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Easy Toffee Almond Bars are simple shortbread bars with a light toffee flavor topped with chocolate and almonds! They can be made ahead and freeze well!
Sometimes there’s a recipe that you make over and over again not only because it tastes so good but because of it’s story. That’s what makes it a tradition I suppose and for me, one of those recipes is for these Easy Toffee Almond Bar Cookies. I’ve been making them for over 15 years and not only are they a favorite of my family and everyone I share them with, they are a must have at the holidays because of their story.
You see, I have a December baby and when I was pregnant I REALLY wanted to bake something for the holidays but knew I couldn’t manage a lot of bending and standing for a long time. So I looked for a bar cookie and these were it. The recipe is originally from one of those mini-Gold Medal holiday recipe books you find on the newsstands. I love a good, simple bar cookie and just about anything toffee flavored so these fit the bill nicely. Turns out my father-in-law really enjoyed them too as I had baked them right before delivery…and he enjoyed them when he came to meet his new grandchild!
These are so simple, that it’s easy to make several batches and are so pretty when wrapped up in holiday containers. I think they look especially nice when put in a simple clear cellophane bag (I buy them at a craft story like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s) and tied up with a pretty bow! These Easy Toffee Almond Bar Cookies freeze well too. What more could you ask for? I hope you enjoy them too!
Easy Toffee Almond Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350ºF.
- In large bowl, cream softened butter using electric mixer or rubber spatula.
- Add brown sugar and beat on medium speed until combined.
- Add vanilla extract and egg yolk and mix to combine.
- Add in flour and salt and mix until just blended.
- Press dough in ungreased pan, 13x9x2 inches. Use a rubber spatula or your fingers to completely spread to edges of pan.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until very light brown (crust will be soft).
- Remove pan from oven and immediately sprinkle milk chocolate chips on warm baked crust. Let stand about 5 minutes or until chips are softened (they will look a little shiny, that's when you know they are softened). Using a knife or small spatula, spread melted chocolate chips evenly on crust until fully covered.
- Sprinkle with sliced almonds.
- Cool 30 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Then, while still slightly warm, cut into bars, 4 rows by 6 rows.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared in October 2012. I have updated the photos and the post to share again with you all!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen
The look amazing and are easy! Wonderful treat for this week. No wonder you all liked them!
Hezzi-D
Wow these look awesome! I’ll be putting these on my Christmas baking list or sure!
avril
Perfect holiday bars Brenda! – one of my all time favs 🙂
Helen
those look delisious! of course anything involving chocolate has to be good lol!
Helen
Trisha
These look delicious. I love anything toffee. Thanks for hosting this party Brenda.
Dawn
These look amazing! I can’t wait to try these! Thanks so much for organizing this!
Pam @ The Meltaways
these look delicious! I was born in December & the year my Mom had me she baked all of her cookies for Christmas early & put them in the freezer. While she was in the hospital, my older brother and Grandfather ate them all!
Melissa
I love toffee and making them into bars is a great time saver. I’m loving the Weekly Treats! Thanks so much for hosting – glad to be a part!
Alida's Kitchen
These look fantastic! Easy and freezer friendly is a bonus 🙂
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
I love anything toffee, and bar cookies are one of my favorite. These look great!
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction
These look so easy and delicious. I’m going to add them to my Christmas cookie list.
Carrie @ poet in the pantry
Yum, those sound delicious! And very easy!
Laurie
These are one of my favorites!
baker street
I’m a fan of toffee anything and these look divine, Brenda! So glad to be a part of the group this week. Thanks for hosting such a fun event. 🙂
Sarah
My mom has been making these for years and years! They are my all time very favorite bar cookie. I think her recipe is named “Hershey Bars” but they’re the same recipe. I don’t eat too much for sweets anymore, but I could easily polish off several of these in one sitting, they’re so good!
Heidi
These look so good. Great recipe. Thanks for posting.
Exede
Minnie(@thelady8home)
O Wow!!! Thats something to drool upon. 😀 Fabulous one.
And do make sure to join my dinner extravaganza. 🙂
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
I love a good, simple bar cookie too. These sound scrumptious!
Mary@SiftingFocus
So sorry I missed the opportunity to join the Twelve Days of Christmas blog hop. I just happened upon Baked Bree’s post linking me here. It sounds fun. I’ll look forward to all the delicious cookies recipes that everyone will share this year and maybe next year I can join in on all the fun.
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Mary, It’s not too late! You can join anytime…just fill out the form so I have your contact inf. Glad you found the hop and are enjoying the recipes!