Introduction
Valentine’s Day is a special occasion filled with love, joy, and of course, delicious treats! These Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are the perfect sweet surprise for your loved ones. Imagine a cookie that combines all your favorite flavors in one delightful bite—sweet chocolate, salty pretzels, crunchy chips, and fluffy marshmallows. It’s a whimsical treat that embraces the spirit of sharing and fun. The best part? You can whip up a batch in no time, making them an easy yet impressive addition to your Valentine’s Day celebration!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup M&M’s
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- 1 cup crushed potato chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies
Directions and Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, creating a light base for your cookies.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure everything is fully incorporated, then stir in the fragrant vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will be your dry mix, helping the cookies rise perfectly.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will keep your cookies tender.
- Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, vibrant M&M’s, crushed pretzels, crushed potato chips, and mini marshmallows until they are evenly dispersed throughout the dough. Each cookie will be a delightful surprise!
- Using rounded tablespoons, drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to space them about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread a bit while baking!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set. You want them to have that perfect chewy texture!
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely and enjoy the delicious aroma that fills your kitchen.
Notes or Tips
These cookies are a delicious way to experiment with flavors! Feel free to swap out any of the mix-ins for your favorites. You can use peanut butter chips instead of white chocolate or add some chopped nuts for extra crunch. Just remember to keep the overall proportions the same to maintain the texture. If you want an even more indulgent treat, drizzle some melted chocolate over the cooled cookies before serving!
Cooking Techniques
When baking these cookies, ensure that your butter is at room temperature to achieve that fluffy creamed texture. This step is crucial as it helps to create a light and airy dough that results in soft, chewy cookies. Mixing the dough just until combined helps to prevent tough cookies, so mix gently!
FAQ
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just scoop the dough onto the baking sheet when you’re ready to bake!
How should I store the cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They may get slightly softer over time, but they will still be delicious!
Conclusion
These Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are not only a fun and festive treat for Valentine’s Day, but they also bring together a variety of textures and flavors that everyone will love. Perfect for sharing with friends, family, or that special someone, these cookies embody the joy of baking and the spirit of love. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable!