{Christmas Cookie Favorites} Tollhouse brittle

About 10 years ago when my oldest daughter was only 2 1/2 we drove up to northern Georgia and spent Christmas in a beautiful cabin with my inlaws. It was a fabulous week, and the view from the cabin windows was amazing!! Trees with bare branches as far as the eye could see. If you know me very well, you know I have a thing for trees. It’s how I size up any yard when looking at houses, the more trees the better.

Funny story about that trip ~ the drive up to the cabins was very narrow, windy and steep. I had recently developed a fear of heights, so once we got settled into the cabin I didn’t venture down the mountain until it was time to leave. Of course it wasn’t really a hardship for me since at the time I was a working mom….back in my teaching days. I was beat from running, running, running, had already bought and wrapped all my gifts and was ready to kick back and relax! The resort area had plenty to walk around and see….which we did, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. 😉

That was the Christmas my mother-in-law made the cream cheese danish that we love and make every year now. It was also the year that I found out all the recipes my mother-in-law brought down to my house to share with me were really my sister-in-law’s recipes. It’s a long standing joke between them that every good recipe comes from my sister-in-law Kathy, and that my mother-in-law copies them down and passes them off as her own.

So I got this tollhouse cookie brittle recipe from my mother-in-law…on a recipe card in her handwriting, but it’s really by way of my sis-in-law. I’m happy she’s given me the go ahead to share it with you! You’re gonna love this recipe as much as I do!! It’s quick, easy and one of our favorites! It only uses 6-7 ingredients, and if you’re out of eggs…you’re NOT out of luck!

It’s a quick one to make and take to gatherings. Just last week I made a batch of Tollhouse Brittle and a batch of Lemon Squares. I made 2 cookie platters to take to 2 different events….with both on each. Brilliant! How easy is that?

Do you have any funny family recipe stories? What about Christmas memories that stand out to you?


5.0 from 1 reviews
{Christmas Cookie Favorites} Tollhouse brittle
Author: 
Recipe type: Christmas cookie, Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 60
 
This is the BEST and easiest chocolate chip cookie bar out there. It's fast and doesn't require the use of eggs! If you don't have eggs...you can still make this cookie! Easy to adapt for vegans, just sub the butter with coconut oil.
Ingredients
  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 1½ tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 6 oz. chocolate chips (I use a little over 8 oz.)
  • 1½ cups walnuts, chopped (I use food processor)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. In mixer, combine soft butter, vanilla and salt. Add sugar and flour. Press into a cookie sheet (1/2 to 1 inch thickness). It only takes up ¾ of a standard cookie sheet. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown.
  3. Cool on rack for about 15 minutes and then cut into 5 long strips with pizza cutter. Then each strip into 12 short bars. The orginal recipe calls for breaking into random chunks, but this way I get the maximum amount of cookie bars.
  4. For friends with allergies to nuts, I just omit nuts.
  5. For vegans use coconut oil instead of butter.

 

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This recipe is linked up with Works for Me Wednesday.

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9 Responses to {Christmas Cookie Favorites} Tollhouse brittle

  1. Katrina says:

    This looks so good. I think I saw something similar a couple years ago and vowed to make it then, but still haven’t yet. I must!
    Katrina recently posted..Chocolate Cinnamon M&M’s Blondies—12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies

  2. Kathryn Childers says:

    Your Sister in Law thanks you for the shout out! However, after seeing your beautiful photo, I must confess….yours look prettier than mine! I break mine into random pieces like peanut brittle and I’m too lazy to chop nuts…so, straight out of the bag slivered almonds on top. They brown nicely while baking! Think I’m going to give it a try with the walnuts though, they look more like a nice bar that way. Oh, and thanks for the tip on the pizza cutter. LOL Don’t think I’ll be trying the coconut oil though, you know our house, not a vegan in sight here!! Love you, and we’re looking forward to NEXT Christmas, we can all holiday bake together!!

    • Denise says:

      Thanks Kathy!! I love making these every year, and think about you when I do! I didn’t know you used almond silvers…what a great idea. I do love the walnuts and this was the first year that I thought of using the food processor to chop them. I only pulsed a few times so I wouldn’t completely obliterate them. 😉

      Yeah…we use butter for them…no vegans here either. But thought I’d mention that option for those that need it. I love that you don’t need eggs for them just cause you know….one less thing to worry about especially if you’re out of eggs.
      I’ve already made them twice this year.

      Yes…next year!! I’m looking forward to it. 🙂

  3. These cookies look so festive! I like the nutty topping.
    Christine @ Fresh Local and Best recently posted..Dear Alex

  4. This has got my name written all over it! Nothing better than a buttery cookie with chocolate chips in it.
    Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Pear Almond Clafoutis (or is it a Flognarde?) | Gluten-Free and Grain-Free

  5. It sounds as though that was a perfect spot for a memorable Christmas vacation. And these tempting cookies would make it even better!
    Cookin’ Canuck recently posted..Make-Ahead Baked Eggs with Bacon, Mushrooms & Sage Recipe

  6. Pingback: {Christmas Cookie Favorites} Mint Chocolate Cookies | Creative Kitchen

  7. Candace says:

    What a wonderful recipe! I can’t wait to make this!
    Candace recently posted..Ummmmm……

  8. These cookies sound delicious!!! What a great family tradition! Our only fam tradition is making Santa chocolate chip cookies Christmas Eve, the girls love it!! 🙂

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