Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are the ultimate sweet and salty treat for Valentine’s Day or any time you want a fun and creative dessert. These cookies combine all your favorite mix-ins—pretzels, chocolate chips, toffee bits, and more—in a buttery, chewy cookie base. Perfect for sharing, these cookies are customizable, simple to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
What Are Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies?
Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies get their name from their mix-it-all-in approach. These cookies are a delightful fusion of textures and flavors, combining sweet ingredients like chocolate and toffee with salty crunch from pretzels and potato chips. This recipe’s versatility allows you to tailor the mix-ins to your preferences, making it a creative and fun baking project.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Fun: Easy to make and perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Customizable: Add your favorite mix-ins to suit your taste.
- Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are ideal for Valentine’s Day treat bags.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The blend of salty and sweet flavors appeals to everyone.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup (175 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (60 g) crushed pretzels
- ½ cup (60 g) crushed potato chips
- ½ cup (50 g) toffee bits
- ½ cup (50 g) Valentine’s-themed sprinkles

Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
Adding the Mix-Ins
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, pretzels, potato chips, toffee bits, and sprinkles using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix.
Shaping and Baking
- Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown but the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving Suggestions
Serve Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies with a glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa. They also make a fantastic addition to dessert platters or Valentine’s Day gift boxes.
Storing and Freezing
Storage Tips
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezing Instructions
- Dough: Freeze pre-shaped cookie dough balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- Baked Cookies: Allow cookies to cool completely, then freeze in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Nutty Twist: Add ½ cup (50 g) chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Candy Swap: Substitute M&M’s or chopped candy bars for the chocolate chips.
- Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter, flaxseed egg substitutes, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be prepared up to 48 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
What other mix-ins can I use?
Get creative with white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, mini marshmallows, or crushed graham crackers.
Why do the centers of my cookies look underbaked?
This is normal! The cookies will continue to set as they cool, resulting in a chewy texture.
Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a sweet and salty twist. Whether you’re baking them for yourself, your family, or as a gift, these cookies are sure to win hearts. Try the recipe today and let us know your favorite mix-ins!
Print
Cupid’s Trash Can Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
These sweet and salty cookies are a Valentine’s Day favorite, packed with crushed pretzels, potato chips, chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles. With their chewy texture and customizable mix-ins, they’re the perfect treat to share or gift.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup (175 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (60 g) crushed pretzels
- ½ cup (60 g) crushed potato chips
- ½ cup (50 g) toffee bits
- ½ cup (50 g) Valentine’s-themed sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, pretzels, potato chips, toffee bits, and sprinkles.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden brown, but centers are slightly underbaked.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- Variations: Substitute mix-ins like white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit to customize.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~180 per serving