Description
Cupids trash can cookies deliver a whimsical valentine’s treat packed with unexpected charm. Sweet chocolate chunks and colorful sprinkles create irresistible cookie magic you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110 grams / 4 oz) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups (296 grams / 10.5 oz) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (60 grams / 2 oz) crushed pretzels
- ½ cup (85 grams / 3 oz) mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup (85 grams / 3 oz) candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&Ms or Valentines candy)
- ¼ cup (40 grams / 1.4 oz) sprinkles (preferably pink, red, and white for Valentines Day)
- ¼ cup (30 grams / 1 oz) chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
- Creaming Stage: Whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Blend in eggs individually, then incorporate vanilla extract to enhance the aromatic profile of the mixture.
- Dry Ingredient Combination: Thoroughly mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Dough Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix, then delicately incorporate pretzels, mini chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates, sprinkles, and optional nuts.
- Portioning and Baking: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown and centers remain slightly soft.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with milk or package as a festive Valentine’s Day treat.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for optimal creaming, ensuring a light, fluffy cookie texture that blends smoothly with sugars.
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the dough after adding dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense cookies – stir just until ingredients combine.
- Consistent Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally prepared.
- Customize Mix-Ins: Swap or adjust candy and pretzel quantities to suit dietary preferences or create seasonal variations without compromising the cookie’s foundational structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg