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Here’s a delicious recipe for Pecan Toffee Squares — a rich and buttery treat with a crunchy toffee layer, perfect for holiday baking or any time you want to indulge in a sweet, nutty dessert!
Pecan Toffee Squares Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Toffee Layer:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for drizzling on top)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Once baked, remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly.
2. Make the Toffee Layer:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Once the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved, let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. The toffee mixture will thicken slightly.
- Pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the baked crust, spreading it out with a spatula if necessary.
3. Add the Pecans:
- Sprinkle the pecan halves or chopped pecans evenly over the toffee layer, pressing them gently into the toffee so they stick.
4. Bake the Squares:
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until the toffee is bubbling and the pecans are toasted.
5. Optional Chocolate Drizzle:
- If you’d like to add a chocolate drizzle, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the cooled pecan toffee squares for a decorative and extra indulgent touch.
6. Cool and Slice:
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 30 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once completely cooled, cut them into squares or bars.
Tips:
- Storage: Store Pecan Toffee Squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be refrigerated if you prefer them chilled.
- Make-Ahead: You can make these squares ahead of time and store them for up to a week.
- Nut Substitutes: If you’re not a fan of pecans, you can substitute them with other nuts like walnuts or almonds.
These Pecan Toffee Squares are the perfect combination of buttery shortbread, crunchy pecans, and rich toffee. They’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or holiday celebration! Enjoy!