Sweet and Salty Loaded Cookies for Santa: The Perfect Treat for the Holiday Season

Looking for a cookie recipe that will leave everyone raving? Ive got you covered! I first stumbled across these Sweet and Salty Loaded Cookies on The Salted Sweets, and let me tell youthey quickly became a favorite in my house. When I want to bake something fun, delicious, and a little unexpected, this is my go-to recipe.

Imagine buttery, chewy cookies loaded with M&Ms, peanut butter chips, crushed potato chips, and pretzels. Every bite is like a flavor explosionsweet, salty, and perfectly balanced. Its the kind of cookie that feels a little fancy but is so easy to make.

Whether youre baking for a holiday party, a cozy night at home, or just because you deserve a treat, these cookies will definitely steal the show!

Why I Love These Cookies (and You Will Too!)

What makes these cookies so special is how they strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty. The flaked sea salt on top is my favorite finishing touchit brings out the sweetness and adds a little crunch that makes every bite even more satisfying.

And lets talk versatility! This recipe is perfect for using up whatever mix-ins you have in your pantry. Dont have peanut butter chips? No problem! Swap them for chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or even chopped candy bars. Its basically a choose-your-own-adventure cookie!

Whenever I make these, I love hearing the oohs and ahhs when people take that first bite. Trust me, youre going to want to double the batch because these disappear fast!

Want to try them? Scroll down for the full recipeyoure going to love these as much as I do!

The Recipe

Heres how to bring these sweet and salty delights to life:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup (220 g) packed brown sugar

• cup (100 g) granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3 cups (420 g) all-purpose flour

• cup (125 g) M&M’s

• cup (85 g) peanut butter chips

• cup (25 g) crushed potato chips

• cup (40 g) broken pretzel pieces

• Flaked sea salt, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 365F (185C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the eggs and vanilla until smooth.

4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. Stop mixing once the flour is just combinedovermixing can make the cookies tough.

5. Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently mix in the M&M’s, peanut butter chips, potato chips, and pretzels.

6. Scoop and Shape: Use a cup scoop to form dough balls. Place them on the baking sheets, leaving room for spreading. Add extra M&M’s or other mix-ins on top, and sprinkle with sea salt.

7. Bake: Bake for 11-14 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly glossy.

8. Shape for Perfection: If the cookies spread unevenly, use a spatula to gently shape them into perfect circles while theyre still warm.

9. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Tips for Success

• Chill the Dough: If you have extra time, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can enhance the flavors and help the cookies maintain their shape.

• Customize the Mix-Ins: Get creative! Swap in white chocolate chips, toffee bits, or even mini marshmallows.

• Measure with Care: For the best results, weigh your flour with a kitchen scale. If youre using measuring cups, lightly spoon the flour into the cup to avoid overpacking.

Why Flaked Sea Salt?

The flaked sea salt isnt just a garnishits a game-changer! It elevates the flavors of the sweet and salty mix-ins, creating a more dynamic and indulgent cookie. Trust us, you wont want to skip this step.

Make-Ahead and Storage

These cookies are perfect for making ahead. You can:

• Freeze the Dough: Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the bake time.

• Store Baked Cookies: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a weekif they last that long!

The Perfect Treat for Any Occasion

Whether youre baking for a holiday cookie exchange, surprising a friend, or simply treating yourself, these Sweet and Salty Loaded Cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. Their unique flavor profile and delightful texture will keep everyone coming back for more.

Ready to bake? Let us know how they turn out in the comments or tag us on social media with your creations! Happy baking!