These soft & chewy kitchen sink cookies can be made in one bowl and are loaded with chocolate chips, pretzels, and caramel! Inspired by Panera, these are the sweet & salty cookies of your dreams!
These cookies went Tiktok viral with almost 4 million views - watch the video here!
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Why are they called kitchen sink cookies?
Kitchen sink cookies are made with a chewy, chocolate chip cookie base & lots of delicious mix-ins! The name is based on the phrase "everything but the kitchen sink" where you can add anything you have in the pantry!
This recipe is inspired by Panera bread and is a slight alteration to my popular Panera chocolate chip cookie recipe...but is loaded with semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips, chopped caramel chunks, and pieces of pretzels! Some other kitchen sink cookie recipes add things like nuts, potato chips, or whatever sweet & salty things you have on hand!
Panera Kitchen Sink Cookie Ingredients & Notes
This is just an overview showing step-by-step photos, click here to jump down to full recipe card with exact instructions.
- Chocolate Chips: Panera uses a mix of both semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips but you can add whatever you like. Just be sure to chop at least half of the chocolate chips so that you have those small chocolate pieces in every bite (this also helps give the cookie that darker signature color!).
- Caramel: I used Kraft caramel and tore them into small pieces. You can also use the Kraft bits but I find they don't melt as well in cookies.
- Pretzels: Any salty pretzels will work!
- Butter: Use real butter here, not margarine. To get that signature flat vs. puffy cookie, we're melting the butter until it's pretty hot & then slightly flattening the top of the scooped cookies.
- Sea salt: Panera tops theirs with flaky salt, which is totally optional! My pretzels were already salty, so I left it off.
Make it gluten-free! You can substitute the all-purpose flour for half-almond flour and half of your favorite gluten-free flour! My favorite brand is Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookies
This is just an overview showing step-by-step photos, click here to jump down to full recipe card with exact instructions.
Step 1: Chop & Prep Mix-Ins
Measure out ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ½ cup milk chocolate chips, 10 caramels, and ½ cup chopped pretzels. Use a sharp knife to chop half of the chocolate chips into smaller shards and slivers. Next, chop the caramel into smaller pieces (I cut each into 6 pieces).
Tip: I recommend 1.5-2 cups of total mix-ins, so feel free to add more or less of each item as you wish!
Step 2: Make Cookie Dough
In a large microwave-safe bowl, add ½ cup (1 stick) butter and cover with a paper towel (will help for splattering). Melt the butter for 30-60 seconds until all is melted (no chunks left). You want it hot; if you hear it "pop" then it's most likely done.
To the hot butter, add in ½ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar, then use a spatula to stir until combined (* do not use a mixer for this recipe). The sugars should cool off the butter but if it's still piping hot, let cool for a minute or two.
Stir in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Next, mix in ½ teaspoon baking soda and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add in 1 ¼ cup flour and mix until all the flour disappears into the dough.
Note: The dough will be wet and sticky, this is normal and it will firm up as it sits.
Step 3: Add Mix-Ins
Add the chopped chocolate chips, whole chocolate chips, chopped pretzels, and chopped caramel into the dough and mix. Allow dough to sit for 1-2 minutes to slightly firm up, then stir (it will still be a soft & slightly sticky dough).
Tip: If your dough is really runny after it sits, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to help it firm up.
Step 4: Scoop & Roll
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop dough into ¼ cup-sized scoops (i.e. 4 tablespoons) then gently roll into your hands to create a ball. Flatten the tops so that they're a thick disc vs. a round ball. Without flattening, your cookies will be thicker and more cakey. If desired, press extra pretzel pieces on top.
Step 5: Bake & Cool
Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes. You want them to be slightly brown on the edges & top and look slightly underbaked in the center (my oven was perfect at 13 minutes).
If your cookies are wonky-shaped, immediately after taking out of the oven, use a bowl that is slightly larger than the cookie to "wiggle" it back into a circle shape.
Tip: The key to soft & chewy cookies is to take them out while the center still looks a tiny bit wet, as they will finish baking on the hot pan and firm up as they cool.
Storage & Freezing
Storing: For best texture, these are best enjoyed within 2 days but will last in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month, then allow to thaw before eating (as the caramel will be too hard to eat when frozen).
Frequently Asked Questions:
I think they're better! I've found that most Panera locations overbake their cookies, which results in dry, hard cookies. These homemade kitchen sink cookies are perfectly soft & chewy!
If you follow the instructions and use a ¼-cup sized scoop, your cookies should end up being around 4 inches. This can vary depending on your altitude and climate, but that's how big mine spread in Tennessee. The "real" Panera kitchen sink cookies are even bigger than this, so if you want to make them true-to-size, I'd suggest using a ⅓ cup scoop of dough.
They do not contain nuts but you can certainly add some if you'd like! Other fun mix-ins are marshmallows, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, chopped Reeses candy, and more!
