• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Confessions of a Baking Queen logo
  • About
    • Contact
  • All Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • British Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Breads
      • Brownies
      • Caramel
      • Cakes
      • Chocolate
      • Confections
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cookies
      • Cupcakes
      • Custards & Puddings
      • Creme Brûlée
      • Lemon
      • Peanut Butter
      • Pies & Tarts
      • Frostings
      • Scones
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Egg Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Spring
    • Fall
    • Summer
  • Desserts
    • Cookies
    • Cakes
    • Bars
    • Cheesecakes
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All Recipes
    • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
  • Chocolate
  • Cakes
  • Cookies
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All Recipes
      • Recipe Search
      • Recipe Index
    • Chocolate
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Cookies

    Brittle Cookies

    By Elizabeth Waterson // Sep 10, 2022 (Updated May 4, 2023) // 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe·5 from 1 review
    This post may contain affiliate links, which may pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen!

    95 shares
    hand holding california brittle cookie up to the camera

    Get ready to fall in love with these California Brittle Cookies. Filled with toffee and almond flavors and chunks of See's California Brittle, these cookies are impossible to resist! Step-by-step photos teach you how to bake this California Brittle Cookie recipe.

    hand holding california brittle cookie up to the camera

    Growing up in Southern California, we always had See's Candies for special occasions. Everyone would smile at the sight of the classic white box. It wasn't until I was older that I realized you could actually go to the store and pick out your favorites to make your own custom box. I loved doing this because I always wanted extra Calfornia Brittle and Butterscotch Squares.

    box of see's california brittle

    Then we were able to get the pre-packed bags of California Brittle and that became a staple in stockings for Christmas. My whole family is head over heels for the California Brittle so it was only natural to create a cookie showcasing our favorite chocolate.

    The toffee, almond, and milk chocolate go so well inside a nice chewy brown butter cookie.

    chopped up See's california brittle on a small wood board chopped up See's California brittle on a small wood board on an light surface

    This month we celebrate Mrs. See's Birthday and all of the incredibly delicious chocolates from See's Candies. Make sure to check out your local See's Candies for all of the chocolate specials, and make sure you grab some California Brittle to make these cookies!

    Let's get to the recipe

    This post was sponsored by See's Candies. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Confessions of a Baking Queen possible. 

    sees california brittle cookies on a wire cooling rack on top of a blue linen on a light surface
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to freeze
    • Can you double
    • Thicker Cookie
    • Recipe Card
    • Recipe Ratings & Comments

    Ingredients

    For this cookie recipe you will need:

    • Browned Butter. I tested this recipe multiple ways and found that we loved the flavor of the brown butter but enjoyed the texture from creaming the butter with the sugars. So to achieve that perfect cookie you'll need to brown some butter then chill it back to room temperature to cream it with the sugars. If you are in a hurry you can skip using brown butter and use regular room temperature butter.
    • Granulated Sugar. White sugar helps sweeten the cookies and encourages them to spread and brown while baking.
    • Light Brown Sugar. Using more brown sugar adds a bit more moisture to the cookie dough, creating a chewier cookie.
    • Large Eggs. You'll need one whole egg and one additional egg yolk, adding the extra egg yolk adds more fat to the dough helping create a moister, chewier cookie. Your eggs should be at room temperature. You can do this quickly by placing the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes before cracking them open.
    • Pure Vanilla Extract. Make sure you use real vanilla extract, not the imitation stuff!
    • Almond Extract. I tried this cookie with and without the almond extract but felt that the almond extract tied in beautifully to the toffee brittle.
    • All-Purpose Flour. I always encourage you to measure your ingredients by weight, a scale, as opposed to by volume, using cups. Adding too much or too little flour can totally alter the recipe.
    • Baking Soda. This chemical leavening agent helps the cookies rise while baking and also helps them brown while baking.
    • Baking Powder. This chemical leavening agent helps the cookies rise while baking and have those beautiful crinkles throughout the cookie.
    • Salt. You may be tempted to skip this key ingredient, but trust me don't! Salt not only helps balance out the sweetness of the cookies but also helps the other ingredient's flavor profiles shine through.
    • See's Candies California Brittle. For the star of the cookie, you'll need to chop the chocolate coffered toffee brittle into small pieces.
    • Sea Salt. I highly suggest sprinkling the cookies with sea salt on top, it really helps tie in the brittle flavor.

