Santa’s Trash Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a cookie that truly surprises and delights every time, you have to try my Santa’s Trash Cookies Recipe. Trust me, these cookies are fan-freaking-tastic—a perfect blend of sweet, salty, crunchy, and melty goodness all rolled into one. Whether you’re making them for holiday parties or just because, you’ll find they disappear faster than you can say “Santa’s coming!” Sit tight, because I’m about to share all my tips and tricks so your batch turns out perfectly every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in Santa’s Trash Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating that nostalgic, irresistible cookie flavor. From buttery richness to that sneaky crunch, here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need and why they’re essential.

• Butter: Use real unsalted butter for the best creamy flavor and smooth texture.
• Brown sugar: Brings moistness and slight caramel notes to the cookie.
• Granulated sugar: Adds the classic cookie sweetness and balance.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and give structure.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm aroma.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise for that perfect puff.
• Baking soda: Adds tenderness and helps spread just right.
• Salt: Plays off the sweetness—don’t skip it!
• All-purpose flour: The base that holds it all together.
• M&M’s: Colorful, melty chocolate candy adds fun and sweetness.
• Peanut butter chips: Give a nutty twist that’s subtle but so good.
• Potato chips: Yes, salty potato chips belong in cookies—trust me on this.
• Broken pretzels: Adds that extra crunch and salty flavor.
• Flaked sea salt: The perfect finishing touch to elevate every bite.

Variations

Santa’s Trash Cookies Recipe is delightfully flexible—and that’s what makes it such a hit. I love mixing it up depending on what I have on hand or the season. Don’t hesitate to personalize it to suit your taste buds or dietary needs!

• Nut-free variation: Swap peanut butter chips for white chocolate chips to keep everyone happy.
• Extra chocolatey: Add mini chocolate chips or chunks for an indulgent twist—I’ve done this for family movie nights, and they vanish fast.
• Saltier crunch: Double up on the pretzels and potato chips if you love that punch of saltiness against sweet.
• Seasonal twist: Substitute M&M’s for peppermint candies around Christmas for a festive flair.

How to Make Santa’s Trash Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 365°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. In your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—usually around 3 to 4 minutes. This step is key because properly creamed butter and sugar are the foundation of a tender, airy cookie.

Step 2: Mix in the Eggs and Vanilla

Once your butter-sugar mixture is fluffy, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each. Then pour in the vanilla extract and get everything combined. This part smells absolutely heavenly—like holiday magic in the kitchen.

Step 3: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients

Mix baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour in a separate bowl, then slowly add this mixture to your wet ingredients. Be careful here to not overmix; stop as soon as you notice some flour bits still visible. Overworking the dough can lead to tougher cookies, so trust me—less is more at this stage.

Step 4: Fold in the Mix-ins

Now comes the fun part: gently folding in the M&M’s, peanut butter chips, broken pretzels, and potato chips. I like to save a handful of M&M’s and chips to press into the tops of the cookie dough balls before baking—that way, they look as good as they taste!

Step 5: Shape and Sprinkle

Using a ¼-cup cookie or ice cream scoop, make large balls of dough and place 6 to 8 per baking sheet. Press a few extra M&M’s and other mix-ins onto the tops, then sprinkle with flaked sea salt. The sea salt on top really amps up the flavor, giving the perfect sweet-salty contrast.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 11 to 14 minutes. You’re aiming for cookies with a golden-brown edge and a slightly glossy center. If your cookies spread unevenly, I like to use a thin spatula around the edges after they come out of the oven to round them up—this little trick helps them look more polished and evenly shaped.

How to Serve Santa’s Trash Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before baking. Sometimes, I’ll dust with a little powdered sugar for a festive snow-like effect when sharing at holiday parties—it’s a lovely touch that catches the eye and adds a hint of extra sweetness.

Side Dishes

These cookies are rich and loaded with flavor, so I like to pair them with something light like a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot coffee or tea. For holiday gatherings, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side turns them into a decadent dessert your family swears by.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped them up in cute holiday tins or stacked them tied with a festive ribbon to give as gifts. For cookie exchanges, arranging them on a platter with colorful napkins and a holiday sprig makes for a charming presentation that impresses every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Santa’s Trash Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—if they last that long! They stay soft on the inside with a nice crunch outside for up to 4 days. Pro tip: adding a slice of bread to the container helps keep them moist and tasty.

Freezing

These cookies freeze wonderfully. I usually bake them, cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container. When thawed, they taste almost as fresh as the day I made them—super convenient for holiday prep!

Reheating

To warm up day-old Santa’s Trash Cookies, I pop them into a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or so; this revives their softness and makes the chocolate melty. You can also microwave briefly, but the oven gives a nicer texture if you have the time.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Santa’s Trash Cookies Recipe brings together unexpected flavors in a way that’s addictive and heartwarming. When I first tried it, I was skeptical about chips in cookies, but now my family goes crazy for them every holiday season—and honestly, any time of year. Give it a shot, and I promise, you’ll be handing out new family favorites in no time. Happy baking, friend!

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