Toffee Shortbread Cookies: Easy, Festive, and Oh-So-Impressive!
Holiday baking doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive! These Toffee Shortbread Cookies are a lifesaver for last-minute Christmas treats—or anytime you need a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert. They’re buttery, crumbly, and packed with sweet, crunchy toffee. Best of all? They’re ready to bake in 5 minutes and don’t even require chilling time.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand or stand mixer (or a wooden spoon if you’re feeling old-school)
- Cookie cutters (optional)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened (salted or unsalted, your preference) 🧈
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar 🍬
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 🍨
- 2 cups all-purpose flour fluffed
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon optional, for a warm holiday touch 🌟
- 1 1/2 cups toffee pieces like Heath, with or without chocolate coating 🍫
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven
- Set your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
- Add Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the fluffed flour and cinnamon (if using) to the butter mixture. Mix until the dough comes together—it will be soft and slightly crumbly.
- Fold in Toffee Pieces
- Gently fold in the toffee pieces, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape Your Cookies
- Roll & Cut: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create shapes.
- Slice & Bake: Roll the dough into a log, wrap it in plastic, and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
- Bake
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them. Bake for 11-15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Cool & Serve
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Toffee Shortbread
Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is soft but not melted for the best dough consistency.
Toffee Pieces: Heath’s toffee bits are a great choice, but you can also chop up toffee bars if needed.
Don’t Overbake: Shortbread should be tender and pale, so keep a close eye to avoid browning.
Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is soft but not melted for the best dough consistency.
Toffee Pieces: Heath’s toffee bits are a great choice, but you can also chop up toffee bars if needed.
Don’t Overbake: Shortbread should be tender and pale, so keep a close eye to avoid browning.