These Shortbread Toffee Bars are a modern take on a classic Tasha Tudor recipe. They're composed of a buttery shortbread base topped with rich chocolate and crunchy nuts. The twist? You can get creative with the chocolate.
Shortbread Toffee Bars Toppings
For fun, I topped half the bars with melted Dove milk chocolate and the other half with Ghirardelli Chocolate Covered Caramel Squares. The Dove melted beautifully into a smooth layer, while the Ghirardelli squares slowly sank into the warm shortbread and formed a gooey, chocolate-caramel top. Once chilled, the caramel set up nicely, giving those bars an almost candy-like finish.
You’ve probably seen variations of this recipe floating around for years, and I’m glad I finally gave it a try. It’s an ideal canvas for high-quality or flavored chocolate, especially if you are craving chocolate paired with something cookie-like.
And if you like corgis, here's a link to Tasha Tudor's Family Cookbook.
Recipe
Shortbread Toffee Bars
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (230 grams)
- 1 cup light or dark brown sugar (200 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour (260 grams)
- 8 oz good quality dark or milk chocolate chopped up (or some caramel squares)
- ½ cup almonds toasted and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 inch metal pan or line with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter, brown sugar, salt, egg yolk and vanilla. Stir in the flour. When flour is blended in, press the dough evenly into the baking pan..
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and set. Immediately cover with chopped chocolate. Return to the oven for 1 minute to soften chocolate.
- When the chocolate has softened, spread it with a knife and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Let set for about 20 minutes, then score and cut. For firmer bars, score, then chill before slicing.
Anna says
Hi Sarah,
I don't think the bake time will change too much. If I were you, I would check at about 23 minutes. My guess is they'll take 23-28 minutes.
sarah says
these sound so good i'm going to make a giant batch over the weekend. i'm multiplying it all by 6 and baking them in 3 jelly roll pans. how long do you think they should bake for? will it make a difference if i bake them all at once or not?
sandra says
these look great! ive always wanted to make my own toffee to give to friends for christmas gifts. i was comparing this recipe to your other "the best almond toffee ever" recipe. but i guess this one is more of a bar type thing than toffee. anyone have a preference between the 2?
amy says
Have you tried cracker cookies? Very similar, but with a cracker base instead. Girl...to die for! And way too easy.
Heidi says
I make the toffee candy from David Lebovitz but I never thought about making a similar cookie...
Tanya says
I make some very similar and they are so easy and so good! How's that puppy?
Janet says
I know what I am making today!!! Thanks, Anna! My mouth is watering just looking at them.
KAnn says
My Mom has been making these since shortly after she was married in 1956...they have been a treasured family recipe. My Mom preferred pecans and I use pecans or walnuts...the almonds sound good, too! We have always laughed looking at an old recipe cars that refers to using the large Hershey bar-the 29 cent one!
Average Jane Crafter says
Must. Have. Toffee. Bars.
😉
Anna says
I loved Katy's idea of using whole toasted almonds. The almonds are thick and crunchy and that seems to work well with the thick crust. Plus almonds are healthy....so that make the bars health food!
Katie, I think I've done that particular meme, but thanks for tagging me. Maybe I'll do it again.
BB, they're more like a chocolate covered shortbread than a blondie.
VG, yes! I wish I could satisfy that craving with just a piece of chocolate. I must have butter & sugar cravings too.
Lisa, I'm glad you got a chance to try the Levain's. I hope your break from baking goes by quickly. I need to take one, but if I did, what would I blog about?
Lisa says
These look great! Toffee is one of my favorite kinds of bars. Unfortunately, I am taking a break from baking for a few days but I did make one of your Levains copycats yesterday. They were outstanding!
VeggieGirl says
Looks like a super-delicious way to satisfy a chocolate craving!!
bakingblonde says
They look like a thin blondie! Yum!! I love that you covered them in chocolate and nuts, what a great combo!
Katie says
Tag, you're it!
Katy says
Bingo! that's how I make them and they're always a hit. And they look much fancier and more complicated than they actually are to make.