Patriotic Kitchen Sink Cookies
As we approach the Fourth of July, there’s no better way to celebrate our country than with a batch of Patriotic Kitchen Sink Cookies. These colorful treats are packed with all of your favorite ingredients and are perfect for sharing with friends and family at any summer gathering.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or heading out for a picnic, these cookies will add a touch of patriotism to your festivities. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to whip up some red, white, and blue deliciousness!
Why Are They Called Kitchen Sink Cookies?
Kitchen Sink Cookies are a type of cookie that incorporates various ingredients that you would typically find in your kitchen, including nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, and oats. But have you ever wondered why they’re called “kitchen sink” cookies?
The term “kitchen sink” refers to the idea of throwing everything but the kitchen sink into something. This expression has been used for over a century and was popularized during World War II when people were encouraged to be resourceful with their food supplies due to rationing. So when it comes to baking these cookies, adding any leftover ingredients from your pantry or fridge is fair game.
Another theory suggests that the name comes from the fact that the dough is so thick and chunky, it’s almost like trying to fit an entire kitchen sink into a batch of cookie dough.
Regardless of where the name came from, one thing is certain: these cookies are deliciously unique and perfect for satisfying any sweet craving. They’re also incredibly versatile as you can add whatever mix-ins you want based on your personal preferences.
So next time you whip up a batch of kitchen sink cookies, remember their name pays homage to their eclectic mix-in options and creative use of leftovers – making them an ideal dessert for anyone who loves experimenting with flavors.
Equipment I Use
I have compiled a list of some of the items I have used to help me make this recipe. I have also included the Amazon link for these items to make them easier for you to find.
- 2 Medium Mixing Bowls
- 2 Cookie Sheets
- 2 Pre-cut Parchment Paper
- 1 Hand Held Mixer
- 1 Cookie Scoop
- 1 Sifter or Whisk to sift the dry ingredients
- 1 Wire Cooling Rack
Ingredients For Patriotic Kitchen Sink Cookies
Wet Ingredients
- 1 Cup Butter at Room Temperature
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar Packed
- 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 Cups and 2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 2 1/2 Cups Quick Oats
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
Mix Ins
- 1/2 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 Cup Peanut M&Ms or Regular M&Ms When making this recipe for the Fourth Of July I buy the Red, White, and Blue ones.
- 1/2 Cup Heath Bar Chopped or 2 Heath Bars Chopped Up
How To Make Kitchen Sink Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees Fairenheight.
Place parchment paper sheets onto the cookie sheets. This helps the cookies to not stick to the pan and also ensures an easier clean up.
Gather all of the ingredients and measure them out to save time, and making the cooking process go more smoothly.
Mixing The Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl use the hand held mixer to blend together the room temperature butter and the white sugar until completely combined and creamy. I use a spatula to scrape down the sides intermittently to ensure that it is all mixed together. This takes about a minute.
Add the light brown sugar to the butter mixture and use the hand held mixer to completely combine the sugars with the butter. This can take about two minutes to become creamy.
Add the Eggs to the butter mixture one at a time. Making sure to mix in each one completely.
Set the Wet Ingredients aside.
Mixing The Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium mixing bowl use a sifter to mix together the flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. If you do not have a sifter use a whisk to mix together these ingredients for at least a minute to ensure that the baking powder and cinnamon are evenly mixed.
Add the quick oats to the flour mixture and use a whisk to mix the dry ingredients together completely. This usually takes about a minute.
Combining The Wet And Dry Ingredients
Take the wet ingredients and add a third of the dry ingredients to the mixture. Using the hand held mixture mix the ingredients together. This takes about 30 seconds.
Add the next third of the dry ingredients and use the hand held mixer to blend the ingredients for about 30 seconds
.Add the remaining dry ingredients to the bowl and mix ingredients together, this should take less than a minute.
Adding In The Candy Mix Ins
When it comes to Kitchen Sink Cookies the secret is adding whatever cookie or candy mix ins you have on hand.
If you have a favorite nut, or candy this is the time to do it.
I prefer to add chocolate chips, heath bar for that toffee flavor, and colorful M&Ms.
I use a wooden spoon to mix in the candies.
Baking The Cookies
Using a cookie scoop makes the cookies the perfect size and shape every time. I will take the cookie scoop and spoon out the cookie dough onto the parchment lined cookie sheets.
Once the cookie sheet is loaded with dough I place it into the pre-heated oven and back for 9-12 minutes or until they are golden brown.
I like to use a cooling rack to place the cookies on to cool for 5-10 minutes prior to serving.
Mix Ins For Kitchen Sink Cookies
Kitchen sink cookies are a popular dessert that typically includes a variety of mix ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, and dried fruit. However, there are many other creative mix ins you can add to take your kitchen sink cookies to the next level.
- Pretzels – Adding crushed pretzels to your cookie dough gives it a salty crunch that perfectly balances out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Bacon – Yes, bacon! Crispy bacon bits mixed into your cookie dough adds a savory twist that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Cereal – Crushed cereal like cornflakes or rice krispies can provide texture and crunch in addition to adding unique flavors like cinnamon or honey.
