If you’ve ever dreamed of a cookie that captures the perfect crunch of graham crackers, the rich buttery caramel flavor of toffee, and the melty goodness of chocolate all in one bite, the Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies Recipe is your dream come true. This recipe is a fantastic way to elevate classic cookie baking with a nostalgic twist that both kids and adults will rave about. Imagine biting into a tender cookie with irresistible pockets of crispy toffee crunch and just a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to highlight every flavor note. If you’re ready to wow your taste buds and your friends, this recipe will not disappoint in delivering a sweet, crunchy, and utterly addictive treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential in creating a cookie with exquisite texture and irresistible flavor. Each one plays a role, from creating that golden toffee magic to giving the cookie structure and a lovely balance of sweetness.
- 4 full graham cracker rectangles: The crunchy base for your toffee layer, providing that signature graham cracker flavor and texture.
- 5 Tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter: Helps create a smooth, golden toffee with a rich, buttery flavor.
- ¼ cup + 1 Tablespoon (63g) firmly packed light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and depth with subtle molasses notes for the toffee layer.
- ½ cup (85g) semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts over the toffee to give a luscious chocolate topping that perfectly complements the caramel.
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons (135g) all-purpose flour: Provides the foundation for soft yet sturdy cookies.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise gently while keeping them tender.
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder: Adds lift, contributing to the cookie’s perfect texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter (softened): Creamed with sugar for a fluffy cookie dough base.
- ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons (125g) firmly packed light brown sugar: Sweetens the dough while keeping it moist and chewy.
- 1 large egg (at room temperature): Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: A subtle, sweet aroma that rounds out the flavor beautifully.
- flaky sea salt (optional): Adds a pop of saltiness that contrasts delightfully with the sweet toffee and chocolate.
How to Make Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Toffee
Start by preheating your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, or simply use nonstick spray. Break the graham crackers into squares and arrange them snugly but with tiny gaps across the pan. In a saucepan, heat the butter and brown sugar until it boils, then pour this bubbling caramel goodness over the crackers. Bake for 8 minutes to create a golden, crackly toffee base that will become the heart of these cookies.
Step 2: Add the Chocolate Layer
Once the toffee comes out of the oven, immediately scatter the semi-sweet chocolate chips atop the hot toffee layer. Wait for a couple of minutes to allow the chips to melt, then spread the chocolate into a smooth, rich sheet with an offset spatula. This melted chocolate layer seals in the toffee and adds that dreamy chocolate hit in every bite. Chill this in the freezer for 15 minutes while you make your cookie dough.
Step 3: Mix the Cookie Dough
Lower the oven temperature to 350ºF (177ºC). In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream the softened butter with brown sugar until fluffy and light. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients just until combined—don’t overmix or your cookies will lose that tender crumb.
Step 4: Incorporate the Toffee Chunks
Remove your chilled toffee from the freezer and chop it coarsely into about 2 cups of pieces. Reserve ½ cup for later topping. Fold the remaining toffee chunks gently into your cookie dough. This is where the magic happens: every cookie will be studded with crunchy, buttery caramel gems.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto your lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges start turning golden brown but the centers remain soft. While the cookies are still warm, press a few remaining toffee pieces onto the tops and sprinkle some flaky sea salt for that irresistible sweet-salty finish. Let the cookies cool on the sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This baking process yields cookies with a perfect balance of chewiness and crunch.
How to Serve Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on warm cookies dramatically amplifies the sweet and buttery harmony. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of melted chocolate or a handful of finely chopped nuts like pecans or almonds over the top makes these cookies look stunning and adds a subtle, nutty contrast.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a rich cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. You can also serve them alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to balance their sweetness with fresh, fruity brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, stack these cookies on a decorative platter layered with parchment paper for a charming look. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a thin spread of chocolate ganache or caramel sauce for double the indulgence. Wrapping them up as little gift bundles with a ribbon makes an irresistible homemade gift that anyone would love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies Recipe leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh for up to one week. Keeping them sealed well ensures they maintain their soft centers and crunchy toffee bits without going stale.
