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Heath Bar Slice ‘n Bake Shortbread Cookies for #Baketogether

Heath Bar Slice 'n Bake Shortbread Cookies
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Can you hear that sigh…that huge exhale of relief? I’ve decided that this year I have to be more cognizant of MY priorities and that might include saying no to some interesting but otherwise way too time consuming projects for the blog. I won’t be heading to events that someone hopes I cover in exchange for an entry ticket or a free drink…sometimes they’re fun but not as much fun as meeting my own friends and buying my own drink…and I don’t have to write a post afterwards either! I’m officially taking a leave of absence from another baking group too; I just don’t have enough hours in the day to get it all done and I have some things of my own I want to start. A Cocktail Club. More salads and light dishes. Some posts that are near and dear to my heart about social issues and food. Still; one obligation that I hope to not miss is this one…when I bake with friends. Even if my baking this month would have me win the ‘Better Late Than Never’ award. Not just the last day of the month…no, I managed to make it the last day of the YEAR..buh bye 2012.

heath-bar-cookies-tray

If I’m perfectly honest, this post for #Baketogether should not be happening at all. I started feeling a bit punk on Christmas Eve and missed a couple of things I wanted to go to; managed to muddle through Christmas OK but just crashed afterwards with a horrible cold…you know, the kind when you honestly feel like you might rip your lungs out of your body when you cough? Yeah, that kind. I was sick in bed Wednesday and Thursday (first time in many years I did that!) and in my fog, my Friday Cocktail post went live but it had not actually been completed so not only was there no photo…the ‘post’ was basically some notes and a recipe. I think that might have freaked me out more if I hadn’t been sick. Cough medicine was the great equalizer…I was pretty mellow and with an ‘Oh, well’ attitude I managed to make and photograph this Champagne Cocktail for New Year’s and revised that pathetic post as quick as possible. The cocktail was wonderful but I only had a sip…I could have downed it in a heartbeat but just could not convince myself that it was the perfect pairing for Tylenol Cold and Flu Medicine. Boo.

Now, I could attest to my great fondness for Abby Dodge and my total commitment to her monthly event and there would be truth in those words. But if I’m honest? I didn’t feel good and I wanted two things. Some soup and some cookies. I figure if I was going to make cookies, then I ought to do these and I’m so glad I did. They embody not only a great shortbread cookie but also the flavors of my favorite candy bar; the Heath Bar. I believe that the first cavity I ever got when I was little must have had ‘Heath Bar’ attributed to it. It’s been a long term love affair and these cookies were the perfect vehicle for those flavors of toffee and milk chocolate. An easy and delicious cookie filled with Heath Brickle Bits and then drizzled with some melted milk chocolate. I will blame the fever on the fact that I ate so many of the first batch I cooked that I had to bake more in order to get photos. They are that good…you know, the ‘I think I’ll just have one more’ type of good but then you keep saying that same thing over and over until they are all gone good?

heath-bar-cookies-bite

Was it coincidence or is there truth in the fact that I feel better after indulging. I think it was the cookies. Next time? Forget gargling with salt water…I’m eating some more Heath Bar Ice Box Cookies! The doctor you need to call is Abby Dodge! :)

Heath Bar Slice

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes

Yield: 5-6 dozen cookies

Heath Bar Slice

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups (10 1/8 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 12 tablespoons (6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Heath 'Bits 'O Brickle'
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (4 oz) milk chocolate chips for drizzling
  • 3 Tbsp half and half

Preparation

    To make the dough:
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt until well blended.
  2. Put the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the egg, Heath bits and vanilla to the sugar mixture and beat on medium until blended, about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough begins to form moist clumps, about 1 minute.
  4. Dump the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Using the plastic as a guide, gently knead into a smooth dough. Shape into a 18-inch-long, rectangular log. Cut into two pieces and wrap each well in plastic wrap.
  5. Refrigerate until chilled and very firm, about 4 hours.
  6. To bake the cookies:
  7. Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 350°F. Line two (or more if you have them) cookie sheets with parchment or nonstick baking liners.
  8. Using a thin-bladed knife, cut the dough into slices between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick
  9. Arrange the slices about 1 inch apart on the prepared sheets. Bake, one sheet at a time, until the tops look dry and the edges are golden brown, 11 to 13 minutes.
  10. Move the sheet to a cooling rack and let the cookies sit for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a cooling rack and cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough using cookie sheets that are completely cold.
  11. To drizzle the cookies:
  12. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave the milk chocolate chips on high for 20 seconds, until soft (chips hold their shape so go ahead and stir them). Add the half and half and microwave for up to 20 seconds more until all of the chocolate is soft and can be stirred until smooth.
  13. Pour the chocolate into a small ziploc bag and snip off the corner of the bag (Keep it small; you can always enlarge).
  14. Squeeze the bag gently and drizzle the chocolate in both directions across each cookie.
  15. Let sit at room temperature until chocolate is set or put the cookies into the fridge for 10-15 minutes if in a hurry to have them setup.

