Almond Toffee Shortbread Recipes

ENGLISH TOFFEE SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• Line a 9×13 baking pan with foil.
• Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, flour and salt just until combined. Mix will be a tad crumbly.
• Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the lined pan. Bake for 15 minutes just shortbread is lightly brown. Remove from oven.
• Meanwhile, combine sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour over shortbread and put back into the oven to bake for another 15-18 minutes. You want the caramel middle just to be set. Remove from oven.
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips (*reserving 1/4 cup) over the bars. Wait 2 minutes and then spread the melted chocolate in an even layer over the bars. Immediately sprinkle with toffee bits and walnuts.
• If desired, melt the reserved 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle over the bars- this is simply for aesthetics- so only take the extra step if you're feeling it! Let bars completely cool before cutting into 24 bars.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED ALMOND TOFFEE BARS

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spread nuts on a baking tray and bake until toasted, 10 to 15 minutes, turning nuts after 7 to 8 minutes to ensure even toasting. Cool and chop coarsely. You should have about 2 cups. Set aside. Clean baking tray and coat with vegetable oil or vegetable oil spray. Spray both sides of the offset spatula with vegetable oil spray. Set aside.
• Make the toffee: Place sugar in a small deep saucepan. Add the corn syrup and water or rum and, over medium heat, bring to a boil. Let boil until large bubbles form on the surface, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover with foil and boil 5 minutes longer.
• Add the pieces of butter and continue cooking, uncovered, over medium heat until temperature reaches 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 30 minutes. (The candy thermometer has a clip on the side that can be slid up or down. If desired, you can fit the thermometer on the side of the pan, making sure that it rests in the mixture, not on the bottom of the pan, so that the reading is accurate.) Remove from heat and immediately add the salt, baking soda, and 1 cup of chopped nuts. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.
• Pour the toffee mixture on the oiled baking tray and, using the offset spatula, spread the mixture out, making a block about 10 by 13 inches. The toffee will thicken very quickly, so work as fast as you can. When cool, blot some of the oil or vegetable spray with a clean towel.
• While the toffee mixture is cooling, melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl placed over simmering water. When almost melted, turn off heat and let the chocolate continue to melt, stirring occasionally. Keep warm.
• When you can lift up the block of toffee, transfer it to a flat work surface or to a clean baking tray. Pour the melted chocolate over the toffee, spreading to cover the entire surface and, before the chocolate cools, sprinkle with the remaining chopped nuts. If the chocolate takes a long time to harden, refrigerate for about 10 minutes to set the chocolate.
• Return the block of toffee to the work surface and break up into pieces approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. Then cut into smaller pieces, as desired. Use as needed.

ALMOND TOFFEE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, place whole almonds and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar. Cover and process until nuts are finely ground; set aside. , In a bowl, cream butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. Combine flour, salt and ground almond mixture; gradually add to creamed mixture. Press into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes., Meanwhile, combine toffee bits and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until toffee is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in 1/2 cup sliced almonds and 1/2 cup coconut. Carefully spread over hot crust. Sprinkle with remaining almonds and coconut. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares.

TOFFEE ALMOND SHORTBREAD BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degree F.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour and brown sugar.
• Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling.
• Stir in almonds and toffee pieces. Form the mixture into a ball and knead gently until smooth.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness.
• Cut dough using a 1-1/4- to 1-1/2-inch scalloped or round cutter.
• Reroll dough as needed.
• Place rounds 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
• Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until bottoms just start to brown and edges are firm.
• Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.