Freezing
You can freeze both baked cookies and unbaked cookie dough balls. Baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to two months; just thaw at room temperature before serving. For dough, freeze scooped balls in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When ready, bake them directly from frozen and add an extra minute to your baking time.
Reheating
Warm leftover Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies gently in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven (300ºF/150ºC) for 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-from-the-oven softness and enhances the toffee crunch without drying out the cookies.
FAQs
Can I use saltine crackers instead of graham crackers?
Absolutely! Saltine toffee is a classic alternative. The saltine crackers give a more savory crunch that contrasts beautifully with the sweet toffee and chocolate, making it a lovely twist on the recipe.
Do I have to use unsalted butter?
Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness in the recipe more precisely, especially since flaky sea salt is added at the end. However, if you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt to avoid making the cookies too salty.
Why do I need to chill the toffee before adding it to the cookie dough?
Chilling the toffee makes it firm and easier to chop into chunks without melting or sticking. This helps create distinct pockets of toffee crunch inside your cookies instead of a gooey mess.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, you can enjoy these cookies gluten-free. Just make sure your baking powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free to be safe.
How do I prevent the toffee from becoming too hard?
Don’t overbake the toffee layer; 8 minutes is just right for it to set crunchy but not rock hard. Also, adding the melted chocolate topping right after baking helps create a softer top layer that balances the crunchiness of the toffee underneath.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies Recipe enough if you’re looking for a unique and scrumptiously satisfying cookie to share with family and friends. It’s a delightful blend of textures and flavors that feels both cozy and elevated. Once you try it, these cookies might just become your new go-to treat for every special occasion and simple snack time alike. So grab your ingredients, and get ready to impress with every bite!
“`
Print
Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
Description
These Graham Cracker Toffee Cookies are a delightful combination of crumbly graham crackers, rich toffee, and melty chocolate chips baked into soft, chewy cookies. Featuring homemade graham cracker toffee as the star ingredient, these cookies offer a perfect blend of sweet, buttery, and slightly salty flavors, topped with optional flaky sea salt for an irresistible finish. They’re easy to prepare and bake, making a perfect treat for sharing or enjoying any time.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Toffee
- 4 full graham cracker rectangles
- 5 Tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup + 1 Tablespoon (63g) firmly packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (85g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cookies
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons (135g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons (125g) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Graham Cracker Toffee: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; alternatively, use nonstick spray on a bare baking sheet. Break the graham crackers into squares and arrange them on the baking sheet, leaving a bit of room between each piece.
- Make Toffee Mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and allow to boil without stirring for 4-5 minutes until bubbly and beginning to darken. Remove from heat and quickly pour evenly over the graham crackers, spreading with a spatula to coat all pieces.
- Bake Toffee: Immediately place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee. Let sit for 2 minutes to melt the chocolate, then spread the melted chocolate into an even layer with an offset spatula. Add chopped nuts or preferred toppings if desired.
- Chill Toffee: Place the toffee in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to harden while you prepare the cookie dough.
- Prepare Cookie Dough: Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF (177ºC) and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract and beat until fully combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in two additions with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Remove hardened toffee from the freezer and coarsely chop, reserving about ½ cup to use as topping. Fold the remaining toffee pieces gently into the cookie dough.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges start to brown, typically about 11 minutes. Immediately after removing from oven, press reserved toffee chunks into the tops of the cookies and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using.
- Cool and Store: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months, and frozen dough can be baked adding 1 minute to the bake time.
Notes
- You can make a full batch of graham cracker or saltine toffee ahead of time and use it in these cookies, requiring about 2 cups chopped toffee total.
- For easiest spreading of melted chocolate, wait 2 minutes after adding the chips to the hot toffee.
- Use a #50 cookie scoop for consistent sized cookies.
- Cookies freeze well both baked and as dough; bake frozen dough with an extra minute added to baking time.
- Adding flaky sea salt on top enhances the sweet and salty flavor contrast but is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
