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Last summer, I discovered the most incredible cookie at a small bakery downtown. They called it a “White Chocolate Trash Cookie,” and honestly, the name didn’t sound appealing. But one bite changed everything. The combination of sweet white chocolate, salty pretzels, and buttery toffee bits created pure magic.
I immediately knew I had to recreate these cookies at home. After several attempts tweaking ratios and techniques, I finally nailed it. These White Chocolate Trash Cookies are now a staple in my kitchen. My family devours them within hours of baking.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Using Bisquick as the base saves time without sacrificing flavor. The mix-ins create incredible texture contrasts that make each bite exciting. Sweet white chocolate balances the salty crunch of pretzels perfectly.
What makes these cookies truly special is the “trash” element. Like the famous trash cake, these cookies embrace the idea that sometimes the best treats come from mixing unexpected ingredients. The pretzels add that perfect salty crunch. The toffee bits provide caramel sweetness. The white chocolate ties everything together beautifully.
I’ve made these cookies for birthday parties, bake sales, and holiday gatherings. They disappear faster than any other dessert I bring. People always ask for the recipe, which is why I’m sharing it with you today.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies:
- Quick and easy using Bisquick mix
- Perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors
- Incredible texture from multiple mix-ins
- Great for any occasion
- Freezer-friendly dough for quick treats later
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients and Instructions
Ingredients Table
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brown sugar | ⅔ cup | Packed for best texture |
| White sugar | ⅓ cup | Granulated sugar works best |
| Butter | ½ cup | Softened to room temperature |
| Egg | 1 large | Room temperature preferred |
| Bisquick | 2¾ cups | Original Bisquick mix |
| Vanilla extract | 2 tsp | Pure vanilla recommended |
| White chocolate chips | ⅔ cup | High-quality chips preferred |
| Toffee bits | ½ cup | Heath or Skor bits work well |
| Pretzels | ½ cup | Chopped into small pieces |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Kitchen Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even browning. Set your baking sheets aside while you prepare the dough.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This creaming process creates the perfect cookie texture.
Pro Tip: Make sure your butter is properly softened. It should give slightly when pressed but not be melted. Room temperature butter creams better with sugars.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should look smooth and cohesive. Don’t overmix at this stage, as it can make cookies tough.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Gradually add the Bisquick mix to your wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. The dough will look slightly different from traditional cookie dough due to the Bisquick.
Step 5: Fold in Mix-ins Gently fold in the white chocolate chips, toffee bits, and chopped pretzels. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula for this step. Distribute the mix-ins evenly throughout the dough.
Step 6: Shape and Bake Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Space cookies about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This prevents breaking while they’re still soft. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Tips, Storage, and FAQs
Expert Tips for Perfect Results
Pretzel Preparation: Break pretzels into small, bite-sized pieces rather than crushing them completely. You want some texture and crunch in every bite. I prefer using mini pretzels broken by hand.
Mix-in Distribution: Add mix-ins gradually while folding to ensure even distribution. This prevents all the good stuff from sinking to the bottom of your bowl.
Cookie Size Consistency: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies that bake evenly. A medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) works perfectly for this recipe.
Storage Solutions: These cookies stay fresh for up to one week in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to three months.
Make-Ahead Option: You can freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Texture Tips: For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them. For crispier cookies, bake an additional 1-2 minutes until edges are golden brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I substitute regular flour for Bisquick?
A: While Bisquick gives these cookies their unique texture, you can substitute with 2¾ cups all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Q: What if I can’t find toffee bits?
A: You can substitute with chopped Heath bars, butterscotch chips, or even mini caramel chips. The goal is adding that sweet, buttery flavor element to complement the salty pretzels.
Q: Can I use milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?
A: Absolutely! Milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips work wonderfully. Dark chocolate creates a more sophisticated flavor profile if you prefer less sweetness.
Q: How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
A: Make sure your butter isn’t too warm when mixing. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can also help maintain shape during baking.
Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes! Substitute the regular Bisquick with gluten-free Bisquick. Ensure your other ingredients (especially toffee bits and chocolate chips) are certified gluten-free.
Recipe Variations to Try
Double Chocolate Version: Replace white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips and add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the Bisquick.
Peanut Butter Twist: Add ½ cup peanut butter chips and replace half the pretzels with chopped peanuts.
Holiday Special: Use red and green chocolate chips during Christmas, or pastel chips for Easter celebrations.
These White Chocolate Trash Cookies prove that sometimes the best recipes come from unexpected combinations. The sweet and salty balance, combined with varied textures, creates an irresistible treat. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies deliver every time.
The next time you’re craving something special, remember this recipe. Your family and friends will thank you for introducing them to these amazing cookies. Happy baking!
White Chocolate Trash Cookies
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 large egg
- 2¾ cups Bisquick mix
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup toffee bits
- ½ cup pretzels chopped into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add Bisquick mix, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Gently fold in white chocolate chips, toffee bits, and chopped pretzels using a wooden spoon.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Notes
Break pretzels into bite-sized pieces rather than crushing completely
For chewier cookies, slightly underbake; for crispier cookies, bake 1-2 minutes longer
Store in airtight container for up to 1 week
Cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months – bake from frozen adding 1-2 extra minutes
Substitute regular Bisquick with gluten-free version for gluten-free cookies
