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I love these bourbon toffee cookies for a chill weekend snack when I want something a bit fancy but still simple. The bourbon’s rich taste mixed with crunchy sweet toffee chips hits just right and keeps folks coming back for seconds.
A friend brought these to a party once and I had to ask how to make them. Now they’re my top pick when I want to wow people without a lot of effort.
What You Need
- Flour: use fresh, sifted all-purpose flour for soft and light cookies
- Baking soda and baking powder: help the cookies rise just right and stay tender
- Kosher salt: gently boosts all the flavors without being salty
- Granulated sugar: regular sugar adds the right sweet crunch; don’t swap for superfine
- Cream cheese: keeps cookies moist and adds a little tang
- Butter: melted unsalted butter mixes in smoothly and gives a buttery smell
- Bourbon: adds that warm, woody undertone that matches the toffee perfectly
- Egg: holds everything together and helps with texture
- Vanilla extract: boosts sweet flavors and balances tastes
- Toffee chips: add crunchy caramel pops, go for good ones that melt well
- Chopped pecans: give a soft nutty crunch, use fresh or lightly toasted for a flavor kick
How To Make
- Get Oven And Sheets Ready
- Turn your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment so the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Mix Dry Stuff
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt in a small bowl. This spreads out the leavening agents and salt so the cookies bake evenly.
- Whip Cream Cheese And Sugar
- In a bigger bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until all smooth and fluffy, about two minutes. This makes sure the sugar melts well and the base’s nice and airy.
- Add The Wet Ingredients
- Mix melted butter, bourbon, egg, and vanilla into the cream cheese blend. Stir until smooth and creamy. Don’t forget to scrape the sides and bottom so nothing’s left out.
- Put Together Dry Mix And Add-ins
- Slowly stir in the flour mix just until it comes together so cookies stay tender. Scrape the bowl once more, then gently fold in toffee bits and pecans till spread through the dough.
- Chill The Dough
- Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours. This helps the dough hold shape and flavors get better while baking.
- Form Cookies On Sheets
- Scoop medium-sized dollops of dough (a cookie scoop or two spoons work) and place them on the sheets, leaving about two inches between so they have room to spread.
- Bake Till Edges Are Lightly Golden
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges turn slightly golden but centers stay soft. Cool them on the pan for a minute then move to a wire rack to finish cooling.
My favorite bit is how the toffee chips melt perfectly for that sweet caramel crunch in every bite. It takes me back to baking with my grandma and sneaking some chips before the dough hit the pan.
Storing
Put these cookies in an airtight container at room temp and they’ll last about five days. They freeze great too if you want to save them longer. Just thaw before eating and you can warm them up in a low oven for a couple of minutes to freshen them up.
Swap Ideas
If bourbon’s not your thing, vanilla or almond extract works but the flavor won’t be as deep. Toffee chips can be swapped for butterscotch or chocolate chips for a new twist. Pecans swap out nicely for walnuts to change the nut flavor a bit.
Serving Tips
These cookies go great with cold milk or a hot cup of coffee for a nice afternoon snack. They’re also fab with dessert wine or topped with vanilla ice cream for a grown-up treat.
Making bourbon toffee cookies is a real joy. The warm bourbon smell mixing with sweet toffee always puts a smile on my face while baking. Once you try these, you might want to make them all the time.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → Why chill the dough before baking?
Chilling firms the dough so cookies don’t spread too much and also helps bring out better flavors.
- → Can I swap out the nuts?
Absolutely, you can switch pecans with almonds or walnuts if you like.
- → What does cream cheese do in the cookies?
It keeps things moist and adds a little tang, making the cookies soft and rich.
- → How do I know when the cookies are ready?
Bake them until the edges get a light golden color but the centers stay soft for the best results.
- → Is the bourbon flavor strong in the cookies?
The bourbon gives a mild heat and depth without taking over the sweet toffee and nutty hints.