That's my Dad and he turned 60 this month. 60, and boy has he lived so fully all 60 years of that life. What an inspiration, and someone I admire to my very core.
My Dad is one awesome dude. He is first and foremost a family guy. That is the heart and soul of his being. He is also a giver. He gives of his time freely and without hesitation. Along with that, he seems to have an unlimited amount of energy which is infectious and inspires others to give just a little bit more. He is a writer, a joker, a hard worker, an A+ waffle maker, inspiring, optimistic and absolutely unconditionally loving. And all of these qualities were highlighted by the 80 guests that showed up for his birthday party to celebrate him! There were friends from all walks of his life...family, friends that went back to his high school days, former co-workers, neighborhood friends, church friends, friend friends, fellow writers...certainly I am missing some. There was a beautiful toast written by my sister that brought tears to everyone's eyes. The whole day was a complete joy.
Oh, and there were cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. No one likes cookies more than my dad (although my husband and sister are close runner ups), so we had a cookie bar with 4 different kinds of cookies baked by my niece Paige, my sister Tessa and yours truly. We made Peanut Butter, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, and Toffee cookies. They were all delicious and perfect for the occasion, but the Toffee cookies were the ones that received the highest compliments. Before I share the recipe, here are a few photos my dad doing what he does best...enjoying and loving his fam.
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| Photo credit: A Better Story Studios |
I love you Dad! So glad I could celebrate #60 with you!!
English Toffee Cookies
Adapted from Cookin' Canuck
Makes about 3 dozen
2 1/2 cups (350 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (310 grams) granulated sugar, plus 1/2 cup for rolling dough
14 tablespoons (195 grams) unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup Heath bits
Preheat oven to 350F.
Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar. On medium speed, beat for 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture is very light and fluffy. Beat the eggs in one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Add vanilla and mix on medium speed until thoroughly combined.
Turn the mixer to low and add the flour mixture 1/3 at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition. Add the heath bits and mix on low for another 30 seconds, or until the bits are thoroughly incorporated.
Place additional 1/2 cup of sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll the dough into 2 tablespoon sized balls and roll in the sugar. Place dough balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper about 1 inch apart. Bake on middle rack of the oven for 14-16 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges and slightly puffy in the middle. Allow to cool on pan for 5 minutes then remove to a wire cooling rack. These are amazing warm, right out of the oven, so next you should definitely...
Eat it!!
Awwww, happy birthday to your dad!!!
ReplyDeleteMy dad will be visiting next week and I'm going to make him an early birthday cake/brownies! LOL!
These cookies look amazing!
Oh yummy. I love toffee cookies. The good and the bad thing is my husband doesn't. I don't have to share but then suddenly I have so many cookie all to myself.
ReplyDeleteAwww Happyt Birthday Father Kitchicoo! He seems so adorable!
ReplyDeleteI am sure these were the perfect presengt :D
Cheers
CCU
You dad sounds like an awesome guy, wishing him many more years. Also wishing I had a couple of these yummy cookies right now.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your dad! Sounds like you had a great party.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I loved every sentence if this post! So lovely! Thank you for sharing the pics with us, Maggie :) And the cookies - well, scrumptious all the way! Have a wonderful weekend, my sweet friend! xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of your dad, he does indeed look full of life and joy!
ReplyDeleteAw what a wonderful time it looks like you all had! Happy Birthday to your dad :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your dad... Thanks for sharing your beautiful family photos. Wishing you all many many years of happy togetherness.
ReplyDeleteLovely cookies all tied up with raffia... those must've made your dad's day.
What great photos of your father! And these cookies...sigh. I so adore cookies with toffee!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, those photos are so cute I could die! Your father seems like a truly amazing man, and these cookies look amazing too! I love toffee. Yum!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Dad! He looks very young at heart and all your family photo look amazing! I wish my dad can pose as well as yours... LOL!
ReplyDeleteThese cookies look very yummy and I think your dad must be very proud of you and all the yummy food that you cooked.
Happy Birthday to your amazing dad!:) And you made him really great cookies :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a sweet sweet post! Happy belated B-day to your Dad! Love all the photos, and those cookies look very tempting! Enjoy with your family, those are the most precious moments!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Dad!!! lovely family pictures.
ReplyDeleteYummy cookies!
Happy Birthday to your Dad! These cookies sound wonderful! Toffee is such a delicious addition to anything, my mom would love these as it is one of her favorites! I should show her the recipe!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what I enjoyed more; the photos of your family (Happy Birthday to your dad!) or the chance to print out this recipe and eat a ton of cookies hehe
ReplyDeleteYour dad seems like such an amazing guy! All the photos are just so sweet! Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThese cookies look awesome. I love anything with toffee in them.
Hope you are enjoying your pregnancy. Have you found out if you are having a boy or girl yet?!
These cookies sound amazing! Love your blog! I found you after you commented on my site :)
ReplyDeleteWow. Your dad is a whole lot of fun. You can just see all the young uns attached to him and the older ones inspired by him. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThese toffee cookies look delish. What a special day. Very nice post.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your dad! You look like a very happy family indeed. Great cookies and pretty styling.
ReplyDeletetotal belated happy birthday to your dad! what a cool idea - a cookie bar sounds like so much fun for a party. these cookies, in particular, would be a HUGE hit with my family. i'm saving this one to make as soon as possible. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to celebrate your dad! Those cookies look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love that first picture of your dad--I think that one says it all. Happy belated birthday to your dad! I bet he loved the cookies.
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