Chewy Chocolate Toffee Cookies

Chocolate+Toffee= Need I say more?

 

Let me just say these are best straight from the oven so if you can bake them while your guests are eating dinner, it will knock their socks off!  I mean, they are unbelievably, wonderfully fantastic! You can freeze the the dough so they are easy to bake during your dinner party.  However, if you can't have them warm out of the oven, they are still delish.  Enjoy!

 

 1 cup (2 sticks) butter , softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 package of Heath milk chocolate toffee bits

 Cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Add eggs and mix well.

 Slowly stir in flour, cocoa and baking soda. Mix just until well combined.

 Have your tiny helper pour in the toffee and fold it into the dough.

 Scoop dough onto silpat or parchment lined baking sheets.

Freeze, or...
Bake at 375 for 6-8.
If freezing, bake directly from freezer for about 2 minutes longer.

 

Recipe adapted from Jenny Steffens Hobick.

 

 



Cupcake Favors: A Tutorial

It's no surprise this gal LOVES a good cupcake.  I have made it one of my missions in life to perfect a made-from-scratch recipe {this part is still in progress}s.  However, I have been known to create some cakes for birthdays, banquets, clubs at school, faculty meetings, parties, the list goes on. 

A few weeks ago the softball team I coach was taking a road trip to Lawrence to play Lawrence High.  I own several cupcake carriers, but I thought it would be fun to give each of the girls their own individually wrapped cupcake.  It was a hit!  See how I did it...

 Choose your favorite cake and bake.

 Once your cupcakes have cooled, place them in a clear plastic cup.

 Now frost your cupcakes.  Don't do this first because it will be harder to get your cakes inside the cups.  It's always good to add some sprinkles!

 Place the plastic cup in a clear favor bag. (I bought mine at Wal-Mart, but you can find them at any craft store.)

 Tie a ribbon around the top and viola, done!

Here's the classy part.  I like to "borrow" the boxes left in the copy room at work.  Then I can use them to carry all my cupcakes.  They won't get smashed.  They are so tight in the cups that they won't shift in the car.  It's perfection, cheap and easy.