This easy toffee shortbread cookie recipe is loaded with Heath Bar or Skor toffee bits, and more. It's a melt in your mouth shortbread cookie recipe that everyone loves.
This recipe is called easy toffee shortbread for a reason. This is also the best Heath bar cookie recipe out there.
This shortbread cookie recipe with Heath bars is a very basic dough recipe. Unlike many shortbread recipes, there is no need to refrigerate the dough prior to baking.
These cookies are a blast to make. You can be so creative with all of the goodies you can add to the dough and the toppings! So many options. So little time.
While they are delicious if you bake them plain, with nothing else, they are even better when you add treats to them! So allow your creativity to run wild!
Love baking cookies? You've got to try these dulce de leche cookies and these cracked chocolate fudge cookies.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- A thick, soft, rich, and melt in your mouth toffee shortbread cookie.
- All you need are a handful of ingredients to make.
- Easy to bake cookies.
Ingredients You Need
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. See the recipe card at the end of the post for the full ingredient list along with amounts.
- Flour: Use your favorite trusted flour for baking.
- Butter: It's not shortbread without buttery flavor. Use real butter for the BEST outcome.
- Powdered or icing sugar: This fine sugar gives the cookies their sweetness while maintaining their delicate texture.
- Vanilla: Use pure vanilla rather than imitation for best flavor.
- Toffee bits: You can use Heath bars, Skor bars, or buy crushed toffee bits.
Substitutions and Variations
- Optional Add-Ins: Chocolate, caramel or butterscotch chips, crushed peppermints or candy canes, candied pecans or walnuts, your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and some sprinkles or sparkles.
- Add Cocoa: Make chocolate shortbread instead by adding one-quarter cup of cocoa and reducing the amount of flour by one-quarter cup.
- Dip Them: Melt chocolate, caramel, or butterscotch chips in 15-second intervals in your microwave, stirring in between each interval until smooth. Then dip cookies and place on parchment until the coating is set. Add a few sprinkles or sparkles on top before the coating is dry to add color if desired.
- Add Cheese: Some grated cheddar, parmesan, gruyere, or gouda with some thyme, sage or rosemary makes a delightful savory shortbread.
- Make Shortbread Shapes: Roll out your shortbread dough until it is about one-half inch thick and use cookie cutters to cut out into shapes.
- Pistachios and Dried Cranberries - Perfect for the holidays I always add one-quarter cup of each.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this chocolate chip toffee cake.
How to Make Toffee Shortbread Cookies
This is an easy recipe to make, and you'll be done in no time. The highlights are below, but you'll find the full instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Combine the dry ingredients.
- Combine the butter, vanilla, and sugar and beat with a mixer until creamy and fluffy.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
- Then, add the toffee bits.
- Scoop out the dough and place on a cookie sheet. Flatten slightly.
- Cool the cookies on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Storage
- On the Counter: Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
- Freezer: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: These cookies are delicious from the first day to the last.
How to Serve Shortbread Cookies
These are the best Skor shortbread cookies you'll ever eat, and they're perfect with milk, a dalgona coffee, or your favorite hot tea. It's also excellent with a hot cocoa bomb or kahlua hot chocolate.
These cookies are excellent as part of a larger Christmas dessert spread. They also make a great addition to potluck dessert tables, as well.
Tips
- Be sure the butter is fully softened. It makes mixing easier and results in the best toffee shortbread cookie texture.
- Begin to check your cookies after about 10 minutes so you can remove them as soon as the edges start to brown. The cooking time may be shorter if you use cutouts or make smaller cookies.
- Always let your cookies cool on the cookie sheet first to allow for carry-over baking.
FAQ
They're a traditional Scottish cookie or biscuit made with sugar and butter and without a leavening agent. They are tender in texture with lots of buttery flavor.
When shortbread was created in the 16th century, it was expensive and reserved as a luxury. Therefore, it was reserved for celebrations such as weddings, christenings, and Christmas gatherings.
Toffee is a confection made by caramelizing sugar and butter.
More Toffee Dessert Recipes
Do you like Heath Bars? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
You have to take a peek at our video for Easy Toffee Shortbread! You will love how easy this recipe is!
