This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
These bakery-style, One Bowl Toffee Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies are super-easy, crazy-delicious and don't require a mixer.
Too good to be true? Nope, in fact, the recipe is yours for the baking today - you can throw them together almost as fast as you can say, One Bowl Toffee Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Does life sometimes get just too busy to bake? Too busy to spend time much in the kitchen? I totally get it. We've had a crazy, non-stop (but, at the same time, very fun) summer, with family arriving from London, a trip to Minneapolis, trying to staying connected with church, family and friends, keeping up the garden and a wonderful, endless stream of grandchildren coming and going every time we turn around.
Honestly, it seems that life is speeding up instead of slowing down. Do you ever feel that way? Or maybe it's just me slowing down and therefore everything else seems like it's going in fast motion. Hmmm, not sure...
Anyway, I find myself needing more quick, easy recipes that can be squeezed into this fast-paced lifestyle. Recipes that don't make a big mess or use lots of dishes and equipment that will need to be cleaned. Of course, it goes without saying that these recipes must have wonderfully delicious results. Recipes like that are few and far between, but I'm happy to say these cookies check all the boxes!
It took a while to get this One Bowl Toffee Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe right, but it's ready now and I think you're going to love it. After trying a number of unsuccessful versions, I wasn't expecting much when I took the first bite of this batch. I was immediately shocked - they were so delicious! I said to Scott, "Oh my gosh, I think I've found the cookie of my dreams!". I handed him a plate with one large, slightly warm cookie and a tall glass of cold milk. He too was quite smitten and agreed with my assessment.
The cookie dough is easily stirred together with one bowl and a wooden spoon, or sturdy spatula, in less than 10 minutes. That means in way less than an hour you can go from, "old Mother Hubbard" to a full cookie jar - delicious cookies with crisp, buttery edges, moist chewy centers, all chocked full of crushed toffee bars and chocolate chips.
Do these One Bowl Toffee Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies pass the "kid test"?
Because these cookies are so easy to make, they're perfect for a children's baking project. Scott and I started a new tradition this year with our grandchildren. Each one of our older grandchildren spend a few days with Grammy and Papa Scott, on their own.
Since there are four children (in our daughter's family), this individual, one-on-one attention is quite special. Last week, it was Elle, our eight-year-old's turn and we had lots of fun; taking a jewelry-making class, going thrift shopping, swimming, watching movies, eating special dinners and just hanging out together.
Having her with us made me, once again, realize how short life is. It seems like yesterday she was five years old and now she's becoming a young lady, yikes!
One afternoon, I let her try out this One Bowl Toffee Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe - she had the dough put together in the blink of an eye.
Well okay, maybe the fingernails gave her a bit of an advantage...
You've heard of a green thumb, right? How about a flour arm?
You can buy toffee bits at most larger grocery stores in the chocolate chip section, but I prefer to purchase toffee candy bars (Skor, Daim or Heath) and cut them up with a sharp knife for nice big, crunchy chunks of toffee. If you're in a huge rush (as I often am), the toffee bits will be just as delicious.
If they last, the cookies will keep nicely stored at room temperature in an airtight container. They also can be made in advance and stashed in the freezer. Just take them out several hours ahead of time and allow them to completely thaw.
Pick up some toffee bars and chocolate chips next time you're at the market. You probably have everything else you need for these wonderful One Bowl Toffee Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies. Don't be surprised if family, friends, co-workers, etc. think you stopped at a fine bakery. I won't tell; it can be our little one-bowl, no-mixer, super-easy, crazy-delicious secret!
After the flour is completely incorporated, the dough should easily form a ball and leave the sides of the bowl. If it's runny and doesn't form a ball, add a bit more flour.
Café Tips for making these One Bowl Toffee Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies...
- Don't let the butter completely melt. Start with cold butter right from the refrigerator. Give it 20-30 seconds in the microwave on high power. It should be soft and starting to melt like shown in the picture above. If you let the butter get completely melted, the cookie dough will be runny and the cookies will be flat and thin.
