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I whipped these cookies up last holiday season when my little ones were digging through our snack stash. We had tons of leftover chips and pretzels from parties, and my daughter thought we should toss them into cookie batter. What began as a clean-up task turned into our family's most loved holiday custom! They're these incredible soft treats packed with everything you can imagine – crunchy pretzels, crispy potato chips, colorful M&Ms, and loads of white chocolate. My boy calls them junk cookies but believe me, they're absolute gold!
What Makes These Treats So Wonderful
You get something new with each mouthful. You might taste that salty bit from a pretzel, then the sweet pop of an M&M. The potato chips might sound odd but they turn these cookies into something you can't stop eating. The kids next door wait in our kitchen when they catch a whiff of these baking, and even my picky mother-in-law who says she hates 'strange' cookies wanted to know how to make them. And the best part? You just need a bowl and spoon to make them!
What You'll Need
- Butter: One cup melted then cooled so you won't cook your eggs!
- Brown Sugar: Press it down firmly for extra chewiness
- Regular Sugar: Only half a cup needed
- Eggs: Two large ones not cold from the fridge
- Vanilla: Go for genuine extract it truly stands out
- Flour: Standard all-purpose around 2¼ cups
- Baking Soda and Powder: These give the right rise
- Salt: A tiny bit only
- The Mix-ins: Seasonal M&Ms white chocolate bits broken pretzels potato chips and fun sprinkles
Creating Your Sweet Masterpieces
- First Steps
- Start by melting your butter and setting it aside while watching something festive. Mix your flour with other dry stuff in a separate bowl.
- Sugar Time
- In another container stir your cooled butter with both kinds of sugar until it looks damp and grainy. Drop in those eggs and vanilla and mix everything well.
- Combining Everything
- Gradually stir in your dry mix. Now for the best part! Throw in all those goodies – M&Ms chips pretzels everything. My kids always want to help with this part though many M&Ms seem to vanish.
- Cooling Period
- Form your cookie balls and stick them in the fridge. Waiting isn't fun but it really matters!
- Into The Oven
- After chilling cook them until they're barely brown at the edges. The center should still look a little soft.
- Finishing Touches
- Try my trick – push some extra M&Ms and chips onto the top while they're still hot makes them look like you bought them at a fancy shop!
Create Your Own Version
What's great about these treats is you can add whatever snacks you've got. I've used butterscotch chips instead of white chocolate before. One time I smashed some leftover candy from Halloween and added that. My friend makes hers with dark chocolate pieces and coconut and says they taste like an expensive candy bar. Just keep the basic cookie mix the same and get creative with what you put in!
The Cookie Size Game
For party trays I make tiny ones using a teaspoon not the big scoop. Adding sea salt on top really brings it all together my husband thinks it makes the sweet-salty combo even better. During holiday season I pour melted white chocolate over them with extra sprinkles and they look so festive!
Tips For Cookie Success
After making these countless times here's what I've figured out. Don't squash the flour when you measure or you'll end up with tough cookies. You really must chill the dough unless you want one giant cookie mess! I always put parchment paper on my cookie sheets which stops sticking and makes cleaning up super easy.
Getting That Golden Bake
Keep an eye on them in the oven as they can burn quickly. You want the edges just starting to turn gold but the middle will still look soft that's exactly right! Let them sit on the hot pan for a bit they'll finish cooking and firm up nicely.
Making Them Look Amazing
Want my trick for store-quality cookies? Right when they come out of the oven push some extra M&Ms and chips into the top. They'll melt right into the warm dough and look fantastic. Also if your cookies aren't perfectly round grab a big cookie cutter and gently circle it around them while they're still warm.
Storing Your Sweet Creations
These treats stay soft for days in a sealed container if they survive that long! I often make extra dough balls to freeze perfect when friends drop by unexpectedly. Just bake them straight from frozen and add a couple minutes to your timer. Nothing makes people feel more welcome than the smell of freshly baked cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why should the dough chill?
Chilled dough keeps cookies from spreading too much. It helps them bake up thick and chewy.
- → How to make cookies round?
Use a cookie cutter to gently shape hot cookies. Do it quickly before they cool down too much.
- → Tips for measuring flour?
Scoop lightly with a spoon, then scrape off excess. Don't pack it or cookies might turn dense.
- → Why do toppings fall off?
Gently press toppings onto hot cookies right out of the oven. They'll cool and stick better.
- → What other mix-ins work?
Anything goes! Try nuts, dried fruit, or favorite candies. Just don't overload the dough.
Conclusion
Candies and salty snacks come together in these festive treats, offering a crunchy, sweet, and salty surprise in every bite.