Betty Lou'S Pecan Toffee Bars
Sweet and crunchy pecan toffee bars feature semi-sweet chocolate and a buttery shortbread base, perfect for parties, holidays, or as a indulgent homemade treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (moderate).
- Grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan.
- Beat together butter and light brown sugar in a large mixer bowl until well mixed.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Stir in all-purpose flour until well blended.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden.
- Melt the semi-sweet chocolate and spread over the hot baked layer.
- Sprinkle pecan halves or chopped pecans over the chocolate layer.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar. If you're short on butter, you can substitute half of it with unsweetened applesauce for a lighter version. Make sure to let the chocolate layer cool slightly before adding the pecans to prevent them from sinking. This recipe is a great way to use pecans, similar to what you’d find in a Cincinnati Milling Machine Pecan Pie.
Serving Suggestions
These pecan toffee bars are perfect for a sweet treat alongside coffee or tea. You can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. They also pair beautifully with Lemon Fruit Sauce to Serve Over Fresh Fruit, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover pecan toffee bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to two weeks. To reheat, place a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften the chocolate, making it deliciously gooey again.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Betty Lou'S Pecan Toffee Bars contains roughly 986 calories, with 4g protein, 51g carbohydrates, and 84g fat. It is a good source of iron (10% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different nuts in this recipe?
Absolutely! While pecans are traditional, you can substitute with walnuts or almonds for a different flavor profile. Just ensure the nuts are chopped evenly to distribute them throughout the bars.
What can I do if I don’t have a jelly roll pan?
If you lack a jelly roll pan, a baking dish of similar size, like a 15 x 10-inch glass or ceramic dish, will work as well. Just adjust the baking time slightly, checking for doneness as the bars may take longer to bake in thicker pans.
Can I freeze the pecan toffee bars?
Yes, you can freeze these bars! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving for the best taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).