Dark Chocolate Toffee Bars

Light, buttery, crisp, and chocolaty.

These bars are comprised of a "crust layer" which is baked and then, while it's hot, spread with chocolate chips and topped with pecans.

They are delicious with a cup of coffee in the afternoon as you're wrapping presents.

Mix together crust ingredients and press them into a greased baking pan.

I like to sprinkle a little flour over the top of the crust. 

It helps to prevent the crust from sticking
to my fingers as I'm trying to spread it.

After the crust has baked for 20-25 minutes,

immediately empty a bag of chocolate chips over it. 

Return pan to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes.

(Set the timer to avoid disaster!)

Spread the soft chips evenly over the crust with a spatula.

Be sure to lick the spatula.

Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the chocolate.

Let cool completely in the pan.

Then cut into bars and serve to a happy crowd.

(Or package them as food gifts.)

Here's the printable recipe.

Dark Chocolate Toffee Bars
makes about 30 bars

Crust

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 egg yolk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping
12 ounces dark chocolate chips (or at least bittersweet)
1 cup shelled walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9 x 12-inch baking pan.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg yolk, beat well

Sift in flour and salt, mixing well, then stir in vanilla.

Spread batter in the prepared pan. 

Bake for 25 minutes.

Cover crust layer with chocolate chips and return to oven for 3 to 4 minutes. (Set the timer!)

Remove pan from oven and spread melted chocolate evenly with a spatula.  Sprinkle with nuts. 

Cool completely in pan before cutting.
 

From:  The Silver Palate Cookbook

Dark Chocolate Toffee Bars