Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) All-Purpose Flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) Fine Sea Salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 225 g) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (165 g) Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100 g) Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup (175 g) Milk Chocolate Chips
- 3/4 cup (100 g) English Toffee Bits
- Flaky Sea Salt (Optional, for sprinkling post-bake)
Instructions:
- Prep Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and noticeably pale (3–5 minutes). This step is crucial for the cookie structure.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Reduce the speed to medium. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and mix briefly.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing only until just combined—a few streaks of flour should remain. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Inclusions: Remove the bowl from the mixer. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the milk chocolate chips and toffee bits until evenly distributed.
- Chill the Dough (Mandatory): Cover the bowl tightly with cling film and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, or ideally 12 to 24 hours. This allows the gluten to relax and the flavour to deepen.
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Portion the Dough: Scoop the chilled dough using a 3-tablespoon ice cream scoop or roll into balls of roughly 60–70g each. Place the dough balls 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared sheets.
- Bake: Bake cookies for 10–12 minutes. The edges should be set and golden brown, but the centres should still look slightly soft and underbaked.
- Cool and Finish: Remove from the oven. If desired, immediately sprinkle the tops lightly with flaky sea salt. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.