Santa’s Trash Cookie Recipe

If you’re hunting for a cookie recipe that’s got a little bit of everything—sweet, salty, crunchy, and downright addictive—you’re going to want to stick around for this one. I’m excited to share my take on the Santa’s Trash Cookie Recipe, a festive treat that feels like a holiday party in your mouth. When I first baked these, I couldn’t believe how the mix of peanut butter chips, pretzels, and M&M’s came together in such a magical way. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to cookie for every holiday season (and beyond!).

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a special role in creating the perfect texture and flavor. I always recommend using quality butter and fresh baking soda to ensure your cookies rise just right. Plus, I’m sharing tips for each essential ingredient to help you shop smart and bake with confidence.

• Butter: I prefer unsalted so I can control the salt level, and room temperature butter helps create that lovely fluffy dough.
• Brown Sugar: Gives the cookies a rich, caramel flavor with added moisture that keeps them chewy.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps with cookie spread.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture for a tender bite.
• Vanilla Extract: This little flavor booster makes all the difference in the final taste.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents help your cookies rise and get that perfect texture.
• Salt: I use regular salt in the dough plus flaked sea salt on top to deepen flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone that gives structure to your cookies.
• M&M’s: Colorful and melty chocolate bursts that feel festive and fun.
• Peanut Butter Chips: Add creamy, nutty pockets that I absolutely adore.
• Potato Chips: The secret crunch and salty surprise that took me by surprise the first time I tried this cookie.
• Pretzels: More crunch and a salty contrast that pairs so well with the sweetness.
• Flaked Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to enhance and balance the sweet flavors.

Variations

The beauty of Santa’s Trash Cookie Recipe lies in its flexibility. I love swapping out mix-ins depending on what’s in my pantry or to suit different tastes. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—you’ll find it’s a forgiving recipe that’s perfect for experimenting.

• Nut-Free Variation: I swapped peanut butter chips for white chocolate chips once, and it turned out just as delightful, perfect for a nut-free crowd.
• Extra Crunchy: Adding chopped toasted nuts or even cornflakes makes the texture even more exciting — my family can’t get enough!
• Seasonal Twist: During fall, I like to toss in some mini candy corn or cinnamon chips for a festive spin.
• Healthier Swap: Using whole wheat flour or swapping M&M’s for dried cranberries creates a slightly better-for-you option without losing much flavor.

How to Make Santa’s Trash Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 365°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into your mixer. I like to beat them on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key because creaming the butter really builds that tender, chewy texture you want in your cookies.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, mix in your eggs one at a time with the vanilla extract. This ensures the dough stays smooth and well combined. If you add the eggs too quickly, you might get a curdled batter—so take it slow!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Carefully

In a separate bowl, whisk baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. Slowly add this dry mix to your wet ingredients while your mixer is on low. Here’s what I learned: don’t overmix. Stop as soon as you still see a few flour streaks—that keeps the cookies tender instead of tough.

Step 4: Fold in Your Mix-Ins

Time for the fun part! Gently fold in the M&M’s, peanut butter chips, broken potato chips, and pretzels. The variety of textures and flavors here is what makes Santa’s Trash Cookies so addictive. Be gentle so you don’t crush the chips and pretzels too much.

Step 5: Scoop, Top, and Bake

Using a ¼-cup cookie scoop or a large ice cream scoop, place 6 to 8 cookie dough balls on your parchment-lined sheets, leaving plenty of space. I always add a few extra M&M’s and chips on top of the dough balls before sprinkling with flaked sea salt—looks beautiful and adds that extra salty pop. Bake for 11 to 14 minutes. The cookies should have a golden brown edge and a slightly glossy center. If they’ve spread unevenly, I like to gently nudge the edges back toward the center with a spatula as soon as they come out of the oven.

How to Serve Santa’s Trash Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little extra flaked sea salt just as the cookies come out of the oven—it makes such a difference! For a festive look, feel free to add a few colorful M&M’s on top right before baking. If you want to jazz it up at a party, a drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate adds a lovely touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies are a star on their own, but I like pairing them with a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of peppermint hot chocolate during the holidays. They also go surprisingly well alongside coffee or even a cream cheese frosting dip for an extra indulgent treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving season, I pack these in festive tins layered with parchment paper. You can also arrange a cookie platter with Santa’s Trash Cookies bordered by candy canes and mini marshmallows for an irresistible display at holiday gatherings. If you’re hosting kids, have them help with adding mix-ins or shaping dough balls for extra fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They keep fresh for about 4 to 5 days, and honestly, they rarely last that long in my house. If you want to keep them soft, adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture.

Freezing

Santa’s Trash Cookie dough freezes beautifully! I like to scoop the dough balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When baking from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This way, you can have fresh cookies whenever the mood strikes.

Reheating

If you have leftovers that have lost their fresh-from-the-oven charm, a quick 5 to 10 seconds in the microwave revives that soft, melty texture perfectly. Just be careful not to overheat or the cookies can get tough or dry out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how Santa’s Trash Cookie Recipe turned into a holiday tradition for me. There’s just something so comforting about a cookie that brings together all these flavors and textures in one bite. It’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or just sneaking a few while wrapping presents. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and enjoy the magic that comes with every batch. If you ever feel stuck or want to switch things up, remember—it’s supposed to be ‘trash’; the more fun mix-ins the better. Happy baking!

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