Toffee Cookies with Walnuts
A drizzle of caramel and chocolate make these delectable Toffee Cookies with Walnuts perfect for the holidays!
Festive Toffee Cookies with Walnuts
Wednesday was my last cookie exchange for the season. For the past 8 years, about 12 neighbors meet for coffee and nibbles, then swap cookies and go out for lunch. It is one of my favorite events of the Christmas season. I’ve had this recipe for Toffee Cookies in my holiday recipe binder for a while, but decided they needed a little festive drizzle…first with caramel, then followed by chocolate.
I am a toffee fanatic, so anything with Heath bars as an ingredient is just fine by me. These were chewy and wonderful with the double crunch of toffee and walnuts in every bite. The drizzle of chocolate and caramel is totally optional. I think I’d be happy with just a bowl of cookie dough; it’s that good!
Cookie Exchange Cookies
Fast forward to 2016! I made these for our annual cookie exchange and figured they deserved some new photos. The same group of us still gathers in December to swap cookies, sip coffee and visit before heading out to lunch. We had our first measurable snowfall, but everyone trekked over and sampled my Cranberry Brie en Croute and Cream Cheese Tea Roll. These Toffee Cookies with Walnuts are perfect for your cookie exchange, but tasty enough to make any time of the year!!
Tips for Making Toffee Cookies with Walnuts
These toffee cookies are very basic but adding a little swirl of chocolate and caramel transforms them into something special.
- I like chopping Heath bars into small chunks instead of using toffee bits. They’re slightly bigger giving a better boost of toffee!
- Toasting your walnuts isn’t a must, but by warming the oils, the flavor will be even better. I toast them on a sheet pan at 350 degrees for 5 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
- Refrigerate the cookie dough for about an hour to minimize spreading when they’re baked. Line your sheet pans with parchment for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Use a cookie scoop/cookie disher to make consistent sized cookies.
- If the cookies aren’t perfectly round when they come out of the oven, use a spatula to tap the cookie edges while they’re hot to make them more symmetrical.
- To drizzle I like to put the chocolate or caramel into a quart-sized zip-topped bag and remove any excess air. Snip off a corner, then drizzle back and forth.
Toffee Cookies with Walnuts
Festive Toffee Cookies for the holidays. Adapted from Simply Recipes.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups chopped Heath bars (Eight 1.4 ounce bars)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Caramel Drizzle
- 16 caramels, unwrapped
- 1 tablespoon cream
Chocolate Drizzle
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Cream butter with electric mixer till light and fluffy. Add sugars and beat till well combined. Beat in eggs one at a time followed by vanilla.
- Mix in salt and baking soda, then flour. Combine Heath bar pieces and walnuts and mix in by hand till well dispersed. Chill covered dough at least one hour.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350º. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place on baking sheets and bake 10-12 minutes, till edges start to brown. Cookies spread so leave 2-3 inches between dough balls. Allow to cool on baking sheet, then remove to rack.
Optional drizzles:
- To make caramel drizzle, place caramels and cream in microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 second increments, stopping and stirring, till smooth and melted. Allow to cool slightly and drizzle over cookies.
- To make chocolate drizzle, follow the same instructions as in the caramel drizzle.
Notes
Total time does not reflect chilling time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
30Serving Size:
2 cookiesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 240Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 175mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 3g
59 Comments on “Toffee Cookies with Walnuts”
I love toffee cookies. Especially if you’re going to throw some walnuts in there too!
How sweet to include your neighborly gathering. Happy Holidays to you all. Love those cookies. I could just sit and eat the cookie dough too. Cheers!
Leave it you to kick them up a notch with the drizzle, will have to try that next time. I love cookie exchanges, wish I was your neighbor so I could be included. Ever considered relocating to Cali, I am in need of an assistant for next year, lol. Wishing you and your family Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year. You are one talented baker, cook and sweeter than all your baked goods.
-Gina
Oh my! You have outdone yourself with all these delicious holiday cookies! It’s such a joy to stop by your blog and see another beautiful plate of cookies. Merry Christmas, Liz!
Love the cookies, Lizzy, and the pretty drizzle especially!
So nice what you ladies do with the cookies exchange, and the lunch get together!
I don’t even know 12 neighbors here in S. Florida. Most are “snow birds!” …just here for the season!
Merry Christmas my dear friend, to you and your sweet family!
xoxo
What great toffee gooey cookies. The drizzle is adorable. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I want to be a part of your next cookie exchange and you have to bring these! I love heath. Love, love, love. These look yummy.
Mmm these sound delicious & look amazing with the chocolate & caramel drizzle! I find that a lot of people don’t reach for the Heath bar, but it’s definitely one of my favs! Yum!!
what a super cute bunch of ladies! And I like toffee too, Lizzy! Lovely cookies, lovely.
I’m probably making cappuccino and rum roll cake this weekend, hope it won’t crack 🙂
Its nice to see how wonderful neighbours your have Lizzy, over at my place, everyone is like shut the door and stay inside. Nobody even bother smiling at each other and I have got used to this though when I initially moved to new neighbourhood, I was shocked at the culture of the people living in my area.
I will go for the cookie without the drizzle, sure looks like I can have a piece or two.
Just in case I don’t see any postings from you for the next couple of days with Christmas being around the corner, Merry Christmas to everyone at home including the cute doggie and God Bless.
Lizzy, you are one cool lady!! I love that you and your neighbors do a holiday cookie exchange. It’s very sweet. 🙂 These toffee cookies are outstanding. I love the drizzle on top… makes them look perfect. I just made fudge and I am waiting for it to set so I can post today. LOL! I was busy with school parties yesterday and did not get anything done. Yes, I am definitely behind now. PS… your pictures look superb. 🙂
sweet holiday cookies
Cookie exchanges are always so much fun, I understand why it would be one of your favorite events!
The cookies do look good, the drizzle on top really does add a special touch to an already delicious cookie!
I wish you and your family the best this holiday season and I am glad that we became friends this year XOXO!
These cookies are holiday perfect with extra caramel and chocolate drizzle. Looks like you had a wonderful time at your cookie exchange.
I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
I’m with you on the toffee, Liz. These cookies sound perfect!
lovely cookies and lovely family!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, you are so darn photogenic… hugs to you… lovely cookie!
they sure make your day these cookies.
Lizzy wish you and your family a merry christmas and a new year full of peace and love. A big hug!
The mouth is watering and I need one of these cookie now please!
What a fun group – bet they were happy with these! I LOVE toffee – they are perfect. Happy holidays!