Cupid's Trash Can Cookies

Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are a fun and festive treat, especially popular around Valentine’s Day. These cookies are a colorful mix of various ingredients, often made with a combination of different types of chocolate chips, candies, sprinkles, and sometimes even bits of leftover treats (hence the “trash can” name). The dough itself is usually rich and buttery, with the added sweetness of the mix-ins creating a chewy, gooey, and irresistible cookie. The vibrant colors and fun combinations make them the perfect sweet to celebrate love and share with friends and family.

I first made Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies when I wanted to create something fun and festive for Valentine’s Day, and they turned out to be a big hit! The random mix of candy pieces adds a playful touch, and the cookies turn out soft and chewy with the perfect balance of sweet and salty. What I love most about this recipe is its versatility—you can use any candies or chocolate that you have on hand, making it a great way to use up leftover treats. These cookies are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion but especially fun for Valentine’s Day celebrations!

Perfect for:

Valentine’s Day
Celebratory events
Birthday parties
Cookie lovers
A fun treat for all ages

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are 10 reasons why these Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies will become your go-to cookie recipe:

Endless Flavor Combinations: Every bite brings a unique mix of chocolate, candy, and crunch.
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Salty: The combination of chocolate chips and salty pretzels gives these cookies a crave-worthy flavor.
Chewy Texture: These cookies are soft and chewy, creating the perfect bite.
Colorful and Fun: The addition of M&Ms makes these cookies visually exciting and perfect for festive occasions.
Customizable Add-ins: Feel free to add your favorite snacks, like nuts or marshmallows, to make them your own.
Quick to Make: These cookies come together in a flash, making them perfect for last-minute cravings.
Great for Sharing: Make a big batch and share with friends and family for a sweet treat that’s sure to please.
Kid-Friendly: Kids will love both making and eating these colorful cookies.
Make-Ahead Option: Dough can be prepared ahead of time and chilled until ready to bake.
Bake and Enjoy: No complicated steps—just simple, delicious cookie-making fun.

Preparation and Cooking Time

Total Time: 1 hour
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories per serving: Approximately 150-200 calories
Key Nutrients: Protein: 2g, Carbs: 25g, Fat: 8g

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup mini M&Ms
½ cup pretzel pieces
½ cup oats
½ cup mini marshmallows (optional)

Optional Garnish:

Extra M&Ms
Sea salt (for sprinkling)

Ingredient Highlights

Pretzels: Add a crunchy, salty contrast to the sweet ingredients.
Chocolate Chips: A must for rich chocolate flavor.
M&Ms: Brighten up the cookies with their colorful, candy-coated coating.
Mini Marshmallows: Optional, but they provide an extra chewy, gooey texture.
Oats: For a hint of chewiness and added texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Cookie Dough:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Add the Fun Mix-ins: Stir in chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzel pieces, oats, and marshmallows (if using).

Shape and Bake the Cookies:

Form Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve:

Garnish and Enjoy: For extra flavor, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt or add extra M&Ms on top before baking. Serve and enjoy the crunchy, chewy goodness.

How to Serve

Here are 10 serving suggestions for Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies:

As a Valentine’s Day Treat: Serve at a Valentine’s Day party or as a special snack for your loved ones.
In a Cookie Jar: Keep them in a decorative jar for a fun, accessible treat.
With a Glass of Milk: Classic and delicious—serve with a tall glass of milk for dipping.
For Gift Giving: Package these cookies in a cute box or bag and give them as a homemade gift.
With Ice Cream: Place a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies for a fun twist.
As Party Favors: Give each guest a couple of cookies wrapped in parchment paper for a party treat.
With Coffee or Tea: Perfect for a mid-afternoon snack with your favorite hot beverage.
As a Sweet Snack for Kids: A colorful and fun treat for after-school snacks.
With Hot Chocolate: Pair with a mug of warm hot chocolate for extra sweetness.
For a Picnic: Pack these cookies in a picnic basket for a fun and easy dessert.

Additional Tips

Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Mix and Match Add-ins: Customize these cookies by adding your favorite candy, nuts, or dried fruits.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies—take them out when they’re golden around the edges, as they’ll continue to cook on the sheet.
Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
Baking in Batches: If baking multiple batches, allow the baking sheet to cool between batches to avoid spreading.

Recipe Variations

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: Swap the pretzels for chopped peanut butter cups for a peanut-butter-chocolate twist.
Gluten-Free Cookies: Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version of these cookies.
Vegan Version: Use dairy-free butter and egg replacer for a vegan-friendly treat.
Coconut-Lover’s Cookies: Add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
White Chocolate Trash Can Cookies: Replace semisweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a creamy version.
Nutty Cookies: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
S’mores Cookies: Add crushed graham crackers and mini chocolate bars for a s’mores-inspired cookie.
Caramel Filled Cookies: Add caramel bits for a gooey, chewy surprise in every bite.

Special Equipment

Electric Mixer: To cream butter and sugar together smoothly.
Scoop or Spoon: For evenly portioning the cookie dough.
Baking Sheet: For spreading out and baking your cookies.
Cooling Rack: To allow cookies to cool evenly and avoid sogginess.
Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: For non-stick baking.

FAQ Section

Can I use any other types of candy?
Yes! Use your favorite candy or mix-ins, such as Snickers, Reese’s, or mini chocolate bars.
How do I store the cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 2 months. Roll into balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag.
Can I make these cookies without oats?
Yes, you can omit the oats if preferred or substitute with more pretzels or chocolate chips.
How can I make the cookies chewier?
Slightly underbake the cookies or add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar for a chewier texture.
Can I make the cookies smaller?
Absolutely! Just adjust the baking time accordingly.
How do I avoid spreading too much during baking?
Chill the dough before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe for a bigger batch—just be sure to adjust your baking sheets accordingly.
Do I have to use mini M&Ms?
No, you can use regular-sized M&Ms or any candy you prefer.
Can I use regular-sized pretzels instead of mini ones?
Yes, just break the pretzels into smaller pieces before adding them to the dough.

Conclusion

Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are a fun and festive treat that combine a variety of sweet and salty ingredients, creating a deliciously chewy, crunchy, and colorful cookie. These cookies are packed with an assortment of candy, chocolate, pretzels, and sprinkles, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion that calls for a playful, indulgent treat. The combination of textures and flavors makes each bite a little surprise, with a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy.

This recipe is super easy to make, and you can get creative by adding your favorite candies, nuts, or even leftover holiday treats to the mix. The beauty of these cookies is their versatility – you can toss in whatever ingredients you have on hand, making each batch unique. Whether you use M&Ms, white chocolate chips, or gummy bears, Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

I can’t wait to see how your Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies turn out! Be sure to share your photos on Instagram and tag me—I’d love to see your fun, colorful creations. Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know how you made these cookies your own!