    Some other cookie recipes we love are my walnut chocolate chip cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies, and cream cheese chocolate chip cookies.

    ingredients in small glass bowls for california brttle cookies on an light surface

    For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.

    Instructions

    In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large bowl with a handheld mixer combine butter and sugars.

    on a light surface with a blue stripped linen

    Mix on medium for around 2 minutes, until light and fluffy, make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and the bottom of the bowl so everything combines, the color of the mixture will lighten as time goes on mixing.

    vanilla extract, almond extract, and egg added to creamed butter and sugar in a glass bowl on a light surface with a blue stripped linen

    Add in the whole egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract making sure to mix until fully combined. Then stir in the additional egg yolk, mixing until no trace of egg yolk remains.

    egg yolk added to wet ingredients for cookie dough on a light surface with a blue stripped linen
    wet ingredients for cookie dough in a glass bowl on a light surface with a blue stripped linen

    In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

    dry ingredients whisked together in n glass bowl on a light surface with a blue stripped linen

    Gently fold in dry ingredients then stir in the chopped California Brittle, do not over-stir!

    dry ingredients added to wet ingredients for cookie dough on a light surface with a blue stripped linen
    chopped up california brittle candy added to cookie dough in a glass bowl on a light surface with a blue stripped linen

    I use a large three-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop 9 large cookies. Place cookie balls on a parchment-lined pan covered with plastic wrap or in an air-tight container. Chill the cookie dough at least two hours or up to 48 hours. If you chill the cookie dough for longer than 2 hours let the dough sit out on the counter for 20 minutes before baking.

    california brittle cookie dough balls on a sheet pan wrapped in plastic on a light surface

    Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and if using, line your baking sheet with a silpat liner. Place 5 cookies on a half-sheet baking tray inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Sprinkle sea salt on top and use a large cookie scoop or large mug to circle around the cookies to create a perfectly rounded cookie.

    cookie cutter circling out brittle cookies just baked on a tray on a light surface

    Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store at room temperature in an air-tight container.

    sees california brittle cookies an wire rack on a light surface

    How to freeze

    To freeze unbaked cookie dough balls: Scoop the cookie dough and place it on a parchment-lined sheet pan or large plate to freeze, once they are frozen (about an hour or two) place the dough balls into an air-tight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

    When ready to bake the cookies, follow normal instructions but add a minute or two to the bake time. The cookies may not spread as much from frozen, in that case when the cookies come out of the oven I bang the tray on the counter to encourage the cookies to spread.

    To freeze baked cookies: Once you've baked the cookies allow them to cool completely then place them in an air-tight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat place cookies on the counter to thaw for an hour.

    cookies on a light surface next to pieces of california brittle

    Can you double

    You can most certainly double the recipe but pressing the 2X button on the recipe card below.

    I suggest baking the cookies one tray at a time for optimal heat circulation in the oven while baking.

    Thicker Cookie

    After multiple recipe testing, we found that a thinner cookie with crunchier edges and sea salt complimented the California Brittle the best. But if you want a thicker cookie then increase the flour by ¼ cup or 31 grams.


    You can see in the cookie below it is thicker and not as deep golden brown.

    thicker california brittle cookies cooling on a light surface iwht a box of sees candy

    ★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

    Make sure to join our Newsletter and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

    Print

    Recipe Card

    clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
    hand holding california brittle cookie up to the camera

    Brittle Cookies

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Get ready to fall in love with these California Brittle Cookies. Filled with toffee and almond flavors and chunks of See's California Brittle, these cookies are impossible to resist! Step-by-step photos teach you how to bake this California Brittle Cookie recipe.

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 4oz (½ Cup) Browned Butter, that has been chilled and brought to room temperature*
    • 100 grams (½ Cup) Granulated Sugar
    • 125 grams (Heaping ½ Cup) Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 Large Egg + 1 Large Egg Yolk, at room temperature
    • 2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
    • ½ Teaspoon Almond Extract
    • 188 grams ( 1 ½ Cups) All-Purpose Flour*
    • ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
    • ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ Teaspoon Salt
    • 8oz See's California Brittle, chopped into small pieces

    Instructions

    1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a large bowl with a handheld mixer combine butter and sugars. Mix on medium for around 2 minutes, until light and fluffy, make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and the bottom of the bowl so everything combines, the color of the mixture will lighten as time goes on mixing.
    2. Add in the whole egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract making sure to mix until fully combined. Then stir in the additional egg yolk, mixing until no trace of egg yolk remains.
    3. In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold in dry ingredients then stir in the chopped California Brittle, do not over-stir!
    4. I use a large three tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop 9 large cookies. Place cookie balls on a parchment-lined pan covered with plastic wrap or in an air-tight container. Chill the cookie dough at least two hours or up to 48 hours. If you chill the cookie dough for longer than 2 hours let the dough sit out on the counter for 20 minutes before baking.
    5. Preheat oven to 350F/180C and if using, line your baking sheet with a silpat liner. Place 5 cookies on a half sheet backing tray inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Sprinkle sea salt on top and use a large cookie scoop or large mug to circle around the cookies to create a perfectly rounded cookie. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store at room temperature in an air-tight container.

