Toffee Cookie Bars

June 8, 2026 by Lisia Childs
Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe

With a simple browned butter shortbread cookie base, and pure chocolate and pecan topping, toffee cookie bars are a rich, delicious treat.

Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe

They’re easy to make, but some of the steps require waiting.

Recipe for Toffee Cookie Bars

Just plan ahead because they’re worth it.

Homemade Toffee Cookie Bars
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Easy Step-By-Step Instructions for Toffee Cookie Bars

Recipe for Toffee Cookie Bars
Brown the butter by doing the following:
Melt 1 cup butter over medium heat (be sure to unwrap it, which the photo doesn’t show), stirring frequently. It will start to bubble. Stir constantly, and watch closely as it will begin to turn golden and then brown. Remove from heat, and allow to cool. You may want to place in fridge for 10 minutes to help it come back to a solid state, but watch and stir it frequently. Bring it to the texture of softened butter. If it gets too cold in the fridge, you’ll need to let it come back to room temperature.
Recipe for homemade Toffee Cookie Bars
Chop 2 cups chocolate of your choice (or use chocolate chips) and 1 cup pecans. Set aside.
Toffee Cookie Bars recipe
Line a heavy 13 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. These are the aluminum pans that I use, and you can also grab some parchment here.
Recipe for homemade Toffee Cookie Bars
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups minus 1 Tablespoon flour and ½ teaspoon salt. If you’re looking for some great bowls that work for both cooking and storing, here’s a link to my favorite Pyrex mixing bowls.
Recipe for homemade Toffee Cookie Bars
In another medium-size bowl cream 1 cup room temperature browned butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 room temperature egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Recipe for homemade Toffee Cookie Bars
Add dry ingredients to wet, and mix just long enough to combine (you may need to use your hands because it will be pretty thick).
Recipe for Toffee Cookie Bars
Spread dough in prepared pan, and flatten with hands.
Recipe for homemade Toffee Cookie Bars
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden.
Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe
Place pan on cooling rack, and immediately cover with 2 cups chocolate. When the chocolate has melted, spread evenly. You could stop there, or …
Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe
… take it up a notch by topping with 1 cup chopped pecans and sprinkling with flaky sea salt.
Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe
Allow to cookie base to cool completely and chocolate to set.
Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe
Cut into squares. and …
Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe

… ENJOY!

Free Printable Recipe for Toffee Cookie Bars

Homemade Toffee Cookie Bars Recipe

Toffee Cookie Bars

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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter browned and returned to solid room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups minus 1 Tablespoon flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chopped chocolate of your choice or chocolate chips. I prefer dark chocolate.
  • 1 cup chopped pecans optional
  • Flaky sea salt optional

Method
 

  1. To brown the butter, melt over medium heat, stirring frequently. It will start to bubble. Stir constantly, and watch closely as it will begin to turn golden and then brown. Remove from heat, and allow to cool. You may want to place in fridge for 10 minutes to help it come back to a solid state. Stir it frequently. You want it to be the texture of softened butter.
  2. Chop chocolate and nuts.
  3. Line a heavy 13 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment, and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
  5. In another medium-size bowl cream butter with brown sugar, egg, and vanilla.
  6. Add dry ingredients to wet, and mix just long enough to combine (you may need to use your hands).
  7. Spread dough in prepared pan, and flatten with hands. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden. Place pan on cooling rack, and immediately cover with chocolate. When the chocolate has melted, spread evenly and top with chopped pecans. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if desired. Allow to cool completely and chocolate to set.
  8. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

Cut into squares and enjoy.
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