- Potato Chips – Salty potato chips may seem like an unusual addition, but they add an unexpected crunch and saltiness that makes for an addictively delicious cookie.
- Marshmallows – Soft and gooey marshmallows melt beautifully into the cookie dough while baking creating pockets of sweet goodness throughout each bite.
- Peanut Butter Cups – Chopped peanut butter cups are an easy way to incorporate another beloved dessert into your kitchen sink cookies!
- Trail Mix – A blend of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and sometimes even chocolate is perfect way to get all sorts of flavors packed into one cookie
- M&M’s – These classic candies bring pops of color and additional sweetness with their hard candy shell
Kitchen sink cookies are versatile because you can really throw in just about anything you want with little difficulty! So have fun experimenting with different mix-ins until you find the mix that is perfect for you.
How To Get Perfectly Round Cookies
Who doesn’t love a perfect, round cookie? They look so tempting and delicious! But achieving that perfect shape can be tricky. Here are some tips on how to get perfectly round cookies every time:
- Use a cookie scoop: A cookie scoop is the easiest way to ensure your cookies are all the same size and shape. It also helps you measure out the correct amount of dough for each cookie.
- Chill your dough: Chilling your dough before baking will help it hold its shape and prevent spreading. Pop your dough in the fridge for at least an hour (or even overnight) before scooping and baking.
- Roll your dough into balls: Using your hands, roll each portion of chilled dough into a ball before placing it on the baking sheet. This ensures that they bake evenly and maintain their circular shape.
- Flatten slightly: Once you’ve placed the balls of dough on the baking sheet, use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to gently flatten them slightly. This will give them a uniform thickness and help them bake more evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd: Make sure there is plenty of space between each cookie on the baking sheet so they don’t touch or merge together while they bake.
- Rotate halfway through baking: To ensure even browning, rotate your baking sheet halfway through cooking time (usually around 6-8 minutes). This will also help any lopsided cookies become more rounded as they spread out in different directions during rotation.
By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to achieve perfectly round cookies every time! And remember, practice makes perfect.
Other Recipes To Try
Patriotic Kitchen Sink Cookies
Equipment
- 2 Medium Mixing Bowls
- 2 Cookie Sheets
- 2 Pre-cut Parchment Paper
- 1 Hand Held Mixer
- 1 Cookie Scoop
- 1 Sifter or Whisk to sift the dry ingredients
- 1 Wire Cooling Rack
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 Cup Butter at Room Temperature
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar Packed
- 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 Cups and 2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 2 1/2 Cups Quick Oats
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
Mix Ins
- 1/2 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 Cup Peanut M&Ms or Regular M&Ms When making this recipe for the Fourth Of July I buy the Red, White, and Blue ones.
- 1/2 Cup Heath Bar Chopped or 2 Heath Bars Chopped Up
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees FairenheightPlace parchment paper sheets onto the cookie sheets. This helps the cookies to not stick to the pan and also ensures an easier clean up.
Mixing The Wet Ingredients
- In a medium bowl use the hand held mixer to blend together the room temperature butter and the white sugar until completely combined and creamy. I use a spatula to scrape down the sides intermittently to ensure that it is all mixed together. This takes about a minute.Add the light brown sugar to the butter mixture and use the hand held mixer to completely combine the sugars with the butter. This can take about two minutes to become creamy.Add the Eggs to the butter mixture one at a time. Making sure to mix in each one completely.Set the Wet Ingredients aside.
Mixing The Dry Ingredients
- In a separate medium mixing bowl use a sifter to mix together the flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder.If you do not have a sifter use a whisk to mix together these ingredients for at least a minute to ensure that the baking powder and cinnamon are evenly mixed.Add the quick oats to the flour mixture and use a whisk to mix the dry ingredients together completely. This usually takes about a minute.
Combining Ingredients
- Take the wet ingredients and add a third of the dry ingredients to the mixture. Using the hand held mixture mix the ingredients together. This takes about 30 seconds.Add the next third of the dry ingredients and use the hand held mixer to blend the ingredients for about 30 seconds.Add the remaining dry ingredients to the bowl and mix ingredients together, this should take less than a minute.
Adding In The Candy Mix Ins
- When it comes to Kitchen Sink Cookies the secret is adding whatever cookie or candy mix ins you have on hand. If you have a favorite nut, or candy this is the time to do it.I prefer to add chocolate chips, heath bar for that toffee flavor, and colorful M&Ms.I use a wooden spoon to mix in the candies.
Baking The Cookies
- Using a cookie scoop makes the cookies the perfect size and shape every time.I will take the cookie scoop and spoon out the cookie dough onto the parchment lined cookie sheets.Once the cookie sheet is loaded with dough I place it into the pre-heated oven and back for 9-12 minutes or until they are golden brown.I like to use a cooling rack to place the cookies on to cool for 5-10 minutes prior to serving.
Leave a comment