Irresistible Holiday Trash Cookies You Need to Bake

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these Holiday Trash Cookies – they’re my absolute favorite baking project every December! I swear, my kids start begging for them as soon as the first Christmas decorations go up. The best part? These cookies are basically a party in your mouth – sweet M&Ms, salty pretzels, and crunchy potato chips all packed into one chewy, colorful cookie. Last year, I brought them to our neighborhood cookie swap and let me tell you, they disappeared faster than Santa’s milk and cookies!

What makes these Holiday Trash Cookies so special is that magical sweet-and-salty combo that keeps you reaching for “just one more.” They’re the perfect solution when you want something festive but don’t want to fuss with complicated decorating. Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to make – even if baking isn’t your strong suit, these cookies turn out perfect every single time. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your new holiday tradition too!

Why You’ll Love Holiday Trash Cookies

These cookies are seriously the best thing to happen to holiday baking since sprinkles! Here’s why everyone goes crazy for them:

• Impossible to mess up – No fancy techniques here, just dump and mix! Perfect for baking with kids or when you’re short on time
• Total crowd-pleaser – The sweet-salty combo means there’s something for everyone in every bite
• Customizable – Swap out mix-ins based on what you’ve got in your pantry
• Party perfect – They look so festive piled high on a platter with all those colorful M&Ms peeking through
• Texture heaven – Crunchy, chewy, crispy all at once – it’s like Christmas magic in cookie form!

Seriously, these cookies check all the boxes – easy, delicious, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like holiday cheer!

Holiday Trash Cookies Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these magical cookies – and trust me, you probably have half of it in your pantry already!

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Leave it out for 30 minutes or microwave for 5-second bursts until it gives slightly when pressed
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed – Pack it firmly into your measuring cup for that perfect caramel flavor
• ½ cup granulated sugar – Just regular white sugar does the trick
• 2 large eggs – Room temperature eggs blend better with the butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract – The good stuff makes all the difference
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it – don’t scoop directly from the bag!
• 1 tsp baking soda – Check that it’s fresh for proper rise
• ½ tsp salt – Balances all the sweetness
• ¾ cup holiday red & green M&M’s – The seasonal colors make them extra festive
• ¾ cup crushed pretzels – I use mini twists and give them a rough chop
• ½ cup crushed ridged potato chips – Wavy chips add the best crunch
• ½ cup white chocolate chips – Melty pockets of creamy goodness
• ¼ cup red & green holiday sprinkles – Because everything’s better with sprinkles!

Ingredient Notes

Now let’s talk about those special ingredients that make these cookies so uniquely delicious:

Crushed potato chips might sound crazy, but they’re the secret weapon here! The saltiness cuts through the sweetness, and they stay surprisingly crisp in the baked cookies. Wavy chips hold up better than regular ones, but in a pinch, any salty chip will work.

Pretzels add that perfect salty-sweet crunch. I like to leave some bigger pieces for texture – about pea-sized is perfect. If you’re out of pretzels, try salted peanuts or even crushed cornflakes for a different kind of crunch.

For the M&M’s, I’m obsessed with using the holiday colors, but any variety works. The candy shells stay vibrant even after baking! If you’re making these outside the holidays, peanut M&M’s or even Reese’s Pieces would be amazing too.

And about those sprinkles – they’re not just pretty! The jimmies (long, skinny sprinkles) hold their shape better than nonpareils (tiny balls) during baking. But honestly? Use whatever makes you happy – that’s the spirit of trash cookies!

How to Make Holiday Trash Cookies

Okay, let’s get baking! First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). Trust me, you want it nice and hot when your cookies go in. Now grab your biggest mixing bowl – we’re making a serious batch here!

Cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. I use my hand mixer for about 2 minutes – you’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks almost like caramel frosting. Then beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Splash in that vanilla and give it one more good mix.

In another bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this to your butter mixture – I do it in about three batches, mixing just until combined each time. Now the fun part! Dump in all those glorious mix-ins – M&M’s, pretzels, potato chips, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles. Here’s my secret: fold them in gently with a wooden spoon or spatula instead of mixing. This keeps all those crunchy bits intact.

