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Almond Crunch Toffee Bars

5 from 1 votes
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Raise your hand if your grandma used to call squares “dainties”.

If you just raised your hand, I’m going to guess that you’re from good hardy Canadian prairie stock or perhaps from the Midwestern part of the United States. Squares in my household growing up were “dainties” and dainties were associated with Christmas at my grandmother’s house more than any other food that I can remember, excepting her Christmas pudding, of course.

Three Pieces of Almond Crunch Toffee Bars in a White Plate

 

Mike has fond memories of travelling to my Grandma’s house for Christmas and enjoying what he called the “Christmas Tree of Happy.” My Grandma had a little Christmas tree platter that would stay loaded up with dainties the entire length of your visit at Christmas.

She would bake for months ahead of time, making sure that she had a freezer full of dainties to share with everyone.

Alas, the dainty has rather fallen by the wayside in favor of cookie and cupcakes, but to me, there is nothing like baking up a pan of squares for Christmas. In fact, you seldom see a wide variety of squares at any Christmas gathering, making them a unique addition to your dessert table.

This year I’m going to bake up more than a few dainties for Christmas, because I seriously love squares in all forms. They are usually easy, fast and hard to mess up.

These lovely squares were found on the back of a Heath toffee bag and you know what I always say about those recipes; they are usually fabulous.

These were certainly fabulous.

close up of Almond Crunch Toffee Bars

A decadent, rich shortbread base with toffee, chocolate chips and almonds baked on top.

They are also a chewy bar, which was a fabulous change from the norm. These are for the people who love a little jaw breaking when they have treats, like my Dad.

crunchy toffee bars - shortbread base with toffee, chocolate chips and almonds baked on top

I did change the recipe and replaced the coconut in the original recipe with chocolate chips instead. While I love coconut, my family doesn’t like it as much as I do. Plus. I mean, chocolate makes everything better.

close up of almond crunch toffee bars For a few more squares ideas I hit up the Life Made Delicious website and found a few gems;

Mississippi Mud Bars – Uses bisquick…..I’m intrigued…

Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars– You had me at chocolate and peanut butter.

Ultimate Turtle Cookie Bars : Yum.

So do you have any classic squares or  dainties that your family makes every year? Ours is date squares, also known as the Reason Mike Married Me squares. That man can eat a whole pan and stay skinny. Drives me crazy.

Happy Baking everyone! Have you started making your list of Christmas baking yet? Mine is, of course, a mile long but there is a ton of deliciousness coming your way on this site!

Love,

Karlynn

 

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Almond Crunch Toffee Bars

Chewy almond toffee bars, topped with chocolate with a delicious shortbread base.
5 from 1 votes
crunchy toffee bars - shortbread base with toffee, chocolate chips and almonds baked on top
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Course
Dessert
Cuisine
Bar
Servings
16
Calories
314
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/3 cups Heath Toffee Bits OR Skor bits
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup sliced almonds divided
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Grease sides of 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. 
  • Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. 
  • Gradually add flour, beating until well blended. 
  • Press dough evenly into prepared pan. 
  • Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. 
  • Meanwhile, combine toffee bits and corn syrup in medium saucepan. 
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until toffee is melted (about 10 to 12 minutes). Stir in 1/2 cup almonds. 
  • Spread toffee mixture to within 1/4-inch of edges of crust. 
  • Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup almonds and chocolate chips over the top. 
  • Bake an additional 15 minutes or until bubbly. 
  • Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 16g, Calories: 314kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 32mg, Sodium: 118mg, Potassium: 67mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 385IU, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1.1mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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  1. MmmisforMommy says

    Yum! These look similar to my pecan bars.. I want to give these a shot too 🙂

  2. Rambling Tart says

    This made me smile. 🙂 Yes, the women in my family called them dainties. 🙂

    • thekitchenmagpie says

      @Rambling Tart When I use the word dainties, it reminds me of my Grandma SO much. Makes me happy but miss her at the same time.

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