adding the eggs one at a time and scraping down the bowl in between ensures everything blends smoothly.

Step 3: Mix Your Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate large bowl, sift together the flour, pulverized oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pulverizing the oats gives you that chewy texture without chunks that break apart. Mixing dry ingredients together before adding will make your cookie dough uniform and easier to combine.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients Gently

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two parts, mixing on low speed to keep the dough tender and prevent overworking the gluten. At the end, fold in the M&M’s, chocolate chips, cranberries, and apricots by hand — this is where that kitchen sink magic really happens, and you want all the mix-ins evenly distributed.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Use a medium cookie scoop to place 12 even balls of dough onto the baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes — personally, I like 10 ½ minutes for that perfect chewy edge and soft middle. Keep an eye on them; under-baking slightly yields that glorious chewy texture everyone raves about.

Step 6: Cool Before Enjoying

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This helps them firm up so they won’t fall apart. If you have extra dough, freeze it for when you need a quick sweet fix!

How to Serve Dad’s Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple here — a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top just before baking highlights all that sweetness perfectly. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar looks fun for special occasions.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic on their own but pairing them with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee really brings the experience home. For a brunch or party, I love serving them alongside fresh fruit or a yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holiday gatherings, stacking them with colorful ribbons or arranging them in a cookie jar with festive tags is a hit. I’ve also wrapped individual cookies in cellophane bags tied with twine for easy gifting—instant crowd pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and chewy — just avoid stacking them when completely warm to prevent sticking.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works wonders. I like to freeze them individually on a sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag. That way, you can take out exactly how many you want without thawing the whole batch.

Reheating

Warm leftover cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This revives their chewy, melty goodness like they’re freshly baked.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This recipe feels like a warm hug from the kitchen — loaded, comforting, and full of surprises. Dad’s Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe became my go-to treat whenever I wanted to impress friends or just indulge myself with something truly delightful. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own family favorite, whether you stick to the original or throw in your own mix-ins. Trust me, once you taste these, you’ll be hooked and happily baking them again and again!

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