Notes

The dough can be prepared through Step 5 and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 1 month before proceeding with the recipe. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Layer the baked and cooled cookies between sheets of parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container. These cookies can be stowed for up to 5 days at room temperature or for up to 3 months in the freezer.

http://www.creative-culinary.com/heath-bar-slice-n-bake-shortbread-cookies/

Want to bake with us? Check out the details on Abby’s site and come on along. It’s fun, it’s creative and you’ll meet some new and wonderful bloggers too!

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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jamie January 8, 2013 at 6:35 am

Oy, I have let so many baking events like #baketogether which I love down… I would have the time if I had the eaters… I just can no longer bake as often as I would like or I would end up eating it all myself which would go against my resolution to lose the few pounds I have put on since we moved. But these cookies look too good! And I know everything that is Abby’s is scrumptious!
Jamie Most Recent Post: CINNAMON CARAMELIZED APPLE KING’S CAKE

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2 Creative Culinary January 9, 2013 at 1:55 pm

I give too much food away and that really needs to stop since the expense is all on me and not a company. My neighbors appreciate it but my pocketbook doesn’t! :)

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3 Valerie Stryker January 5, 2013 at 12:59 pm

Just made these — still have to put the chocolate on. They are delicious (so far). Are you sure in the notes it is correct that you can prepare them through Step 2 and refrigerate or freeze. That does not seem like it is correct.

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4 Creative Culinary January 5, 2013 at 1:09 pm

Thanks for catching that Valerie…this is Abby’s recipe and I copied her notes but she did less steps whereas I like to break them down into more…so yes, I need to change that number to more accurately reflect my list which would make it step 5. OOPS! And again thanks!

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5 Sarah Phelps January 2, 2013 at 6:46 am

LOOKS reallyyyy yummy!

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6 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:30 pm

They really are…promise!

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7 Tracy G. January 2, 2013 at 6:01 am

1st – The Heath cookies look and sound delicious! I will be making them today to send to a friend in Mississippi. (I LOVE Heath bars so much, I buy the huge bag at Sam’s Club)

2nd – GOOD FOR YOU for prioritizing your life. I, too, tend to be a “yes” girl and saying NO (at least to a few things) is also a New Year’s resolution. I say more “ME TIME” for us! I wish you all the best with that. Glad you’re feeling better and thanks for the many fun, wonderful recipes!

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8 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:32 pm

Thanks so much Tracy; for the kind comments and the encouragement. I am most definitely a people pleaser and sometimes I get overwrought trying to get everything done that everyone wants. I am reclaiming this blog at least for me. I’ll do occasional posts for some brand exposure of things I love but not as much or as often. Unless they want to start paying me to big bucks and so far most think it should all be free. HA!! No more…

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9 Lana @ Never Enough Thyme January 1, 2013 at 7:35 pm

Heath Bars are my all-time most favorite candy so I *know* I’m going to love these cookies. Hope you’re feeling much better now!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: A Very Traditional Southern New Year’s Meal

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10 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:30 pm

One word Lana. Addictive. Try them so we can be addicts together.

