Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies Dressed Up with Toffee Bits

Preview: These Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies are decorated with toffee bits, Skor, or Heath bar pieces. They make a delicious addition to your holiday cookie tray.

The wonderful lady who gave me this recipe called it “shortbread.” Is it really shortbread? No matter what you call it, you need this “fancy Nancy” type cookie for your next cookie tray.

The shape and chocolate dip will cause these cookies to stand out. Candy bar-lovers will be thrilled to find the pieces of Skor or Heath Bars sprinkled on the chocolate.

Heath Bar Shortbread Cookies with Toffee Bits on a cooling rackPin

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What is the definition of shortbread?

Traditionally, shortbread cookies have a ratio of 1 part sugar, 2 parts butter, and 3 parts flour (for a detailed explanation see this post on Kitchen Heals Soul). Salt and flavorings may be added.

In the case of this hand-me-down recipe, the ratios work out very close to the standard for shortbread

However, there is an aberration. 1 egg yolk has been added.

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Why add the egg yolk?

The egg yolk helps to hold the cookie together, making it less crumbly and sturdier than traditional shortbread.

a tower of chocolate-dipped short bread cookiesPin

This is important when making a cookie tray. Cookies are often jostled about before reaching their final destination.

Or maybe you want to mail your cookies. The egg yolk will help preserve them in transport. Traditional shortbread is not normally the best traveler.

Adding the egg white tends to make a more cake-like cookie. Adding an egg yolk might cause some people to argue it’s no longer shortbread. I’m calling it a “variation.”


What can I substitute for the chocolate-covered toffee bits?

First of all, you can leave them out completely. I do it often for a simple cookie everybody will enjoy. Delicious!

Mini chocolate chips are a good alternative to the toffee bits. Regular-size chocolate chips will spoil the appearance. Your cookies will look like they have “chocolate-pox” (related to chicken pox) when you try to flatten them with a glass before baking.

Toffee bits are sometimes sold without chocolate. Another good choice.

If you can’t find the “bits” (usually found in the same aisle as chocolate chips), buy some Chocolate Heath Bars or Skor candy bars. Chop them finely and you’re good to go.


How to shape Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies:

cookie dough with an ice cream dipper full of doughPin
Portion dough into tablespoon-sized balls.
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Portion raw dough into balls.
balls rolled into cylindersPin
Roll balls into cylinders with your flat hand.
using a glass to flatten cookiesPin
Use a drinking glass to flatten cylinder-shaped dough.
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Bake at 300 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. They will turn slightly brown on the edges. Offload to a cooling tray.
Dipping cookiesPin
Drag one end of the cookie through the melted chocolate. Then sprinkle with chocolate-covered toffee bits. Chill until chocolate is hard.

Kitchen Tip for coating Skor Shortbread Cookies:

If you use semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate to coat the ends of the cookies, it’s best to keep these cookies in the refrigerator.

If you use chocolate disks or squares made for coating, it’s not necessary to refrigerate once the chocolate firms up and dries.

Chocolate Heath Bar cookies in a muffin tinPin

Are you a cookie lover?

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If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately for a quick answer: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! 


stacked chocolate-dipped shortbread cookiesPin

Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookie Recipe

Paula Rhodes
Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies with Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits are simple shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate and decorated with more toffee bits.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Course Cookies
Cuisine American
Servings 3 dozen
Calories 141 kcal

Video

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter - 2 sticks
  • ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk - large
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 -1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk chocolate toffee bits + extra for garnish
  • Granulated sugar for flattening tops
  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bar or dark chocolate melting wafers - I like Ghiradelli

Instructions
 

  • Whip butter until light-colored and fluffy. Mix in sugar until dissolved. Add yolk and vanilla and continue to mix.
  • Add salt and flour. Mix until smooth. Carefully fold in milk chocolate toffee bits.
  • Use two spoons or a small ice cream trigger scoop (faster) to portion dough, then roll portions into cylinders. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
  • Bake in a 300˚F oven for 20-30 minutes or until brown on the edges.
  • Melt chocolate in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on MEDIUM. Stir until smooth. Swipe one end of cookies through the chocolate and sprinkle additional toffee bits on top (or not).

Notes

Store these in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate coating from getting too soft or use chocolate specifically formulated for dipping candies and cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 23mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g
Keyword recipes with toffee bits, shortbread cookies recipe, shortbread dipped in chocolate, toffee shortbread cookies recipes
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16 Comments

  1. Christy Gerald says:

    Hi,this is my first time here.U have loads of unbelievably supergood recipes here.Luv to learn bakes and cakes from U.Luv ur quoting Titus verse.Gladly following U dear.Luv ur delicious blog of yumm recipes.

  2. They do look perfect with the chocolate and a sprinkle of toffee bits! I bet they were enjoyed by everyone!

    We started back again last night with our weekly Bible study with a kick-off dinner after a summer break. I can’t tell you how much I value the older folks in the group. They are a constant example and a good influence to me!

  3. The Café Sucré Farine says:

    Billy Graham loved to golf and he once asked his wife, Ruth if she thought there would be golfing in heaven. Ruth wisely replied, “whatever is necessary for your eternal happiness will definitely be there”……. I’m thinking that perhaps you and I might have “mansions” filled with shortbread, what do you think? 🙂 Love your idea with the chocolate and extra brickle! mmmmm,mmmmm,mmmmmm! Had I been a mouse in your house on Saturday night there would not have been a crumb left for the family 🙂
    oh, and thanks for the link!

  4. I can’t wait to try making these….. I think Ellie will really enjoy the “swipe through melted chocolate” part!
    So what kinds of chocolate toffee do you use in cookies?.. I have always preferred the taste of Heath or Skor bars broken up, but I have notice they sell bags of bits at the grocery store.

    1. Der, I used the bag of bits by Heath. Chopped up candy bars would be the same. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bag of bits is just somebody’s genius idea for making money using the broken bars.

  5. TheKitchenWitch says:

    You are a wicked temptress, Paula! These look amazing.

  6. My question was answered in your reply to Der. We don’t have Heath bars, at least not that I know of but we do have Skor bar around here. I love shortbread and seeing them fancied up like this is a nice change on an old favourite.

  7. Ann Baker says:

    5 stars
    I absolutely LOVE shortbread AND toffee, so these are going into the “must make” pile. Also loving the vintage muffin pan in the pic. Nice way to show them off!

  8. love your blog!!! just discovered it this morning via pinterest.com which is another wonderful inspiring place on the interweb, keep up the great work :-))

    1. Thanks Trish. I agree about pinterest. Can be addicting. 🙂

  9. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says:

    With shortbread, chocolate and toffee, how could these be anything but good? I would have had my hand right in that cookie jar! 🙂

  10. Shortbread cookies are my favorite, so I’m sure I’d love these! Also, I love that verse about the older women. That’s something I’ve really appreciated in our church here in Chicago–the ability to connect with other generations and learn from them.

  11. I love shortbread and this is certainly a delicious addition to a great cookie.
    Mimi

  12. Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious says:

    Oh yummmmmyyyyy!!! Looks great! I love shortbread, and I love your variety, thanks for sharing!!

  13. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says:

    I think they sound great either way, shortbread is a classic for a reason. With that buttery rich taste they are hard to resist.

  14. Ann Baker says:

    5 stars
    I absolutely LOVE shortbread AND toffee, so these are going into the “must make” pile. Also loving the vintage muffin pan in the pic. Nice way to show them off!