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. They’ll spread a bit! Bake for 10-12 minutes – you want the edges golden but the centers still slightly soft. Oh, and resist the urge to eat them right away! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set up perfectly.

Baking Tips for Perfect Holiday Trash Cookies

After making these dozens of times, here are my can’t-miss tips: Always use parchment paper or silicone mats – these sticky cookies need it! Don’t overmix the dough after adding flour or your cookies will be tough. And that cooling time on the baking sheet? Non-negotiable for that perfect chewy texture. One more thing – if your kitchen is warm, chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking to prevent overspreading. Now go make some cookie magic!

Storing and Serving Holiday Trash Cookies

Here’s the best part – these cookies stay fresh for days! Just pop them in an airtight container with a slice of bread (sounds weird, but it keeps them soft!) at room temperature. They’ll last up to a week… if they don’t get eaten first!

Want to bring back that just-baked magic? Warm them for 10 seconds in the microwave – the chocolate gets melty and the pretzels crisp up again. They’re absolute showstoppers piled high on a holiday cookie platter with all those colorful M&Ms peeking through. Pro tip: make a double batch because these disappear faster than Santa’s cookies on Christmas Eve!

Holiday Trash Cookies Variations

The beauty of these cookies? You can totally make them your own! Swap the holiday M&M’s for pastel ones at Easter or classic red and green for Christmas. Feeling nutty? Toss in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. Not a white chocolate fan? Dark chocolate chips or even butterscotch chips would be divine. Oh, and if you’re feeling extra festive, try rolling the dough balls in coarse sugar before baking for a sparkly finish!

Holiday Trash Cookies Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating these cookies for their health benefits! While I’ve included estimated nutrition info below, remember that values can change depending on your exact ingredients. Using different brands of chips or chocolate, or adjusting mix-in amounts slightly will affect the numbers. And honestly? During the holidays, some things are just meant to be enjoyed without overanalyzing!

The nutrition per cookie averages about 210 calories with that perfect sweet-salty balance we love. But here’s the thing – one bite and you’ll realize these aren’t just cookies, they’re edible holiday cheer. So grab a glass of milk, gather your favorite people, and savor every delicious bite!

Holiday Trash Cookies FAQs

I get asked these questions all the time – here’s everything you need to know about these festive cookies!

Can I freeze Holiday Trash Cookie dough?
Absolutely! These cookies freeze like a dream. Scoop the dough balls onto a baking sheet and freeze them solid (about 1 hour), then transfer to a freezer bag. When cookie cravings hit, just bake frozen dough balls for 12-14 minutes – no thawing needed! Perfect for last-minute holiday guests.

How long do these sweet and salty cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, they’ll stay delicious for up to a week. The pretzels and chips might lose a tiny bit of crunch after day 3, but trust me – they’ll be long gone before then! For maximum freshness, I sometimes stash a few in the freezer to enjoy after the holidays.

Can I make these without potato chips?
Of course! That’s the beauty of this Christmas cookie mashup – you can customize it. Try substituting with extra pretzels, chopped nuts, or even crispy rice cereal. The key is keeping that contrast of textures and flavors that makes these cookies so addictive.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
Ah, the classic cookie conundrum! Usually it means your butter was too soft or your dough needed a quick chill. Next time, try refrigerating the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking. Also, make sure you’re not packing too much dough in each scoop – about 2 tablespoons per cookie is perfect.

Can I use different M&M colors for other holidays?
Yes! This easy holiday dessert adapts beautifully for any occasion. Pastel M&Ms for Easter, red/white/blue for Fourth of July, or even just classic colors year-round. The sprinkles and mix-ins can change too – that’s why we call them “trash” cookies! Anything goes.

I can’t wait to hear how your Holiday Trash Cookies turn out! There’s nothing I love more than seeing your baking creations. Snap a photo of your cookie platter and tag me – I’ll be the first one cheering you on! And if you loved this recipe as much as my family does, leave a quick star rating below. It helps other bakers discover these festive treats too. Now go enjoy those sweet-and-salty bites with your favorite people – that’s what holiday baking’s all about!

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