Toad in the Hole: A quirky name for a dish that’s anything but! Have you ever wondered how sausages nestled in a puffy, golden batter got such an unusual moniker? Some say it resembles toads peeking out of holes, but whatever the origin, this classic British bake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
This savory delight has been warming hearts and filling bellies in the UK since at least the 18th century. Originally a way to stretch out expensive meat, resourceful cooks created a simple batter pudding to accompany sausages, making a little meat go a long way. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of home cooking and a delicious example of comfort food at its finest.
What makes Toad in the Hole so irresistible? It’s the perfect combination of textures: crispy, golden Yorkshire pudding-like batter surrounding juicy, flavorful sausages. The savory richness is incredibly satisfying, and it’s a dish that’s both easy to make and impressive to serve. Whether you’re looking for a hearty family dinner or a comforting weekend lunch, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. Plus, it’s endlessly adaptable use your favorite sausages, add herbs to the batter, or serve it with a rich onion gravy for an extra layer of flavor. Get ready to experience a taste of British culinary history with every delicious bite!
Ingredients:
- For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but highly recommended!)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles, plus more for topping
- For the Frosting:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Rainbow sprinkles, for topping
Preparing the Cookie Dough:
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Don’t rush this step! Properly creaming the butter and sugar is crucial for achieving that soft, chewy texture we’re after. You want it to be almost like whipped cream in consistency.
- Add the Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). The almond extract really elevates the flavor, giving it that signature Crumbl taste, but it’s totally optional if you’re not a fan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is important for proper leavening and flavor.
- Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. So, add about a third of the dry ingredients, then half of the sour cream, then another third of the dry ingredients, the remaining sour cream, and finally the last of the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Stir in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the ½ cup of rainbow sprinkles. You want to distribute them evenly throughout the dough without overworking it.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough is essential! It allows the gluten to relax, which results in a softer cookie. It also prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Baking the Cookies:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Parchment paper is your best friend when baking cookies! It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Scoop the Dough: Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. These cookies spread a bit, so give them some room to breathe.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven. You want them to be slightly underbaked for that soft, chewy texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting:
- Cream the Butter: In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the softened butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined. This prevents a powdered sugar explosion!
- Add Milk and Vanilla: Add the milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Frosting and Decorating:
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them generously with the prepared frosting. You can use a knife, spatula, or piping bag to apply the frosting.
- Add Sprinkles: Immediately sprinkle the frosted cookies with rainbow sprinkles. The sprinkles will adhere best if you add them while the frosting is still wet.
- Set the Frosting: Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before serving. This will help prevent the sprinkles from falling off.
Tips for Success:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best results. This helps them emulsify properly, creating a smoother batter and a more tender cookie.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much and for developing the flavor.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cookie, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chips: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a chocolatey twist.
- Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped nuts to the cookie dough for added texture and flavor.
- Different Extracts: Experiment with different extracts, such as lemon extract or orange extract, to change the flavor of the cookies.
- Food Coloring: Add food coloring to the frosting to create different colored cookies.
Conclusion:
This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s a guaranteed happiness generator! Seriously, these Crumbl Confetti Cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves a soft, chewy, and utterly delightful treat. The combination of the vanilla-infused dough, the burst of colorful sprinkles, and that creamy, dreamy frosting is simply irresistible. I know I’ve made a lot of cookies in my day, but these have quickly become a new favorite, and I have a feeling they’ll become one of yours too.
Why are they a must-try? Because they’re incredibly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. The recipe is straightforward, the ingredients are readily available, and the results are consistently amazing. Plus, who can resist a cookie that looks this festive? They’re perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a random Tuesday when you need a little pick-me-up. Forget store-bought cookies; these homemade delights are on a whole other level of deliciousness.
But the best part? You can totally customize them to your liking! Feeling adventurous? Try adding a dash of almond extract to the dough for a subtle nutty flavor. Or, swap out the vanilla frosting for a chocolate ganache for an extra decadent experience. You could even incorporate different types of sprinkles think pastel shades for Easter, red and green for Christmas, or even themed sprinkles for a specific party.
Serving Suggestions and Variations:
* Serve them warm, straight from the oven, with a tall glass of cold milk. It’s a classic combination for a reason!
* Crumble them over ice cream for a fun and festive sundae topping.
* Pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet surprise.
* Use them to make ice cream sandwiches the possibilities are endless!
* For a more sophisticated twist, try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the frosting. The saltiness will enhance the sweetness and create a truly unforgettable flavor.
* If you’re not a fan of frosting, you can totally skip it! The cookies are delicious on their own.
* Consider adding white chocolate chips to the dough for an extra layer of sweetness and texture.
* For a gluten-free version, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
I truly believe that baking is a form of therapy, and these Crumbl Confetti Cookies are the perfect recipe to de-stress and unleash your inner baker. They’re fun to make, delicious to eat, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
So, what are you waiting for? Preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake up a batch of these amazing cookies. I promise you won’t regret it! And once you’ve tried them, I’d love to hear about your experience. Did you make any variations? Did you serve them to rave reviews? Share your photos and stories in the comments below! I can’t wait to see your creations. Happy baking! I am confident that you will love this recipe for Crumbl Confetti Cookies.
Crumbl Confetti Cookies: The Ultimate Guide to Baking Perfection
Soft, chewy sugar cookies packed with colorful sprinkles and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups confetti sprinkles, plus more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the sprinkles.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Notes
- If you don’t have cake batter extract, you can substitute with vanilla extract.
- For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
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