Nutty Chocolate Matzo Crunch Recipes

CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE MATZO BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange 2 oven racks in the center of the oven.
• Cover 2 baking sheets with a tight layer of aluminum foil, then place an additional sheet of foil on top. Spray the foil with nonstick spray as a precaution. Spread 2 pieces of matzo in a single layer on each of the baking sheets.
• In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves and becomes smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then shut off the heat.
• Use a large spoon to spread the brown sugar mixture over the matzo, coating the tops of all the squares. Bake until the sugar bubbles and browns, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• In a double boiler or microwave, gently melt the chocolate. Let the matzo cool 10 minutes, then use a rubber spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate over the brown sugar layer.
• While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle evenly with the pumpkin seeds, apricots, sprinkles and salt, if using. Cool in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
• Use a serrated knife to "saw" the bark into neat squares or break the matzo into pieces. I like to serve this treat from a cookie tin or a little basket to make it even more fun to eat.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL MATZO TOFFEE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, allowing it to go up and over the edges of the pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment. Arrange matzo over parchment in an even layer, breaking pieces to fit as necessary.
• In a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring butter and sugar to a boil, whisking, until thickened and smooth, about 3 minutes. The mixture may separate, and that is O.K. Stir in vanilla and salt. Quickly pour mixture over matzos. Transfer baking sheet to oven and bake until bubbly, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Sprinkle chocolate evenly over caramel and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Use an offset spatula to spread chocolate smoothly over surface of toffee. If you've used different kinds of chocolate, you can swirl them together decoratively.
• Immediately sprinkle melted chocolate with desired topping. Transfer baking sheet to refrigerator and chill toffee 1 hour to set chocolate. Break matzo toffee into large pieces for storing and serving.

CHOCOLATE COVERED MATZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; spray with cooking spray.
• Arrange matzo to fit into pan; break boards if necessary.
• Combine butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until boiling; boil for about 3 minutes.
• Pour butter mixture evenly over matzo.
• Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and immediately reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) if the matzo are smoking too much.
• Remove baking sheet from oven and sprinkle matzo with chocolate chips. Let stand to melt chocolate, 5 minutes.
• Spread the melted chocolate over matzo. Place in refrigerator until chilled and set. Break into pieces when cooled.

MY TRADEMARK, MOST REQUESTED, ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT CARAMEL MATZOH CRUNCH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large (or two smaller) cookie sheet completely with foil. Cover the bottom of the sheet with baking parchment - on top of the foil. This is very important since the mixture becomes sticky during baking.
• Line the bottom of the cookie sheet evenly with the matzohs, cutting extra pieces, as required, to fit any spaces.
• In a 3-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter or margarine and the brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil (about 2 to 4 minutes). Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and pour over the matzoh, covering completely.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 350°. Bake for 15 minutes, checking every few minutes to make sure the mixture is not burning (if it seems to be browning too quickly, remove the pan from the oven, lower the heat to 325°, and replace the pan).
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle immediately with the chopped chocolate or chips. Let stand for 5 minutes, then spread the melted chocolate over the matzoh. While still warm, break into squares or odd shapes. Chill, still in the pan, in the freezer until set.
• This makes a good gift.
• Variation:
• You can also use coarsely chopped white chocolate (or a combination of white and dark), and chopped or slivered toasted almonds (sprinkled on top as the chocolate sets). You can also omit the chocolate for a caramel-alone buttercrunch.