chocolate

Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

Posted by on Jan 22, 2025 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | 0 comments

Why have a candy bar when you can have a chewy, luxurious treat that’s filled with candy bar pieces? These Toffee Blondies are a glorious combination of textures and sweetness.

Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

If you can find it, use an 8 ounce bag of Heath Bits that include chocolate. All is not lost if that is unavailable, though. You can chop up normal Heath Bars, or use an all-toffee bag and add separate chocolate.

Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

The result is a thick, chewy bar with crunchy little bits of toffee and pockets of chocolate. These things keep for days, too.

Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

Bready or Not Original: Toffee Blondies

These are like big, chewy candy bars! If you can’t find the Heath bag that includes chocolate, you can buy candy bars and chop them up, or use the toffee bits and supplement with extra chocolate.
Course: Dessert
Keyword: bars, chocolate, cookies
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • 9×13 pan
  • aluminum foil
  • nonstick spray

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces Heath Bits with Chocolate

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
  • In a bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat the butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in about 2/3 of the Heath Bits.
  • Scoop the thick batter into the prepared pan and level out with an uneven spatula. Sprinkle the rest of the Heath pieces over the top.
  • Bake for 24 to 27 minutes. Middle should be set and pass the toothpick test. Cool to room temperature, speeding the process in the fridge if desired.
  • Use the foil to lift onto cutting board to slice into bars. Store in a sealed container at room temperature. They will keep for up to 3 days.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Raspberry-Almond-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

    Posted by on Dec 25, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Raspberry-Almond-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

    Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate, and warm wishes to visitors of any or no faith!

    Bready or Not Original: Raspberry-Almond-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

    The name for these cookies is a mouthful, but that list of ingredients lets everyone know that these aren’t standard Oatmeal Cookies. No, these Raspberry-Almond-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies are loaded with flavors and textures with nary a raisin in sight.

    Bready or Not Original: Raspberry-Almond-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

    The chocolate is optional here, but I really do love that chocolate-raspberry combo. It adds some oomph (and results in a few more cookies). Only use mini chips, though, or you’ll likely have cohesion issues.

    Bready or Not Original: Raspberry-Almond-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

    These are a special variant on standard oatmeal cookies. The frozen raspberries add a lovely punch of flavor. The optional mini chocolate chips (and only use mini-size here) add a great flavor contrast. Makes about 44 cookies without the mini chocolate chips, 48 with.
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: chocolate, cookies, oats, raspberries
    Servings: 44 cookies
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • parchment paper
    • kitchen shears
    • small cookie scoop or teaspoon

    Ingredients

    • 3/4 cups frozen raspberries unthawed
    • 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1/4 cup almond butter room temperature
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
    • 1/4 cup white sugar
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
    • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
    • 1/4 cup pepitas
    • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips optional but awesome

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Use kitchen shears to gently shatter apart the frozen raspberries into a measuring cup. Set cup in freezer again as the rest of the dough is formed.
    • In a large bowl, beat together butter, almond butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Follow up with flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in oats and pepitas until combined.
    • If using, fold in the mini chocolate chips. Gently fold in frozen raspberries until evenly dispersed in the dough. Note that if an excess of raspberry bits are left until the end, the dough will be especially wet and harder to work with.
    • Use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon to form balls about 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake until cookies are set, 9 to 10 minutes. Chill remaining dough while a batch bakes.
    • Allow cookies to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

      Posted by on Dec 11, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

      I’ve shared a sequence of Peppermint Bark Cookies, but this one is my favorite: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies.

      Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

      The base “Chewy Honey” recipe here will be a familiar one to regulars on Bready or Not–or if you’ve met me at a convention at some point in about the past 10 years and had my Maple or Snickerdoodle versions. This new version is modified to incorporate lots of chopped peppermint bark candy.

      Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

      As with the similar recipes, the quality of the peppermint bark will not only make a difference in taste but also the prettiness.

      Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

      As with the other recipes in my “Chewy Honey” collection, these baked cookies will keep for weeks in a sealed container. That makes them great to mail as a holiday gift, but of course, be wary if you’re sending them to or from a warm destination. In an infernal place like Arizona (which I am so glad to be away from), it can still be hot, even into December!

      Bready or Not Original: Chewy Honey Peppermint Bark Cookies

      These cookies are soft, sweet, and delicious. Using higher quality peppermint bark will result in tastier, prettier cookies. Note that the dough needs to be chilled prior to baking.
      Course: Dessert, Snack
      Keyword: chocolate, cookies, mint
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • cookie scoop or spoon
      • parchment paper

      Ingredients

      • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
      • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
      • 1/2 cup white sugar
      • 2 Tablespoons honey
      • 1 large egg room temperature
      • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
      • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
      • 1 cup bread flour
      • 1 cup all-purpose flour
      • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
      • 1 teaspoon baking soda
      • 1/2 teaspoon salt
      • 1 1/2 cups peppermint bark chopped
      • more peppermint bark pieces for topping

      Instructions

      • In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth. Add both sugars and honey; beat until creamy and fluffy. Scrape down sides of bowl, then mix in the egg and both extracts.
      • In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: bread flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Sift together.
      • Slowly stir together the wet ingredients and flour mix until just combined. Fold in the peppermint bark. Encase dough in plastic wrap and stash in the fridge for several hours or days; dough can also be frozen at this stage.
      • When ready to bake, preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Place parchment paper on cookie sheet. Use a teaspoon or tablespoon to space out cookies on the pan. Press additional peppermint bark pieces into the tops of the dough balls.
      • Small cookies bake 9 to 12 minutes; larger cookies bake in 11 to 13 minutes. Once removed from the oven, let set on baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
      • Stored cookies will keep in a sealed container for weeks. They are excellent for travel or shipping.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

        Posted by on Dec 4, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies, mint | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

        Last week, I posted a Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine. This week, I share a reworked version of the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies I’ve made for about two decades. This White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe includes white chocolate melted into the dough, resulting in a smooth, sweet cookie that gets only better with the addition of peppermint bark.

        Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

        A whole bag of white chocolate chips is included in this recipe. A cup is melted for the dough; the rest is added as chips, right along with the coarsely chopped peppermint bark.

        Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

        These cookies are incredible. I preferred them over last week’s take, though both are excellent.

        Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

        Modified from Bready or Not: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.

        Bready or Not Original: White Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Cookies

        Melted white chocolate chips make this dough especially smooth and sweet, the resulting cookie crisp, chewy, and soft all at once. Use a pretty peppermint bark to make this especially pleasing to the eye. Modified from Bready or Not’s White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.
        Course: Dessert, Snack
        Keyword: chocolate, cookies, mint
        Servings: 34 cookies
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • microwave-safe small bowl
        • cookie scoop or spoon

        Ingredients

        • 10 ounces white chocolate chips divided
        • 2/3 cup white sugar
        • 11 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
        • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
        • 2 large eggs room temperature
        • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1 teaspoon baking soda
        • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
        • 2 cups peppermint bark coarsely chopped, divided (about 12 ounces)

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 1 cup of white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power in short increments, 20-25 seconds, and stop to stir between passes until the chips blend smoothly; take care, as it can burn fast! Set aside to cool.
        • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, butter, vanilla, and eggs until they are creamy. Mix in the melted chips. Stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold in the remaining chips and 1 cup of peppermint bark.
        • Use a tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon to place dough in rounded lumps on cookie sheet. Using the reserved stash of peppermint bark, press a few pieces onto the top of each dough ball. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops just begin to turn light golden brown. Immediately add a few more pieces of peppermint bark onto the top of each cookie. Cool on the sheet for several minutes, then move to a rack to set for about 3 hours; this process can be speeded up by briefly placing cookies in the fridge.
        • Store in a sealed container at room temperature. Best eaten within 5 days.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

          Posted by on Nov 27, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies, mint | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

          This Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe, modified from a holiday Bake from Scratch issue, is the first in a small series of such experiments.

          Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

          One thing I’ll say straight up: peppermint bark can be expensive, and this recipe will look much prettier with nicer bark. I used cheap Palmer Peppermint Bark from Dollar Tree for this recipe, and it doesn’t look as nice as my other experiments.

          Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

          That said, the cheap stuff can still make tasty cookies. These morsels are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate and peppermint flavor. They make for a great holiday treat. If you want to make them year-round, stock up on peppermint bark while you can get it–if you’re lucky, score some on clearance right after Christmas.

          Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

          Bready or Not: Peppermint Bark Cookies

          These chewy cookies are imbued with chocolate and peppermint. Note that the dough needs to be chilled for at least a few hours prior to baking. Modified from Bake from Scratch November/December 2023.
          Course: Dessert, Snack
          Keyword: chocolate, cookies, mint
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • plastic wrap
          • parchment paper
          • large cookie scoop

          Ingredients

          • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
          • 3/4 cup white sugar
          • 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
          • 2 large eggs room temperature
          • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
          • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
          • 1 teaspoon baking powder
          • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
          • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
          • 10 ounces peppermint bark chopped, divided
          • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
          • flaked sea salt for topping optional

          Instructions

          • In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars until they are light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla.
          • In another bowl, combined the flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, beating until just combined. Measure out 1 cup of the peppermint bark and add that to the dough, folding it in. Add the chocolate chips and fold in.
          • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and stash in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days.
          • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.
          • Use cookie scoop to dole out dough, spaced out, on cookie sheet.
          • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies are set and turning golden brown. Immediately press a piece or two of the reserved peppermint bark onto each round. Add a small pinch of flaked sea salt to each, if desired. Let set until bark pieces solidify, then transfer to a cooling rack.
          • Store cookies in a sealed container up to 4 days.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

            Posted by on Oct 30, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

            This recipe for a Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies makes it easy to get two kinds of cookies in one batch. It makes about 90 total cookies!

            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

            One thing to keep in mind: there is such a huge quantity of dough, stirring it can be tricky. Use your biggest bowl. I did a lot of the mixing in my KitchenAid, then had to finish stirring my hand.

            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

            The foundation of this recipe is a classic sugar cookie. Soft, sweet, and crumbly. That base is fantastic with additional chocolate. Do note that mini chips are a must here, because the dough is so crumbly.

            Bready or Not Original: Big Batch Sugar Cookies and Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

            Split this big batch of dough to get both sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies. Note that mini chocolate chips are a must, as the dough is crumbly. Give the dough time to chill, or freeze it to make even later. Makes about 90 total cookies.
            Course: Dessert, Snack
            Cuisine: American
            Keyword: chocolate, cookies
            Servings: 90 cookies
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • cookie scoop or spoon
            • food scale

            Ingredients

            • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
            • 1 cup vegetable oil
            • 1 cup white sugar
            • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
            • 2 large eggs room temperature
            • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
            • 4 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
            • 1 teaspoon baking soda
            • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
            • 1 cup mini chocolate chips

            Instructions

            • In a large bowl, beat together the butter, oil, and sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the wet. This will be a lot of dough; if an electric mixer was being used, it may be necessary to switch to stirring by hand.
            • Use a food scale to divide the dough in half. Place one half back in the bowl. Remove a small handful, transferring that to the other portion. Add the mini chocolate chips to the bowl and stir to combine.
            • Wrap each portion of dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Freeze if it needs to be baked beyond that time frame.
            • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
            • Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough. The chocolate chip kind will need to be compressed slightly to make it cohesive.
            • Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until cookies are set and tinted golden. Set on a rack to cool, and then place in sealed containers at room temperature.

            OM NOM NOM!

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