Toffee Squares |
This is another of those always-popular cookie-exchange selections: Toffee-laced squares appeal to just about everyone. Dress them up
a little by weaving lengths of gold metallic ribbon through the stacked cookies. To heighten the toffee flavor, substitute toffee baking bits for half of the chopped almonds. Makes 48 squares.
Ingredients
Crust:- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 7 to 8 ounces milk chocolate, broken into pieces, or 1½ cups milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped almonds, toasted
Directions
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment.
2 Prepare the crust. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla, and salt. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour just until mixed. The dough will be stiff. Pat the dough evenly over the bottom of the baking pan.
3 Bake in the center of the oven until pale gold on top, about 20 minutes.
4 Remove the pan from the oven and scatter the chocolate pieces evenly over the crust. Return the pan to the oven for 1 minute. Remove the pan again and, using a knife, spread the chocolate evenly over the crust. Sprinkle evenly with the almonds.
5 Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Using a sharp knife, cut into small squares, then carefully remove from the pan with a small offset spatula or an icing spatula.
Excerpted from Very Merry Cookie Party: How to Plan and Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange by Barbara Grunes & Virginia Van Vynct. Excerpted by permission of Chronicle Books
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Marguerite | November 25, 2010 at 6:44 pm - §
This recipe could use darker (healthier) chocolate - it's also unfortunate that the nutritional and caloric content is never given - our children are getting heavier and unhealthy - give us healthy recipes please
Jessica | December 10, 2011 at 10:05 am - §
You know that it's a cookie exchange, right? I know that the other comment was made a year ago, but still, I really appreciate someone offering their baking experience and wisdom to the rest of us for free, when they don't even have to. I get the trend towards healthy foods, but really. Rather than complain about someone's awesome recipe, which they are giving out for free, go find another one that suits you. I think this recipe sounds yummy, and it is perfect for Christmas, which I am using it for. I can't wait to try it- 10 batches, here I come, lol.