i still remember the first time i made chocolate toffee crunch bars i was juggling laundry and trying to keep my dog from stealing the butter and honestly it was a mess but also kind of fun the chocolate chips kept spilling and the toffee bits stuck to my fingers but the smell coming from the kitchen made it all worth it making chocolate toffee crunch bars always reminds me that baking doesn’t have to be perfect to taste amazing i mean sometimes the oat layer cracks or the chocolate melts a little unevenly and that’s totally okay because the flavor is still out of this world.
the next batch of chocolate toffee crunch bars i made my grandchildren helped me press the oat mixture into the pan and of course they made little chocolate fingerprints everywhere but it made me laugh because they were proud to help and the bars still turned out delicious i love that this recipe for chocolate toffee crunch bars can be messy and still result in chewy chocolatey bites with that crunchy toffee surprise i think those little imperfections make each batch feel unique and special.
once i tried making chocolate toffee crunch bars late at night i didn’t have enough butter and had to improvise with a bit more sweetened condensed milk and you know what it still worked the bars were softer than usual and i actually liked the texture better this recipe for chocolate toffee crunch bars is forgiving and fun to experiment with and i always feel a little proud when i lift that pan out of the oven.
i also remember trying chocolate toffee crunch bars with friends last summer when the power went out for a few hours and we had to bake by flashligh it was chaotic because the chocolate chips were hard to measure in the dark and some toffee bits fell on the floor but everyone laughed so much and the bars still tasted amazing. that’s the magic of chocolate toffee crunch bars you don’t need perfection to make something delicious.
sometimes i make chocolate toffee crunch bars when i feel a bit stressed or tired because stirring the oats and chocolate is oddly soothing even if the top cracks or the chocolate melts unevenly it doesn’t matter because the bars still give that perfect balance of sweet chocolate and crunchy toffee i like that this recipe lets me focus on small joys and simple pleasures.
i’ve tried eating chocolate toffee crunch bars with so many other treats and snacks and it’s a little heaven sometimes i eat them with a warm glass of milk or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of coffee i even tried pairing them with salted caramel chocolate chip cookies and the flavors were incredible other times i crumble them over yogurt or enjoy them with fresh berries sometimes just with a slice of cheddar cheese or even peanut butter on toast every combination tastes different and amazing but they all go perfectly with chocolate toffee crunch bars.
ingredients
- unsalted butter
- brown sugar
- sweetened condensed milk
- all-purpose flour
- rolled oats
- salt
- vanilla extract
- chocolate chips
- toffee bits
ingredients notes
- unsalted butter is soft butter that does not have salt added it helps make the bars soft and chewy
- brown sugar adds sweetness and a little bit of moisture so the bars are soft
- sweetened condensed milk is thick and very sweet milk it helps stick the bars together
- all purpose flour is regular flour that helps give structure to the bars
- rolled oats are flat oats that give texture and a little chewiness to the bars
- salt makes the sweet flavors taste better
- vanilla extract adds a sweet and nice flavor that makes everything taste yummy
- chocolate chips are small pieces of chocolate that melt slightly and taste chocolatey in every bite
- toffee bits are crunchy caramel pieces that add a sweet crunch to the bars
How to make Chocolate Toffee Crunch Bars ?
step 1: prepare your pan
preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit then line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside so nothing sticks.
step 2: make the buttery oat base
in a large mixing bowl melt the unsalted butter then add the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk mix well until smooth then stir in all purpose flour rolled oats and salt until it becomes a thick sticky mixture.
step 3: add flavor
stir in the vanilla extract then press half of the mixture evenly into the prepared pan this forms the bottom layer of the bars.
step 4: add chocolate and toffee
sprinkle the chocolate chips and toffee bits over the pressed layer then carefully add the remaining oat mixture on top pressing gently to cover most of the chocolate and toffee.
step 5: bake the bars
place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden and firm but still soft in the middle.
step 6: cool completely
remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature then refrigerate for at least an hour to help it set before cutting.
step 7: cut into bars
lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper edges and place them on a cutting board then cut into rectangles or squares as desired.
step 8: serve and enjoy
arrange the bars on a plate or store in an airtight container these bars taste best slightly chilled or at room temperature.
kitchen equipment needed
- baking pan 9×13 inch
- parchment paper
- large mixing bowl
- spatula or wooden spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
- microwave safe bowl or small saucepan for melting butter
- oven
- cutting board
- knife
storage options
these chocolate toffee crunch bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks for longer freshness they can also be frozen for up to three months just wrap each bar in plastic wrap and put in a freezer safe bag before serving let them thaw at room temperature.
variations for chocolate toffee crunch bars
one variation is to use white chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips this gives a different sweet flavor another option is to add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for extra crunch you can also try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a little espresso powder for deeper flavor some people like to drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a pretty finish another fun variation is to mix in mini marshmallows or peanut butter chips to give extra texture and flavor finally you can make these bars gluten free by replacing al lpurpose flour with a gluten free flour blend.
faq
what is this recipe chocolate toffee crunch bars made of?
this recipe is made of a buttery oat base sweetened with brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk layered with chocolate chips and crunchy toffee bits.
what does chocolate toffee crunch bars taste like?
these bars taste sweet buttery and chocolatey with a satisfying crunch from the toffee and a soft chewy oat texture.
can i use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
yes you can use salted butter just reduce the added salt slightly to avoid it being too salty.
can i use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
you can but the texture will be softer and less chewy because quick oats absorb more moisture.
how long do chocolate toffee crunch bars last?
they last up to five days at room temperature two weeks in the fridge and three months in the freezer.
can i make them vegan?
yes you can replace butter with vegan butter and use sweetened condensed coconut milk instead of regular condensed milk.
can i add other flavors to the bars?
yes flavors like cinnamon espresso or a few drops of almond extract can be added for variation.
do i have to refrigerate them?
refrigeration helps them set and stay firm but they can be eaten at room temperature as long as stored in an airtight container.
Chocolate Toffee Crunch Bars
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy16
servings20
minutes30
minutes280
kcal50
minutesthese chocolate toffee crunch bars are soft chewy oat bars loaded with chocolate chips and crunchy toffee pieces easy to make and perfect for any dessert craving.
Ingredients
unsalted butter
brown sugar
sweetened condensed milk
all-purpose flour
rolled oats
salt
vanilla extract
chocolate chips
toffee bits
Directions
- preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit then line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside so nothing sticks.
- in a large mixing bowl melt the unsalted butter then add the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk mix well until smooth then stir in all-purpose flour, rolled oats, and salt until it becomes a thick sticky mixture.
- stir in the vanilla extract then press half of the mixture evenly into the prepared pan this forms the bottom layer of the bars.
- sprinkle the chocolate chips and toffee bits over the pressed layer then carefully add the remaining oat mixture on top pressing gently to cover most of the chocolate and toffee.
- place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden and firm but still soft in the middle.
- remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature then refrigerate for at least an hour to help it set before cutting.
- lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper edges and place them on a cutting board then cut into rectangles or squares as desired.
- arrange the bars on a plate or store in an airtight container these bars taste best slightly chilled or at room temperature.
