Shortbread Toffee Bars Recipes

ENGLISH TOFFEE SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• Line a 9×13 baking pan with foil.
• Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, flour and salt just until combined. Mix will be a tad crumbly.
• Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the lined pan. Bake for 15 minutes just shortbread is lightly brown. Remove from oven.
• Meanwhile, combine sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour over shortbread and put back into the oven to bake for another 15-18 minutes. You want the caramel middle just to be set. Remove from oven.
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips (*reserving 1/4 cup) over the bars. Wait 2 minutes and then spread the melted chocolate in an even layer over the bars. Immediately sprinkle with toffee bits and walnuts.
• If desired, melt the reserved 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle over the bars- this is simply for aesthetics- so only take the extra step if you're feeling it! Let bars completely cool before cutting into 24 bars.

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. To make the crust, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
• Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Alternatively, place the butter in a large bowl and use a hand mixer. Beat for 3 minutes, or until the butter is smooth. Add the brown and granulated sugars and beat for an additional 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix briefly.
• Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture. Beat in gradually (you can cover the bowl and your mixer with a towel to avoid flour flying all over the place or just mix in very slowly). Mix until the flour is almost incorporated. Add the 3 ounces of chocolate to the mixer and mix until the rest of the dry ingredients are incorporated. Do not overmix!
• Line a 9 X 13-inch pan with foil, leaving long foil ends on the side. Lightly grease the foil.
• Scrape the dough into the prepared pan and press down the mixture with a spatula and/or your fingertips. Bake the crust for 18-20 minutes, or until the crust is bubbling. Remove the crust from the oven and place the hot pan on a cooling rack.
• Sprinkle the 6 ounces of chocolate over the hot bars and cover the pan with foil to let the chocolate melt. Let the pan sit for 5 minutes. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the softened chocolate over the crust. Sprinkle the toffee pieces (or cut up Heath bars) over the chocolate and press down gently with your fingers.
• Let the bars cool to room temperature. If the chocolate is not set by the time the bars are cool, just pop the pan in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Using the long edges of foil as handles, lift the bars out of the pan and cut into bars.

RECIPE: IRISH SHORTBREAD TOFFEE BARS

Steps:

• Make the shortbread: Arrange the rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. (Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer and large bowl.) Beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the flour and beat on low speed until crumbly, making sure not to over-mix the dough.
• Transfer to an 8x11-inch baking dish. Bake until light golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Place on a wire rack.
• Make the toffee: Place the butter, sugar, condensed milk, and maple syrup in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue to boil, stirring, until thickened and golden brown (but not burned), 5 to 7 minutes. Pour over the shortbread layer. (If you love caramel flavor, use all of the sauce, or use less for a thinner layer.) Let sit until set, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Melt the chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat. Pour over the cooled caramel layer and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with sea salt (if using), and cool completely. Cut into 12 pieces before serving.

TERRIFIC TOFFEE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Beat butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk in a large bowl; stir in flour and salt. Press dough into prepared baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven until crust is light brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crust. Let stand until soft, about 5 minutes, and spread evenly; sprinkle with nuts. Cool pan on wire rack for 30 minutes.