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By the time you read this,Lord willing, we'll be back on good old USA soil after a two week visit to London. We're actually winging our way through clear blue skies, miles above the Atlantic Ocean, as I write.
It was a wonderful visit with family and we definitely learned all about quintessential London winters. Cold .... wet.... miserable. Our daughter Cait, who's lived in the UK for almost four years now, has often shared with us how damp, cloudy and bone-chillingly cold the winters can be. Don't tell her, but a teeny part of us didn't believe it, not because she isn't extremely trustworthy, but because the weather's been so lovely every time we've visited England (several times a year since she moved).
We've fallen in love with London over the past few years, a bustling and vibrant melting pot of a city with eight million people, fascinating cultures and a rich history. We've enjoyed riding the famous double decker buses, admiring the charming 17th and 18th century architecture, strolling along the meandering River Thames and taking the children on outings to the lovely green parks that are scattered generously throughout the city. We're always amazed at the abundance of beautiful flowers, verdant plants and vines that seem to spill from every nook and cranny, making me wonder, "Does everyone in England have a green thumb?"
Then there's the royalty. In additional to the Queen and all of her entourage, many other things in London are quite "royal"; there's the Royal Post, numerous royal hospitals, the various royal boroughs, royal colleges, royal ballet companies, museums, opera houses, icing and ............... are you ready? Even a royal circus! So fun and quite a contrast from life on our side of the Atlantic.
All this said, we did experience a very different side of London during this visit. Our travels to England in the past have, for the most part, been in the spring and fall which skewed our perspective just a bit. Well, maybe quite a bit. The lovely, clear blue skies and mild temperatures that we've experienced in the past, are NOT the norm in London's winter months. This time there was day after day of blustery wind, heavy rain and chilly temperatures. Hats, mittens, down jackets and umbrellas were all a must.
But time with family made the overall experience warm and fun. When there were a few days with periods of sunshine, we spent as much time as possible outdoors, gulping in the intoxicatingly clear, dry air. Scott was even able to pull out the camera and capture a bit of the glory. In between, we either donned our rain gear and braced the elements, or snuggled inside, listening to the rain pelting on the roof and enjoying family and a warm, dry home.
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When (and if) the weather is pretty, we love strolling along the Thames |
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The architecture of the buildings along the Thames is breathtaking! |
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See what I mean? When it's pretty, it's REALLY pretty (and when it's not, it's miserable!) |
Did you know that cookies are a wonderful anecdote to gloomy weather? It's true,; 🙂 you can mix up a batch in no time flat, kids love to help and when the wonderful aroma begins to waft through the house, it's easy to forget even a wet cold London day.
I'm always a huge sucker for a great new chocolate chip cookie recipe. When I saw these5-Star Chocolate Chip Cookieson theLand O' Lakeswebsite and read all of the rave reviews, I couldn't resist "giving them a go"- as my grand-girls say.
And they didn't disappoint, they were a big hit with everyone who tried them.
Oh, and we have a new taste-tester. Scott and I got to keep little Luke for a few days while mommy, daddy and the older children got away on a little adventure. Luke has graduated from baby to toddler and it was fun to have lots of one-on-one time with him. He kept us laughing and also kept us quite busy as he's into everything these days (and can climb four sets of steps faster than you can say "jack be nimble"). After he ate his yogurt, he loved trying a sample of the cookies. Although he's not talking yet, I think Luke's expressions will tell you everything you need to know ............
5-Star Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies
Adapted by Chris Scheuer from Land of Lakes
These are fabulous and definitely deserve the 5-star moniker!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 hours hrs 4 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs 4 minutes mins
Course Cookies, Dessert
CALORIES
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 1 ¼ cups firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
- 8 ounce package toffee bits, I used Heath Bits'o Brickle
Instructions
Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookies sheets with parchment paper, if desired, for easy clean-up. If you're not using parchment paper, sheet pans do not need to be greased.
Combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla in bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy.
Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; beat at low speed until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips and toffee bits.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto prepared sheet pans. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack.
Notes
~ This makes a huge batch of cookie. You can cut the recipe in half but they do freeze well They also make wonderful treats to give to friends, neighbors, teachers, etc.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Grace White says
I made these cookies in the summer and they were delicious. I’m making them for a Christmas party this weekend and would like to make the dough tonight (Wednesday) and wait to make the cookies on Saturday. Can refrigerate it until Saturday or should it freeze it? And if I freeze it can I divide it into half and freeze it instead of making the cookies balls and freezing them?
