I have the best neighbors. They’ve lived on my street for 20+ years and are always looking out for me and Sullie. They help me take care of her on crazy days, check in with me on a regular basis, watch out for the house while I’m gone all day or away on trips and are constantly giving me a key to my own house when I lock myself out (which happens more often than I’d like to admit). They’ve been extra great to me lately so I wanted to bake them something to show them my appreciation.
I initially thought cookies but then a bar sounded like more fun. I had chocolate chips and toffee bits in the pantry so I wanted a bar that combined the two. I found this recipe and knew I didn’t need to look any further.
You make a chocolate chip dough and then layer half of it in the pan and top it with toffee bits.
You scatter the toffee bits on top of the remaining dough and then into the oven it goes.
If you haven’t tried lining your baking dish with foil yet, you are missing out. It makes for the easiest removal from the pan and minimal cleanup.
These bars are by no means healthy but oh are they worth it. After my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars, these are probably my second favorite bars that I have ever baked. They are chewy and gooey with melted chocolate chips and the layer of toffee in the middle takes them over the edge. I will be baking these again and again!
Chocolate Chipe Toffee Bars
(Recipe source Smells Like Home, cookie bar base from The New Best Recipe)
Ingredients:
2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup cane or granulated sugar
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
3/4 cup toffee bits
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars together on medium-high heat until combined and fluffy. Add in egg, yolk and vanilla and continue to mix until just combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add in the dry ingredients. Careful not to overmix here. Add in chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Spread half of the dough in the baking dish and press down with a fork or your fingers. Sprinkle the toffee bits over the dough evenly and then crumble the remaining dough over it.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until they seem set and a toothpick comes out clean. Check the bars early and often because baking times will vary depending on what type of baking pan you use and your oven. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack. Let cool for 15 minutes. Remove foil from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Once bars are completely cooled, cut and serve or place in an airtight container.