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11 Kate | Food Babbles December 31, 2012 at 3:18 pm

You and I are completely on the same page when it comes to Heath bars! LOOOVE them! I like that you and I were also on a similar wavelength when it came to this month’s Bake Together. I already want to make cookies again and I think I’ll need to try yours. I love the chocolate drizzle over top. Perfection! So glad to hear you’re feeling better. xoxo
Kate | Food Babbles Most Recent Post: Champagne Bread – #TwelveLoaves

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12 Laura (Tutti Dolci) December 31, 2012 at 1:07 pm

I was drooling when you posted these on IG… I love shortbread and heath bars! Happy New Year!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) Most Recent Post: meyer lemon scones

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13 Suzanne December 31, 2012 at 12:21 pm

Happy New Year Barb, those cookies look so delicious and beautiful. I feel awful, have been so busy I haven’t entered anything in Abby’s bake together. Better make that one of my new years resolutions. Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2013.

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14 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:36 pm

It should never be stressful…which is why I’m cutting back on things…it started to feel that way. I may even miss a baketogether and I bet I survive. :)

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15 Kate @FramedCooks December 31, 2012 at 10:47 am

These look absolutely mouthwatering!! Great recipes, great pictures, and best of all, glad you are feeling better. Happy healthy new year to you! :)
Kate @FramedCooks Most Recent Post: Shrimp Melts! And a Giveaway!

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16 Creative Culinary December 31, 2012 at 3:31 pm

Thanks so much Kate and I wish the same back at ya…Happy New Year!

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17 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:40 pm

Thank you Kate and the same to you…a very Happy New Year. Barb

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18 john@kitchenriffs December 31, 2012 at 10:07 am

It’s a scientific fact that chocolate cures almost anything. Isn’t it? ;-) Sorry you’ve been feeling poorly, but this cookies look like a terrific antidote! Happy New Year!
john@kitchenriffs Most Recent Post: Smoky Salmon and Cream Cheese Dip

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19 Creative Culinary December 31, 2012 at 3:30 pm

Those are words I’m happy to live by John. Happy New Year to you too!

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20 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:40 pm

These did help but I need a refill. :)

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21 Holly December 31, 2012 at 9:15 am

You have found the cure to all ills! Eat more chocolate and cookies! It’s the scientific breakthrough of 2012 and here I’ve been trying it for years. These are beautiful and you came through just in time. I think it is a sound idea to cut back and take on projects that you really want to do. No need to stretch yourself in too many directions. I wish you a very happy and successful 2013!
Holly Most Recent Post: Homemade Christmas Crackers

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22 Creative Culinary December 31, 2012 at 3:30 pm

I discovered after eating chocolate covered dry fruits that it is good for the immune system; they were only necessary to keep my recovery on track. :)

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23 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:42 pm

Thanks to you Doc for some of my meds. :) Yeah…I dropped out of twelveloaves…I see you were a hostess this month! I love bread as much as the next guy but it’s not my forte so want to do something more my passion…think cocktails Holly. :)

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24 Wendy Read December 31, 2012 at 9:01 am

Happy New Year my friend! I adore shortbread cookies and heath..how could you go wrong? Beautiful job as always :)
Wendy Read Most Recent Post: Guest Post for Cranberry & Tangerine Pecan Cinnamon Rolls featuring Tangerine Ginger Rum Jam

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25 Creative Culinary December 31, 2012 at 3:29 pm

Thanks Wendy…they are so good. About time we caught up right?

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26 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:42 pm

Happy New Year Wendy. We need to catch up SOON.

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27 Jayne December 31, 2012 at 8:22 am

These look so good, Id forgotten all about Heath Bars! I will be on a mission to find one now! I hope you are feeling better. A very happy New Year to you Barb! x
Jayne Most Recent Post: Brandied Mincemeat Loaf for #TwelveLoaves

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28 Creative Culinary December 31, 2012 at 3:28 pm

Thanks Jayne and to you too!

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29 Creative Culinary January 3, 2013 at 8:44 pm

Guess the medicine helped but I give all credit to the cookies. We can purchase bags of just the toffee chips here; typically near where they sell chocolate chips…wonder if they’re available there too? Thanks Jayne…Happy New Year to you too!

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30 Karen Harris December 31, 2012 at 8:03 am

These cookies could probably cure most anything. Wow, they do look wonderful. I feel so awful about dropping off the #baketogether band wagon. Maybe I can pick it back up in 2013. Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Happy New Year Barb!
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: An Edible Good Luck Charm for 2013: Texas Caviar

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31 Creative Culinary December 31, 2012 at 3:28 pm

They are highly addictive I know that. I could/did/would have eaten them all except for some I’ve given away.

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