.

When I was grocery shopping last week I spotted a bag of Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips (this is not a sponsored post) in the baking aisle. I’m a bit wary of Hershey products anymore because their chocolate has gone way downhill over the years, but I figured there was no chocolate in these chips and it would be fun to try something new.

Yesterday I remembered that I had them in the freezer and decided it was time for some experimenting. They were as easy as any other chocolate chip cookie to make, and while I was actually short half a cup of the oatmeal, I think they actually turned out better than if I’d used the full amount the recipe calls for. I did add half a cup of mini chocolate chips, and next time I’m going to try them with some chopped walnuts.

They flattened out a bit more than they normally would have because of the missing oatmeal, and though I’m not usually a fan of flattened, crispy chocolate chip cookies, these are pretty great!

These are perfect for a fall treat, and the cinnamon will make your kitchen smell amazing.

Keep an eye on them in the oven for the first batch of two — they brown up quickly.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies
adapted from Hershey’s

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 10 oz package Hershey Cinnamon Chips

Heat oven to 350° F.

Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, salt and baking soda; add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in oats and cinnamon chips (batter will be stiff). Drop by heaping teaspoons unto ungreased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen.

Though I’ve seen the bags of Hershey’s Heath Bar bits in the baking aisle at the store I’ve never really given them much thought and passed on by. However, the store I shop at was having a sale on them last week so I tossed a bag in my cart.

For the record, I’m not a big Hershey fan. Their chocolate quality has really gone down the tubes over the last several years which is one reason I haven’t bothered with their baking products. But the bag of Heath bar bits are mostly toffee with just small chunks of chocolate, and the chocolate doesn’t stand out much when baked anyway — these cookies are all about the peanut butter and toffee.

The recipe comes from Hershey though I upped the recommended 3/4 teaspoon of salt to 1 teaspoon because they’re peanut butter cookies (I had a pinch more with oatmeal cookies, too).

Before I sprinkled the bits on top of the cookies on the cookie sheet I flattened them a bit first with the back of a fork dipped in sugar (the sugar keeps the cookie from sticking to the fork) so the bits would stay on better. I don’t think this affected the outcome of the cookies since they still looked fantastic when they came out of the oven. The recipe below has my tweaks – the original is at Hershey’s site.

Warning: These cookies are highly addicting.

Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/3 cups (8 oz. package) Heath “Bits ‘O Brickle” Toffee Bits, divided

Heat oven to 375°.

Beat shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add egg; beat just until blended. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. Stir in 1 cup of bits; reserve remainder for topping.

Drop by heaping teaspoons or by using a 1-inch cookie scoop about 2 inches apart onto ungreased or parchment-lined cookie sheet; press the top of each cookie down slightly with a fork and top each with reserved bits.

Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until set. Do not overbake. Cool for two minutes and remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

 Print this recipe!