Easy Toffee Bars Recipe

If you are looking for a quick and easy dessert or Christmas cookie tray recipe, then you will love this toffee bars recipe. A sweet and crunchy dessert made with just a few common ingredients.

Best of all it is a simple recipe that even the novice baker can master. Simply mix everything together and spread it in a baking dish.

Once the toffee base is set all you have to do is add the chocolate and place it back in the oven to melt. Then sprinkle chopped nuts on top and let the bars cool.

That is it! A simple to make recipe that is a huge hit every holiday season.

It is a fantastic recipe when you have little time to spend in the kitchen, but want to make a tasty treat for your family and friends.

I make these toffee bars every year to add to my Christmas cookie trays. Then I set them out at holiday parties for everyone to enjoy.

However they also make for a great edible gift to give to friends, teachers and other service workers. Simply wrap the bars in a plastic or in a cellophane baggie and secure it with a gift tag.

Tips For Making These Easy Toffee Bars

Although these bars are easy to make, there are a few tips to make sure that they turn out perfect every time. And it all starts with the butter.

1. Soften The Butter

Before ever starting this recipe, you must let the butter soften to room temperature. Depending on the temperature of your house, this will take approximately 1 hour for butter to soften on the kitchen counter.

However, there is faster way to get the butter to soften if you are in a hurry. Take a large microwavable glass and fill it with water.

Then place the glass in the microwave and heat the water for 1 minute. Carefully empty out the water and place the warm glass over the top of a stick of butter that is set upright on its edge.

After 5 minutes, remove the glass and let it continue to soften for an additional 10 minutes. The butter is ready when it is soft but not yet melting.

2. Whisk The Flour

Although you may be tempted to measure and place the dry ingredients in a bowl, there is one important step that is required when making these easy toffee bars.

Before adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, you must first whisk the flour and salt together. Whisking not only helps remove any clumps in the flour and salt, but it also allows air flow between the particles and adequate distribution of the combined ingredients.

3. Pick The Right Size Baking Dish

The size of the baking dish does matter. If you would like a larger quantity of toffee bars, then be sure to use an 8 x 11 inch baking dish.

However, if you would like thicker bars use a 9 inch square pan instead.

4. Use Parchment Paper

Although you could grease the baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter, I find it is best to use parchment paper to line the baking dish.

Not only does it prevent the toffee bars from sticking to the dish, it also makes it easy to remove the bars from the baking pan before cutting.

Just be sure to let the parchment paper overhang on two of the edges. Then when the bars are cool and ready to be cut, simply lift up on the paper and place it on a cutting surface.

Now you can use a sharp knife to easily cut them into pieces. Not to mention, clean up is a breeze!

5. Use Mini Chocolate Chips

The toffee bars chocolate topping is best made with mini chocolate chips. That is because the smaller pieces of chocolate will melt faster when placed back in the oven.

Although you could also use whole chocolate bars as the topping, I prefer the consistency and spreadability of the mini chocolate chips.

You can find the smaller chips in the same aisle as the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Just be sure to double check the bag when you purchase them as they often get misplaced on the grocery store shelves.

Quick & Easy Homemade Toffee Bars

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, or substitute another type of nut

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 8 x 11 inch rectangular pan with baking spray or line with parchment paper.

In a small bowl whisk together flour and salt, set aside. In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar together until smooth.

Beat in egg yolk and vanilla extract. Slowly mix in flour/salt mixture.

Press dough into the prepared baking dish and bake for 15 minutes or until set. Immediately remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and return to the oven for two minutes.

Spread The Chocolate

Remove the pan from the oven and use an offset spatula to spread the chocolate evenly over the top.

When you start the spreading process the chocolate will most likely start to stick to your spatula.  The chocolate will come up in clumps and pull away away from the toffee bar base.

Do not panic.  Keep working at it and it will eventually melt down enough to allow you to spread it evenly across the top.

Then sprinkle the chopped pecans on top of the chocolate, slightly pressing them down into the layer of chocolate so that they stick.

Once the nuts have been sprinkled on top, place the pan on cooling rack. Once cool, lift up on the parchment paper and set the entire section on a large cutting board.

Using a sharp knife and cut into 2 inch sections.

Enjoy! Mary

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Other Non-Cookie Christmas Cookie Tray Recipes

If you are looking for other items to add to your Cookie Tray (that aren’t cookies) be sure to check out some of my favorite additions:

• Ritz Cracker Cookies
• Monster Cookie Bites
• Homemade Peppermint Patties
• Easy Peanut Brittle
• 3 Ingredient Fudge
• Easy Christmas Fudge

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