Rich, buttery, and indulgently sweet, Toffee Pecan Bars are the perfect treat for satisfying dessert lovers and impressing at gatherings. Their irresistible crunch and caramelized flavor are unforgettable.
Layers of tender shortbread, gooey toffee filling, and nutty pecans come together in each bite. These bars are effortless to make but taste like they came from a high-end bakery.
What You’ll Need for These Irresistible Toffee Pecan Bars
- All-purpose flour – Forms the sturdy, tender base for the buttery crust.
- Confectioners’ sugar – Adds subtle sweetness to balance the rich filling.
- Cold butter – Essential for a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread layer.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Creates the creamy, caramel-like body of the topping.
- Vanilla extract – Rounds out the sweetness with warm, aromatic depth.
- English toffee bits – Deliver bold, buttery crunch and toffee richness in every bite.
- Chopped pecans – Provide nutty texture and balance the sweetness with earthy depth.
- Large egg – Binds the filling, ensuring a rich and cohesive layer.
How to Make These Toffee Pecan Bars (In a Nutshell!)
Start by creating the buttery shortbread crust—just flour, sugar, and cold butter pressed into a pan and baked until lightly golden. While it bakes, stir together the condensed milk, egg, vanilla, toffee bits, and pecans.
Spread this luscious mixture over the warm crust and bake again until the top is set and golden. Chill until firm, then slice into delicious, chewy-crunchy squares that disappear fast!
Sweet Success: Tips for Perfect Toffee Pecan Bars
For the crust, using cold butter is crucial—it creates that signature crumbly texture. Don’t overwork it; a few pulses with a pastry blender or fork will do. Press the mixture firmly into the pan so it holds its shape.
Let the bars cool fully before slicing—chilling not only firms up the filling but makes the bars easier to cut cleanly. For extra indulgence, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the top or sprinkle with sea salt for a gourmet twist.
If you’re out of pecans, try walnuts or almonds, and if you want a bit more chew, a handful of mini chocolate chips won’t hurt!
Keep ‘Em Fresh: Storing Toffee Pecan Bars
Toffee Pecan Bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to four days, or refrigerated for a week if you prefer them extra firm. For longer storage, freeze in a single layer before stacking with parchment paper between them. Thaw at room temp or enjoy slightly chilled straight from the fridge for a firmer bite.
Toffee Pecan Dream Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 large egg brought to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cold butter diced
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 package English toffee bits 10 oz or almond brickle chips (7.5 oz)
- 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the flour with the confectioners’ sugar and cut in the cubed butter until the mixture takes on a coarse, crumbly texture.
- Press the prepared crust mixture evenly into a greased 13×9-inch baking dish and place in the oven for 15 minutes to pre-bake.
- While the crust bakes, whisk together the egg, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Gently fold in the toffee bits and chopped pecans until evenly combined.
- Once the crust has partially baked, remove it from the oven and evenly distribute the toffee-nut topping across the surface.
- Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for 24 to 26 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the refrigerator until firm before slicing into squares.
