Santa’s Trash Cookies (Sweet and Salty Christmas Cookies)

If you’ve never tried Santa’s Trash Cookies, you’re in for a delicious surprise! These fun Christmas cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, crunchy potato chips, salty pretzels, and colorful holiday sprinkles. They’re sweet, salty, buttery, and packed with a little crunch in every bite.

Don’t let the funny name fool you. There’s nothing trashy about these cookies! They’re inspired by kitchen sink cookies, where all kinds of delicious mix-ins come together in one irresistible treat.

The combination of rich chocolate, salty chips, crunchy pretzels, and soft cookie dough makes these a fun addition to any Christmas cookie tray.

They’re especially great when you have a few handfuls of snacks left in the pantry and want to turn them into something special.

Whether you’re baking for a Christmas cookie exchange, a holiday party, or a cozy afternoon at home, these cookies are easy to make and even more fun to share.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Total Time: Approximately 27 minutes, plus cooling
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
Oven Temperature: 350°F (175°C)
Course: Dessert
Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love Santa’s Trash Cookies

The perfect sweet-and-salty combination. Chocolate chips and brown sugar balance the salty pretzels and potato chips.

Fun Christmas colors. Red and green sprinkles make these cookies look festive without complicated decorating.

No dough chilling required. You can mix, scoop, and bake the cookies right away.

Great for using pantry snacks. Those leftover pretzels and potato chips become delicious cookie mix-ins.

Soft centers and golden edges. The cookies bake with tender middles and lightly crisp edges.

Perfect for cookie exchanges. One batch makes approximately two dozen cookies.

What Are Santa’s Trash Cookies?

Santa’s Trash Cookies are festive Christmas cookies made with a classic buttery cookie dough and a mixture of sweet and salty ingredients.

They’re similar to kitchen sink cookies, which are known for including several different mix-ins.

In this version, semi-sweet chocolate chips provide richness, crushed potato chips add a salty crunch, and pretzels bring extra texture.

Red and green sprinkles give the cookies their Christmas appearance.

The result is a fun holiday cookie that’s a little different from traditional sugar cookies, gingerbread, or snickerdoodles.

Ingredients for Santa’s Trash Cookies

Cookie Dough

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Sweet and Salty Mix-Ins

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup crushed thick-cut potato chips, such as Ruffles
1/2 cup crushed thin pretzels
1/3 cup red and green holiday sprinkles

Ingredient Notes

Butter: Use softened butter, not melted butter. It should be soft enough to press with your finger but still hold its shape.

Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a slightly caramel-like flavor.

Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate provides a good balance against the sweet cookie dough.

Potato Chips: Thick-cut or ridged potato chips hold their texture better than very thin chips.

Pretzels: Thin pretzel twists or sticks work well. Break them into small pieces rather than crushing them into powder.

Holiday Sprinkles: Jimmies generally work well because they hold their shape better than some delicate sugar decorations.

How to Make Santa’s Trash Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and creamy.

Add the egg and vanilla extract.

Continue mixing until everything is well combined.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.

Mix just until a soft cookie dough forms.

Avoid overmixing, which can make the cookies tougher.

Step 4: Add the Sweet and Salty Mix-Ins

Add the chocolate chips, crushed potato chips, pretzels, and holiday sprinkles.

Using a spatula, gently fold everything into the dough.

Try to keep some larger pieces of chips and pretzels intact for extra crunch.

Step 5: Scoop the Cookie Dough

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into approximately 2-tablespoon-sized balls.

Arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.

For a prettier finished appearance, press a few extra chocolate chips, pretzel pieces, or sprinkles onto the tops before baking.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Bake for approximately 10–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still look slightly soft.

The cookies will continue setting as they cool.

If baking both sheets at once, rotate them as needed for even baking.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Transfer them to a wire cooling rack and let them cool completely.

Serve with a glass of cold milk, hot chocolate, or coffee.

Tips for the Best Santa’s Trash Cookies

Don’t Crush the Chips Too Finely

You want little crunchy pieces throughout the cookies, not potato chip dust.

Break the chips into small chunks using your hands.

Use Room-Temperature Butter

Softened butter creams more evenly with sugar and helps create a consistent cookie dough.

Measure the Flour Carefully

Too much flour can make the cookies dry.

Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it with a knife.

Don’t Overbake

Remove the cookies when the edges are set but the centers still look soft.

They will firm up as they cool.

Save Some Mix-Ins for the Tops

Adding a few extra pieces before baking makes the chocolate, pretzels, and colorful sprinkles more visible.

Common Cookie Problems and Solutions

Why Are My Cookies Too Dry?

Too much flour or overbaking can make cookies dry.

Measure flour carefully and begin checking the cookies around the 10-minute mark.

Why Are My Cookies Spreading Too Much?

Butter that is overly soft or melted can cause excess spreading.

If your dough feels very warm or sticky, refrigerate it for 20–30 minutes before baking.

Why Are My Potato Chips Soggy?

Potato chips naturally soften somewhat when baked into cookie dough.

Use thick-cut chips and avoid crushing them too finely for better texture.

Why Did My Sprinkles Bleed?

Some sprinkle varieties release color into moist dough.

Use good-quality jimmies and fold them in gently.

Fun Santa’s Trash Cookie Variations

White Chocolate Trash Cookies: Replace some of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips.

Peanut Butter Trash Cookies: Add peanut butter chips for an extra sweet-and-salty flavor.

M&M’s Christmas Cookies: Replace some of the chocolate chips with red and green candy-coated chocolates.

Extra Crunchy Cookies: Add a small handful of chopped pecans or walnuts.

Year-Round Kitchen Sink Cookies: Swap the Christmas sprinkles for rainbow sprinkles to enjoy these cookies any time of year.

How to Store Santa’s Trash Cookies

Room Temperature

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days.

The potato chips and pretzels may gradually lose some of their crunch.

Freezer

Freeze baked cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality.

Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Freezing Cookie Dough

Portion the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet until firm.

Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.

Bake from frozen, allowing a little additional baking time as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are They Called Santa’s Trash Cookies?

The name comes from the mix of sweet and salty pantry ingredients, similar to kitchen sink cookies. Despite the playful name, they’re made with delicious everyday baking ingredients.

Can I Use Regular Potato Chips?

Yes, but thick-cut or ridged potato chips tend to hold up better in the dough.

Can I Make These Cookies Without Pretzels?

Absolutely. You can leave them out or replace them with another crunchy mix-in.

Can I Make Santa’s Trash Cookies Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Let chilled dough soften slightly if it’s too firm to scoop.

Can I Use Salted Butter?

Yes. If using salted butter, consider reducing or omitting the added salt because the pretzels and potato chips already contribute saltiness.

How Many Cookies Does This Recipe Make?

Approximately 24 cookies when using 2-tablespoon portions. The exact yield depends on scoop size.