Gourmet Style Cookies at Home

There are few things better than the fresh, big cookies from a bakery, unless you can recreate that in your own kitchen! These cookies use the same base as my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies, but with the addition of cashews, toffee pieces, and chocolate chips, they become something truly special. I brought some to my parents' house this past weekend and heard nothing but good things, and I'm sure you will, too!

I love cashews; they're my favorite nut. But, if you're partial to something else, feel free to substitute those - pecans would be delicious in that mix of toffee and chocolate, too. Anyway, with the addition of a few special ingredients, these cookies will make you feel as though you're enjoying a special treat at an expensive bistro or bakery somewhere.

And, as it's the fourth of July today, it seemed appropriate to post a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, considering they're a staple of American life . . . at least for me. :) Hope you all have a wonderful Independence Day, celebrating our freedoms and the troops that fight for it! One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Gourmet-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
28 Tbls. butter
1 1/2 c. dark brown sugar (I use light because it's usually all I have on hand)
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbls vanilla
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 c. chopped cashews
3/4 c. toffee pieces
1 1/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
2. Heat 20 Tbls. of butter over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling the pan continuously until butter is dark golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer butter to large bowl and add remaining 8 Tbls. of butter and stir until melted. 
3. Add sugars, salt, soda, and vanilla and whisk until incorporated. 
4. Add egg and egg yolk and whisk until smooth. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat this twice more. 
5. Stir in flour until just incorporated, then mix in the chocolate chips, toffee pieces, and cashews. Spoon dough onto parchment-lined or greased baking sheets and bake for 10-14 minutes - the cookies should look puffy and golden brown.

I hope you all enjoy these!
Hugs and cookies,

Amanda