- An ice cream scoop is perfect for making uniform size and shape cookies. I like the scoops with a trigger release. I have them in all different sizes for cookie making. They also work great for meatballs.
- After the flour is completely incorporated, the dough should easily form a ball and leave the sides of the bowl. If it's runny and doesn't form a ball, add a bit more flour. See picture above in the post.
- This recipe is easily adapted. Don't like toffee? Add something you like - M&M's, dried cherries, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, peanut butter chips.... The sky and your imagination are the only limits!
Here are a few things I used to make these cookies:
- 10 tablespoons salted butter 142g
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 egg yolks from large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 toffee bars 1.4 ounces each, (like Heath, Daim or Skor bars)
-
Preheat oven to 325˚F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Unwrap toffee bars and, with a sharp knife, cut them into bite size pieces. Set aside.
-
Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl (2 quart size is perfect. I use this one almost daily). Microwave on high power for 20-30 seconds or until butter is starting to melt and has become soft. Don’t let it melt completely, as the dough will be runny and the cookies will not have a good texture. (see picture in post)
-
Add sugars and mix with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until smooth and all brown sugar lumps are dissolved. Add vanilla and egg yolks, then stir again until smooth.
-
Add the flour and sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the top. Stir just until all flour mixture is incorporated and dough pulls away from sides of bowl. See “Tips” at the end of the post and picture in post.
-
Add ½ cup of the chocolate chips and half of the toffee bits. Stir to combine. Reserve remaining chocolate chips and toffee bits.
-
Scoop up dough with a spoon or an ice cream scooper of your choice and place on prepared sheet pan. Leave 1 ½-2 inches between each cookie. I like fairly large cookies and use a 2-inch ice cream scoop with a 3 tablespoon capacity.* Press a few of the reserved toffee pieces and chocolate chips onto the top and sides of each dough scoop for a pretty look. (If you’re in a hurry, just add all the chips and toffee pieces into the dough in step 5.)
-
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are light golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Leah CCS says
Do you have a conversion for using unsalted butter and salt?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Leah, salted butter has about 1/4 teaspoon salt per stick (per 4 ounces).
Donna says
Just wondering how many bars you used in this recipe as the amount seems to be quite a bit?..41.4 oz?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Donna,
It's 4 of the 1.4-ounce bars. I clarified that in the recipe. Thanks for asking.
Donna says
Thanks so much Chris...can't wait to make them.
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy!! 🙂
Dawn says
Hi Chris, thank you for yet another wonderful recipe! To be honest, I wasn't expecting to like these cookies, but was intrigued with their simplicity. I should have known better - you've never once steered me wrong. They were PERFECT! Along with your Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal cookies, I have to say they're now one of my top five faves! Absolutely delicious - thank you for sharing!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Dawn, so happy you enjoyed them as much as we do! My daughter in law says, after making these cookies, she'll never go back to the old fashioned kind, getting out the mixer and all the fuss 🙂
Sandra says
Chopping up Heath bars sounds like a much better idea and I think I should have my nails down the same way when I bake these.
Jenna says
Uh oh Chris, these sound dangerously easy!! Love the fingernails on your flour armed helper!
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
You've outdone yourself with these cookies, Chris! They look absolutely sublime!
Sara says
These cookies look amazing and Elle is such a cutie!
Katherine | Omnivore's Cookbook says
Can't wait to have this as a family activity on weekend! As in the kids make and I eat!
Liz says
Elle is just precious! I know she'll treasure the memories you've helped create together. And these cookies??? Could be my favorite chocolate chip cookies ever. I can never resist toffee!!!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
These look perfectly delicious, Chris, and your granddaughter is too cute for words! Already a fashionista, I see 🙂
Muna Kenny says
I have to make these cookies Chris, looks so yummy, but I don't have adorable helpers 🙁
cheri says
So nice that you spend individual time with each one, we started that 2 years ago with our grandkids and we have so much fun together. Love her little nails.
