The idea of recreating these Girl Scout Toffee-tastic cookies came to me on a quiet Saturday afternoon. As I sat, sipping on my tea and dreaming of those crunchy toffee bits enveloped in a rich, buttery embrace, a thought struck me. Why wait for Girl Scout Cookie season? Why not bring the joy of these cookies to life whenever the craving strikes?
Table of Contents
How to make Girl Scout Toffee Tastic Cookies
Girl Scout Toffee-tastic cookies are a gluten-free variety offered by the Girl Scouts during their annual cookie sales. These cookies are buttery, crispy, and filled with rich, crunchy toffee bits. They have a shortbread-like texture with a sweet, caramelized flavor from the toffee.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (For a gluten-free version, substitute with your preferred gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup toffee bits
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (or a strong arm and a whisk!)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
- Cooling rack
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing just until incorporated and a dough forms.
- Stir in Toffee Bits: Fold in the toffee bits, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart, as they will spread a bit during baking. Flatten the dough slightly with the back of the spoon or your fingers.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. The centers might look slightly undercooked, which is okay as they will continue to cook on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Cookies:
- Proper Measuring: Always spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife for an accurate amount.
- Chilling the Dough: If you have the time, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Keeping Watch: Since oven temperatures can vary, start checking your cookies at the lower end of the baking time range to ensure they don’t overbake.
- Storing: These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week and freeze beautifully.
What to serve with
Serving the right accompaniment with Girl Scout Toffee-tastic Cookies can enhance the enjoyment of these sweet treats.
Beverages:
- Milk: A classic pairing, the creaminess of a cold glass of milk complements the sweet crunch of the toffee.
- Coffee: The bitterness of coffee provides a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the Girl Scout Toffee-tastic Cookies. A hot espresso or a creamy latte pairs excellently with the caramel notes of the toffee.
- Tea: Black tea, with its robust flavor, or a sweet herbal tea, like chamomile or peppermint, can balance the sweetness while providing a soothing warmth.
- Hot Chocolate: Rich and chocolatey, hot chocolate with whipped cream on top can enhance the decadent experience, especially during colder months.
- Dessert Wines: For a grown-up indulgence, pair the Girl Scout Toffee-tastic Cookies with a dessert wine such as Port, Sauternes, or sweet Sherry. Their complex sweetness will tickle the palate.
Desserts:
- Ice Cream: Serve the cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or mix crumbled cookies into the ice cream for a toffee infusion.
- Fruit Salad: A bright, citrusy fruit salad with orange segments, strawberries, and grapes can cleanse the palate and make for a lighter dessert option.
- Cheesecake: The buttery crunch of the cookies can pair beautifully with a slice of creamy cheesecake, adding a textural contrast that’s sure to please.
- Pudding: A velvety chocolate or butterscotch pudding can complement the cookies—either served on the side or used as a spoon for an interactive dessert.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the cookies for those who prefer their desserts extra indulgent.
Snack Boards:
- Cheese Platter: A cheese board with a mix of hard and soft cheeses can balance the cookie’s sweetness. Consider cheeses like aged cheddar, Gouda, or Brie.
- Charcuterie Board: Include the cookies on a charcuterie board featuring various cured meats, nuts, and fruits for a savory and sweet combination that is perfect for social events.
- S’mores Kit: Give a creative twist on s’mores by using Toffee-tastic Cookies instead of graham crackers, pairing them with toasted marshmallows and a piece of chocolate.
- Trail Mix: Break the cookies apart and toss them into a homemade trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips for an on-the-go snack.
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating your homemade version of Girl Scout Toffee-tastic Cookies, especially when considering ingredient substitutes for dietary preferences or restrictions, requires careful selection to maintain the delightful flavor and texture that makes these cookies beloved.
Flour (Gluten-Free Baking)
The Toffee-tastic Cookies are known for being gluten-free, but if you’re making a similar recipe at home and need to switch out your flour:
Original Ingredient: Gluten-Free Flour Blend
Substitutes: You can make your blend using rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch in a ratio that suits your texture preferences. For a store-bought blend, look for one that includes xanthan gum, which helps mimic gluten’s elasticity.
Butter (Dairy-Free/Vegan Baking)
Butter gives these cookies their classic shortbread texture and rich flavor.
Original Ingredient: Unsalted Butter
Substitutes: For a dairy-free or vegan version, consider using coconut oil (for a slight coconut flavor) or vegan butter sticks designed for baking and used in a 1:1 ratio.
Sugar
Refined sugar adds sweetness and texture to the cookies.
Original Ingredient: White Granulated Sugar
Substitutes: For a more natural sweetener, try coconut sugar. It will darken the color of your cookies and add a slight caramel flavor, which could nicely complement the toffee bits.
Toffee Bits
The star ingredient that gives these cookies their unique flavor.
Original Ingredient: Store-Bought Toffee Bits
Substitutes: For a homemade or healthier alternative, consider making your toffee using almond butter, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Spread thin on a baking sheet, freeze, then break into small bits. Note: This will alter the texture but keep the toffee flavor.
Eggs (Vegan Baking)
Eggs add structure and moisture to the cookies.
Original Ingredient: Eggs
Substitutes: For a vegan substitute, use flaxseed eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg, set for 15 minutes) or chia eggs, which provide similar binding properties.
Vanilla Extract
Adds depth to the cookie’s flavor profile.
Original Ingredient: Vanilla Extract
Substitutes: If you’re out of vanilla, try almond extract, but use half the amount since its flavor is more potent. For a different angle, bourbon or rum can also work in a pinch, adding a deeper note.
Final Thoughts
Enjoy the process of creating these lovely cookies, and savor every toffee-packed bite reminiscent of the cherished Girl Scout Toffee-tastic cookies. Happy baking!
More Cookie Recipes:
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing just until incorporated and a dough forms.
- Stir in Toffee Bits: Fold in the toffee bits, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart, as they will spread a bit during baking. Flatten the dough slightly with the back of the spoon or your fingers.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. The centers might look slightly undercooked, which is okay as they will continue to cook on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