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Chris Scheuer says
Hi Grace, sorry to be late in replying. You could refrigerate the dough for 2-3 days. if you freeze it, it's best to make the balls as they can go right into the oven.
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Meri Jo Tepe says
Oh wow! Spectacular favor and texture. The dough is easy to work with. Followed recipe as listed. Will be making these again.
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Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Awesome! Thanks for your review, Meri Jo!
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Sweetbites says
Best chocolate chip cookies. I did not have toffee bites and it turned out excellent. Crisp at the outside and chewy at the inside. Thank you Chris for your delicious recipes.
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Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much for sharing your results! 💕
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Lorraine says
See AlsoTop 20 Cookie RecipesHi from Australia love to make your cookies we don't have chip toffee any suggestions for a replacement love to here soon
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Chris Scheuer says
If you have any kind of crunchy toffee bars in Australia, you could just crush them and use them in lieu of the toffee bits.
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Suzanne says
Your Granson loved those. Cookies, I can tell. The bigger the circle if mushed food on a baby's face, the more they enjoyed it, lol! I'm making these cookies for a gathering. Can't wait ti sample them myself! Thank you for posting this recipe!
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Chris Scheuer says
Haha! So true! I hope you and your friends enjoy them as much as he did 🙂
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Kmt says
deeeelish!!
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linda says
I have made these twice, very tasty, but so hard. What am i doing wrong.?
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Chris Scheuer says
I'm not sure, did you try baking them a little less time?
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Lenia says
They are awesome!I am gonna make them!
Have a lovely week,dear!Reply
Veronica Miller says
OK, Luke pretty much stole the blog for me. I was all excited about the cookies until I saw him. Adorable!! He looks so much like his sisters. 🙂 And I was gifted that same bib he's wearing - I'm sure I'll love it! Back to the cookies, I'm sure I'll love them too! 🙂
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BMG13 says
I am excited about trying out this recipe and have all of the ingredients. You mentioned they freeze well. Perhaps this is a silly question... were you referring to the dough or actual baked cookie? 4 1/2 dozen cookies will not be kind to my waistline and Zumba workouts(I have poor self control with cookies)
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BMG13 says
I saw that you suggested freezing some...perhaps this is a dumb question...freezing the dough or the actual baked cookie? I am excited about trying this recipe out because I have all of the ingredients. The 4 1/2 dozen cookies though will be a killer to my waistline and Zumba workouts 🙁
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Chris Scheuer says
HI, I just happened to be at my computer when your question came in. You can actually do either one. If you want to freeze them, unbaked, go ahead and scoop the dough into balls. Freeze them on a pan for about an hour or until fairly well frozen, then just throw the balls in an airtight container or zippered bag. When you want to bake the frozen dough balls, remove them from freezer to a cookie sheet and let them thaw for 30 minutes or so. Bake as directed in the recipe though it might take a bit longer since they're starting out cold.
If you bake them all at one time, just let them cool, then place in a airtight container or zippered bag. Hope that helps 🙂 Have fun!Reply
BMG13 says
Awesome timing!!! Thank you for the great advice. I think I am going to do just what you said and freeze the formed cookie dough. I am even more excited at the idea of having cookies later without having to do all of the work:)
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Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
Such a wonderful visit even if the weather had been miserable! Luke is absolutely adorable. The cookies look amazing and I will have to make some for the kids! I hope you make it home safe and sound!
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Liz Berg says
Luke is getting SO big...and what a gorgeous smile! I'd be smiling too once I got one of your cookies in my hot little hands. I guess I'll have to bake myself up a batch 🙂 Glad you're home, my friend!
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Sandra Lee says
I kid you not, just 10 minutes ago I was staring at the bags of chocolate chips that didn't get used over the holiday wondering what to do with them. I'm pretty sure my family will enjoy these as much as your precious little Luke!
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Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Welcome back and happy New Year! Hope you are unpacked and settled back in. I'm sure you're getting some of this lovely weather too. Great photos and interesting info about London. I've never been but we're thinking about a trip in the fall. So many places to see it's hard to decide! Take care and love the cookies and the grandson - he is adorable!
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Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Yes I think your taste tester gave them 5 stars too! What a cutie. I can't believe how big he is already. Hope you made it hope safely.
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