These cookies look very special, love that they are a one bowl wonder. They look delicious!!!
Elizabeth Glass says
Hello! These look wonderful! If we did go with the "bagged" toffee bits would you have a guess as to how much to use?
Thank you so much! I can't wait to make these! Elizabeth
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Elizabeth,
If I was using the bagged toffee bits, I'd use about 1 1/4 cups.
Elizabeth Glass says
Thank you so much! I did make these and they were WONDERFUL! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Yay!!! So happy had great results! My-daughter-in-law made them the day I posted the cookies, with her daughter. They loved them too. She said she did't think she'd ever make any other kind of cookies when these were so easy and so good. I tend to agree with her although I might have to venture away from this recipe since I do have a food blog 🙂
Debra Eliotseats says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to perfect this recipe and sharing it!!!!!
Debbie Baker says
I know when I'm on a winner when my husband snags his fourth cookie from the cooling rack. ????
He never gave them a chance to cool. These are very easy to make and are truly delicious. Looks like I will have to bake another batch tomorrow. They are going to be devoured in no time. Thank you for such a perfect recipe.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Debbie, so happy you (and your hubby) enjoyed them!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
A quick and fuss free cookie recipe. and not to mention that they look divine too! You have a cute sous chef with some fun finger nails and she surely had lots of fun baking with you!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
10 minutes to deliciousness - yes!!! These look amazing, Chris - adorable helpers you had - and those eyeballs on those nails on that "flour arm" are too cute!
Ginny Hartzler says
You always give such good tips! Like the butter one. They look delicious. Elle is just cute as a button. and what warm and wonderful memories she will have of baking with you. CRAZY FUN fingers!! I hope you did not find an eyeball in a cookie!
Chris Scheuer says
And you always leave the sweetest comments Ginny! I never thought about her loosing and eyeball 🙂 Hmmm, but maybe that's what makes them so tasty!
Jenn A says
Will be making these soon!
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy!
Melissa Shores says
Oh Elle Belle, how I miss you! I know you all had the BEST time. What a fun tradition to start. 🙂 Also, these cookies sound pretty amazing. I had a Skor bar on my trip home, and I imagine Skor bar COOKIES would be pretty fabulous.
Chris Scheuer says
She is such a bright ray of creative sunshine, isn't she Melissa?
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Heath Bars were my mom's favorite candy and so I grew up with them, these cookies looks amazing, i never thought to break up candybars and use them as chocolate chunks...brilliant!
Chris Scheuer says
I always told Scott, "If you're going to buy me a candy bar (which I seldom eat) buy me a Heath bar, but make it two!!"
Wendy says
These cookies look like you hit the jackpot, Chris! I love the NY Times choc chip cookie, but it takes forever to make and requires special flours. Your recipe produces gorgeous results with ingredients I always have handy! You know I will be making these soon! Now if I can just get a hold of some of those nails...... You consistently have the BEST kitchen help! 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
I do Wendy! I'm very blessed with all these cutie-pies!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I definitely think the fingernails are a big advantage! What a fun time with Elle and she is absolutely beautiful. The best sous chef ever 🙂 or head baker in this case! What a perfect cookie recipe Chris - you did it again! When I look at the photos I can almost smell them baking. Have a great weekend!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Tricia! We love them all! All four of our girls have been cooking with me since they were little - now the time is coming for our little guys too! I can't wait!
Monique says
Beautiful child!!♥ And nails..how cute are those?
Thanks for the great pics and todo recipe.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Monique! Each of our six are so uniquely, wonderfully different; in looks, temperament, skills - everything!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
So perfect! Love these one-bowl cookies 🙂 And those fingernails are awesome!!
Chris Scheuer says
Aren't they great Jennifer? Ellie had a ball with them!