Baking Bonanza: Daddy’s Favorite Toll House Cookie Bars

30 November

Here’s an oldie, but a goodie – my father’s favorite Toll House cookie bars. There’s something to be said for classics, try as I might to manipulate them into something new… One must realize things are classic for a reason; reason being that they are perfect as is. And so each birthday & Father’s Day I receive a request for the simple Toll House recipe written for everyone to see and share on the back of the package with special directions not to change anything. As such I will refrain from experimentation just this once and, of course, anytime I need to say thank you for washing my car, monitoring my finances, or just being a great father in general.

I hope you enjoy these as you should enjoy many things in life – simply delicious just the way they are!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Combine CAREFULLY MEASURED flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Mom instructs me to measure – emphasizing baking is a science – yeah yeah. Shortly thereafter we realized we were short a stick of butter. She quickly grabs some sort of messy organic cube like chunk out of the freezer. So much for the precise measuring… Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts.

Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.