Easy Toffee Shortbread Video
Easy Toffee Shortbread Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened , 2 sticks
- ⅔ cup powdered or icing sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup toffee bits Heath or Skor bars, crushed
Options, more or less to taste
- ¾ cup chocolate, caramel or butterscotch chips
- ¼-½ cup peppermints or candy canes crushed
- ¼-½ cup candied pecans crushed or chopped
- ¼-½ your favorite nuts crushed or chopped
- ½ cup chocolate or butterscotch chips, melted Once cool you can dip the cookies into the melted chocolate and top with any additional toppings as you like. Let cookies cool completely on a cooling rack until the chocolate is set.
- ¼ cup sprinkles or sparkles sprinkled on top or mixed in before baking
Cranberry and Pistachio Shortbread
- ¼-⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ¼-⅓ cup pistachios shelled, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with butter, parchment paper or cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl combine the flour, cornstarch and salt, set aside.
- Make sure the butter is room temperature and soft. Grab a medium bowl and cream the butter, vanilla and icing or powdered sugar together until smooth and fluffy. I usually use a handheld mixer to do this on a low to medium speed.
- Gradually blend in the flour mixture. This will gradually come together as a dough. As it thickens I grab a spoon to finish it off.
- Then stir in the Heath or Skor Toffee Bits or whatever option you have decided to use instead.
- Scoop dough into 1 ½ to 2 inch rounds. Flatten cookies slightly to between ½ to ¾ of an inch thick.
- Place cookies about 1 ½ inches apart. Bake for about 20 minutes,or until the edges are just starting to brown. This recipe makes produces around 14 big cookies start checking your cookies at about 10 minutes and watch for the cookies to start to brown around the edges. Allow cookies to cool for at least five minutes before moving them on to wire racks.
Notes
- Be sure the butter is fully softened. It makes mixing easier and results in the best toffee shortbread cookie texture.
- Begin to check your cookies after about 10 minutes so you can remove them as soon as the edges start to brown.
- Always let your cookies cool on the cookie sheet first to allow for carry-over baking.
Nutrition
This post was originally published March 2018. It has been updated with new images and content.
Phyllis says
I was looking for a Christmas cookie recipe using toffee bits and there is is in my email. I bake for family and friends and they are going to love these. Thank you for all your great recipes.
Karin and Ken says
These cookies are a personal favorite. I hope you enjoy them as much as we all do. Have a wonderful holiday and thank you for your kind words. I try my best. Take care. Karin
Brenda says
I made these cookies with sea salt caramel chipits (that's all I had). I gave the cookies to a few friends as a care package. They really loved them. l will make again. Thank you for sharing such a lovely recipe!
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome. I try my best. Take care. Karin
tom says
Totally delicious and I ate too many. My new favorite shortbread recipe and I love the toffee bits. TFS
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I love this toffee shortbread too. Glad I'm not the only one! Take care and enjoy the rest of your day. Karin
josie says
Popular cookie. Made some for church bake sale and now your recipe is being added to our church newsletter. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Karin and Ken says
I am so happy you're sharing this recipe with your members of your church! Hopefully they all enjoy this recipe as much as we do! All the best and thank you for taking the time to let me know. Karin
Judy says
Delicious cookie. My husband and I ate most of them before company showed up. Next time I need to make more and will. Thx for the great recipe.
Karin and Ken says
Remember that they freeze beautifully so if you make too many you can always store some in your freezer! For what it's worth my husband and I have done similar things as well. Sometimes you just can't stop eating certain foods! We all have our moments! Take care and enjoy the rest of your day! Karin
ollie says
The perfect shortbread cookie. Love using toffee bits. So smooth and melt in your mouth good. You need to try this cookie.
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for all of your kind words. I could not agree with you more. Again, thank you for taking the time to comment. You made my day! All the best. Karin
edward says
Love these. Next time making a double batch. You shuld too. These cookies are so good.
Karin and Ken says
I usually make a double batch myself and they freeze beautifully. I just can't help it! Great minds think alike! ? Take care. Karin
stevie says
Excellent cookie. Will definitely make again. Thx
Karin and Ken says
Happy to hear it! You made my day! I love these cookies too and wish I made them more than I do! Take care and be well. Karin