I had my first taste of these magic bars over Thanksgiving holiday while visiting family in Iowa. The hubs, Octavian and I had the fortune of staying with my Uncle Mark and Aunt Kay where we were introduced to these gorgeous Toffee Pecan Bars (also known as Auntie Kay Bars in my house).
Before my first bite of these magic bars I will admit that my exposure and knowledge of bars was quite limited. I always picked cookies or cake over bars and didn’t think of bars in terms of sweets or dessert. But my midwest relatives kept talking about bars and all I could think was what are these bars they keep talking about? So I finally asked them, “what are bars?”
They were horrified, you guys. HOW did I not know about bars? Of course, when they told me what they were, I realized I already knew, but having limited my dessert options over the years (options NOT consumption) had given me an entirely distorted sense of the word (granola bars, fruit bars, nut bars…you know healthy bars).
So, in a way, these bars changed my life. And oh my! It is so much better now!
So I made these bars earlier this week. Let’s just say, they were needed. Like, really really needed. Usually, whenever I make sweets I like to share. Sweets make people happy and it removes the temptation from my kitchen before I eat it all. There was no sharing this time.
There are two bars left.
Addicting is an understatement.
And it definitely doesn’t help that these bars are stupid easy to make. My new favorite party recipe!
Toffee Pecan Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup butter - softened
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk - one 14 ounce can
- 1 large egg
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 8 oz English Toffee Bits
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar. Cut in butter (by hand or in a food processor) until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Once ready, firmly place mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 15 minutes, or until top is nice a golden.
- Meanwhile, beat the condensed milk, egg, vanilla and salt in a large bowl until smooth. Gently fold in toffee bits, chocolate chips and pecans and spread evenly over pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Cool and chill before cutting. Store leftovers in refrigerator or in the freezer (my fav).
Nutrition
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
Hi Love the pics of these bars and I cant wait to try them. Here is my question, I cannot find English toffee, can I substitute some other can caramel candy for that and any suggestions for what I can use would be appreciated. Thanks.