    Notes

    *For a thicker cookie increase the flour by ¼ cup of 32 grams.

    • Author: Elizabeth Waterson I Confessions of a Baking Queen

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @confessionsofabakingqueen on Instagram and hashtag it #cbqbakes

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    You may also like

    Explore Recipes

    CookiesChocolate

    More Cookie Recipes

    • butter pecan cookies on a light surface.
      Toasted Butter Pecan Cookies
    • A plate of freshly baked pecan chocolate chip cookies with visible chocolate chips and pecan halves on top, arranged on a speckled ceramic plate on a cloth napkin.
      Chewy Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies on a light surface.
      White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
    • close up of broken in half fluffernutter cookie.
      Fluffernutter Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating ⭐ when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. I am incredibly grateful for your support! —xx Liz

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Jeanette says

      September 14, 2022 at 7:17 am

      Wow these look amazing!!! I’m wondering if I could make them into milk molasses?!?

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    elizabeth mixing frosting

    Hiya! I am Elizabeth Waterson, welcome to my treat-filled site. After spending 15 years in the restaurant industry and growing up baking, I wanted to share my love of baking with you all. My step-by-step tutorials will help you learn how to bake at home. Confessions of a Baking Queen (CBQ) has been featured in CBS LA, HuffPost Taste, BuzzFeed, Taste of Home, and more! Here you will find loads of sweet recipes with a few savory ones for good measure. Feel free to message me with any questions! Happy Baking! 

    More about me →

    Winter Favorites

    • A close-up of a slice of lemon cream cheese bundt cake with a light glaze on top, served on a white plate. The texture of the cake looks moist and dense, and part of the whole cake is visible in the background.
      Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake
    • A slice of creamy cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with bright yellow lemon curd and whipped cream, sits on a white plate. A fork holds a bite of cheesecake in the foreground, with lemons in the background.
      Fresh & Tangy No Bake Lemon Cheesecake
    • slice of lemon ricotta cake on a white plate with lemons and the whole cake on a light grey surface.
      Lemon Ricotta Cake
    • salted caramel apple crisp served in a white dish with ice cream on top
      Crisp Crumbles & Gooey Apples: This Caramel Apple Crisp Is Everything
    • Individual slices of lemon cheesecake bars on a marble counter with fresh lemons. One slice has a bight taken out of it.
      Lemon Cheesecake Bars
    • lemon curd cookies dusted in powdered sugar on a white plate on top of a stripped linen on a light surface with more lemons
      Lemon Curd Cookies
    • cut open orange olive oil cake on a white plate on a marble surface with a floral linen
      Orange Olive Oil Cake
    • spatula taking a slice of lemon olive oil cake on a brown marble surface with a blue linen
      Lemon Olive Oil Cake
    • slice of pear bundt cake cut against the full cake on a wire rack on a light brown surface with a blue and white linen, pear and coffee cup
      Moist Pear and Spice Bundt Cake
    • marshmallow topped hot chocolate in a large glass mug on a white marble surface next to chocolate chips, marshmallows and more hot chocolate
      Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
    • close up of a rib eye roast dinner on a white plate with a stripped blue linen on a light cream surface
      Juicy Ribeye Roast Made Easy
    • slice of lemon cream pie with whipped cream on top on a white plate on a blue linen on a light brown surface with a cup of coffee and lemons in the background
      Lemon Cream Pie

    Featured

    featured in confessions of a baking queen

    Footer

    Join the CBQ Community

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Join our Community on Social Media
    • Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest

    Check Out Google Web Stories

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Elizabeth
    • Contact

    Resources

    • The Best Baking Tools
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Brownie Recipes
    • Cake Recipes
    • Shop My Favorite Products & Tools

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting Confessions of a Baking Queen.

    Copyright © 2026 Confessions of a Baking Queen

    95 shares