Oh, the sweet allure of English toffee bars! I stumbled upon these golden delights during a rainy afternoon baking spree—who knew a crunchy, buttery treat could chase away the clouds? Imagine biting into a symphony of caramelized sugar and rich chocolate—it’s like a cozy blanket for your taste buds.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and position the rack in the middle. Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
- In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, blend butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until the mixture becomes fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Incorporate the egg yolk, then gradually add flour and salt, mixing until combined.
- Evenly press the prepared dough into the greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 22-25 minutes or until the base turns golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and immediately sprinkle milk chocolate chips over the hot base. Allow them to sit for 5 minutes to melt, then spread the chocolate evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle toffee bits or chopped nuts over the melted chocolate layer. Let the bars cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes until they are set, then slice and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of butter (either salted or unsalted)
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ? cup of milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup of toffee bits or chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 4096kcal | Carbohydrates: 480g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 224g | Saturated Fat: 128g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 32g | Monounsaturated Fat: 64g | Trans Fat: 32g | Cholesterol: 800mg | Sodium: 832mg | Potassium: 704mg | Fiber: 32g | Sugar: 288g | Vitamin A: 7296IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 352mg | Iron: 32mg
FAQ
- How should I store English Toffee Bars?
- To keep your English Toffee Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Can I freeze English Toffee Bars?
- Yes, these bars can be frozen. First, allow them to cool completely, then flash freeze by placing them on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- What type of chocolate should I use for topping?
- The recipe suggests using milk chocolate chips, but you can substitute with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. Some people prefer using 4-5 Hershey chocolate bars instead of chips.
- What can I use as a topping for Toffee Bars?
- Heath Toffee Bits are a popular choice, but you can also use chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts. Alternatively, you can break Heath Bars into pieces and sprinkle them on top.
- What size should I cut the bars into?
- For a nice serving size, it’s recommended to cut the bars into 32 pieces by making 8 slices on one side and 4 slices on the other.
Tips
- Prepare the baking pan by using non-stick cooking spray, butter, aluminum foil, or parchment paper to prevent the cookie base from sticking.
- Experiment with chocolate by replacing milk chocolate chips with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, or use 4-5 Hershey Chocolate bars for a different flavor profile.
- Customize the topping by using Heath Toffee Bits, chopped pecans, walnuts, or even leaving the topping off for a simpler version.
- To ensure easy cutting and serving, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing them into 32 pieces, cutting 8 slices on one side and 4 on the other.
Equipment
- Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer – Useful for creaming butter and sugar.
- 9 x 13-inch Baking Pan – Essential for baking the toffee bars.
- Offset Spatula – Helpful for spreading melted chocolate evenly over the cookie base.
- Wire Rack – Used for cooling the bars to room temperature.