Kitchen Sink Cookies (Panera Copycat!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter i.e. 1 stick
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (not packed, just scooped and leveled with a knife)
- 1 cup chocolate chips I did half semi-sweet and half-milk chocolate
- ½ cup pretzels, chopped
- ½ cup caramels, chopped I used ~10 Kraft caramels (you can use the Kraft caramel bits but they don't melt as well)
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Chop half of the chocolate chips (½ cup) into small shards and slivers. Cut caramels (½ cup) into small chunks (about the size of the chocolate chips) and break up the pretzels (½ cup). Set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add unsalted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick) and cover with a paper towel (will help for splattering). Melt the butter in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until all is melted (no chunks left). You want it hot; if you hear it "pop" then it's most likely done.
- To the hot butter, add in the light brown sugar (½ cup) and granulated sugar (¼ cup) and use a spatula to stir until combined (* do not use a mixer for this recipe). The sugars should cool off the butter but if it's still piping hot, let cool for a minute or two.
- Stir in egg (1 large) and vanilla extract (2 teaspoons). Next, mix in baking soda (½ teaspoon) and salt (¼ teaspoon).
- Add all-purpose flour (1 ¼ cups) and mix until all the flour disappears into the dough. Note: the dough will be wet and sticky, this is normal and it will firm up as it sits.
- Mix the chopped chocolate chips (½ cup), whole chocolate chips (½ cup), chopped pretzels (½ cup), and chopped caramel (½ cup) into the dough. Allow dough to sit for 1-2 minutes to slightly set so it's not as sticky, then stir (if needed, you can add 1-2 tablespoons flour to help it firm up).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop dough into ¼ cup sized scoops (i.e. 4 tablespoons) then gently roll into your hands to create a ball. Flatten the tops so that they're a thick disc vs. a round ball. See image in post above for reference. Without flattening, your cookies will be thicker and more cakey.If desired, press extra pretzel pieces into the top.
- Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes. You want them to be slightly brown on the edges & top and look slightly underbaked in the center (my oven was perfect at 13 minutes). Tip: If your cookies are wonky-shaped, immediately after taking out of the oven, use a bowl that is slightly larger than the cookie to "wiggle" it back into a circle shape.
- Remove from oven and place entire pan on a cooling rack. Allow the cookies to cool on the hot pan for 10-15 minutes before removing them. This will allow them to finish baking on the hot pan. Once cooled, use a spatula to transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
- Enjoy slightly warm for gooey caramel or allow to fully cool...both ways are amazing!
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
So good! Mine however spread so bad. Even after chilling for 20mins in the freezer on the cookie sheet. Is it the melted butter? Were my scoops too big? I used a ice cream scoop which made about 9
Awesome! My family and I love these cookies! Even better than Panera!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Amanda!
Loved these! I made mini cookies and baked them for 7 minutes and they turned out great!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Rachel!
Very good recipe!! Have you ever put crushed potato chips in yours along with the other ingredients? I have seen recipes with those added!! Thanks!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Patty! I have not tried potato chips yet but I've heard of other people doing that and loving it! I'll have to try it out!
I made these today, and they came out great! They did take a little longer to bake, but honestly, I think that's more about my oven than anything to do with the recipe. They're a great copycat, and I will definitely make these over and over again. Chopping the caramels was a little time consuming, but totally worth it!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Esper! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
Is it possible to make these smaller? Does the time in the oven change? SOOOO good otherwise.
You definitely can! You can do 1 tablespoons sized (super mini) and bake for 7-8 minutes or 2 tablespoons for 8-10!
I have not met a SINGLE person who has not loved these. I’ve been asked for the recipe and I’ve only made them once (so far). Delicious balance of salt and sweet.
Note: I used salted butter and just added a pinch of salt and it worked perfectly.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Sydney! I'm so glad to hear everyone has been enjoying this recipe so much!
i made them and they were absolutely amazing, i don’t bake often but the recipe was super easy to follow. i’m in love💕
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Mia! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
These are the best cookies ever. I’ve made them four times now, brought them to my friends birthdays, my dad’s bike gang events- everyone LOVES them!!! You’ve got a great recipe here, easy to follow and perfect from a baking standpoint. Seriously, everyone should make these!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Nanette! I'm so happy to hear everyone enjoys the recipe so much!
I didn't have any pretzels so I substituted chopped walnuts. These are sooooo delicious!!! My husband and I love the Panera cookies and I definitely didn't want to spend Panera cookie money all the time. This is PERFECT for us. Will definitely be buying pretzels for next time - which will probably be very soon!
That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Nancy! I really appreciate it!
Turned out ok
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jenna!
Easy and delicious!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Anna!
This is my second time making these. The first turned out to be a big hit. I make them smaller and adjust baking time as needed.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Roberta! So glad to hear you enjoy this recipe!
amazing cookie recipe. We got some of Panera‘s kitchen and cookies and did a side-by-side test. They were amazing. You could hardly tell the difference between each other 10 out of 10.
Yay, that makes me so happy to hear!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Claire! I really appreciate it!
Amazing recipe! I doubled the recipe, added Chocolate chips 1.5 cup, Caramel .5 cup, Pretzels 1 cup, and Honey comb 1 cup. It was AMAZING 👏
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
Phenomenal cookies! Search no further for the perfect cookie. Depth of flavors, perfect consistency. I added 1/2 t baking soda and 1/2 t baking powder and used Heath toffee bits and followed the recipe exactly other than that. Wow. Just like Panera.
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe so much! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!