The Ultimate Kitchen Sink Cookie Recipe: A Delicious Sweet and Salty Treat

Welcome to my West Virginia kitchen!  One of my favorite things to treat myself with (outside of the occasional Starbies) is the Kitchen Sink Cookie from a well known sandwich shop chain.  HOWEVER, the last time I went to said chain that cookie was WELL OVER $5.00!!!!  WHAT!?!  We can't have that, so welcome to The ultimate guide for making Kitchen Sink Cookies! 

These delightful cookies are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, crunchy and chewy, and the best part?  You can throw in just about anything you have in your pantry, hence the name "kitchen sink."  Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is designed to be easy, flexible, and irresistibly delicious.  

I can't wait to share this one with you so...

LET'S GET STARTED!

INGREDIENTS:

Base Ingredients:

• 1 cup Shortening
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 c Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup White Sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2.5 cups All Purpose Flour
• 2.5 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Mix-Ins (Choose Your Favorites)

• 1 cup Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup Pretzels, broken into pieces
• 2 oz Pack of Caramels, chopped
• 1/2 cup Toffee Bits
• 1/2 cup Shredded Coconut
• 1/2 cup Nuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup Dried Fruit
• 1/2 cup Oats
• 1/2 cup M&Ms
• Chunky Salt

**You DO NOT use all of these mix-ins (unless you want to).  For this particular recipe I used the chocolate chips, pretzels, caramel bits, and chunky salt.**

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1:  Preheat and Prep

• Preheat your oven to 350F/175C.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking. 

Step 2:  Cream Shortening and Sugars

• In a large mixing bowl, beat together the shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.  This should take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.

Step 3:  Add Eggs and Vanilla

• Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.  Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Step 4:  Combine the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.  Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.  Do not over mix. 

Step 5:  Mix in the Goodies

• Fold in your chosen mix-ins.  This is where you can get creative!  Aim for about 2-3 cups of mix-ins total, but feel free to adjust based on your preferences.

Step 6:  Scoop and Bake

• Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.  Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.  Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft.

Step 7:  Cool and Enjoy

• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.  Enjoy your delicious Ultimate Kitchen Sink Cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage!

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT KITCHEN SINK COOKIES:

1. Room Temperature Ingredients:  Make sure your shortening and eggs are at room temerature to ensure even mixing.  
2. Chill the Dough:  If your dough feels too soft, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to prevent the cookies from spreading too much. 
3. Balance Your Mix-Ins:  Aim for a good mix of textures and flavors.  Combine something crunchy (like pretzels) with something chewy (like caramel) and something sweet (like chocolate chips).
4. Storage:  Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.  They can also be frozen for up to three months.

These Ultimate Kitchen Sink Cookies are not only a treat for your taste buds but also a great way to use up Pantry ingredients.  With their perfect balance of flavors and textures, they are sure to become a favorite in your household.  

And as always...

Happy Eatin' Y'all!

~The Kitchen Wife~