Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars: Buttery, Crunchy & Irresistible!

Sneak Preview: These Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars start with a buttery, crisp shortbread base topped with melted chocolate and crunchy pecans. A quick, irresistible dessert with less than 100 calories per square!

Quick Toffee Bars in a coffee cupPin

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When you need a fast dessert, what’s your go-to? For me, it has to be simple, quick, and use ingredients I already have. That’s why I love these Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars—just a handful of pantry staples, one bowl, and 30 minutes.

Why These Bars Will Steal the Show

Buttery Shortbread Base: A melt-in-your-mouth mix of flour, sugar, and butter.
Rich Chocolate Topping: Just sprinkle on the chocolate chips—no fancy techniques required.
Customizable: Swap pecans for almonds, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips!
Easy Cleanup: Use a parchment sling to lift them out without crumbling.

I just made these and they are delicious!-JAYDE

How To Easily Memorize This Shortbread Toffee Bar Recipe

Memorizing This Recipe Is a Breeze

Want a recipe you don’t have to look up? Here’s an easy trick:

🔢 1 & 4—That’s all you need to remember!

  • 1 cup flour
  • ¼ cup each of powdered sugar, butter, and chopped nuts (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

The chocolate layer? Just eyeball it—because who measures chocolate anyway? 😉


How To Make Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars

1️⃣ Prep the Pan: Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment or foil for easy removal. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2️⃣ Make the Shortbread Base: Stir together FLOUR, POWDERED SUGAR, and SALT in a bowl. Add MELTED BUTTER and mix until crumbly. Press into the pan.

3️⃣ Bake: Pop it in the oven for 20 minutes, until lightly golden.

making a paper sling for the pan.Pin

4️⃣ Add the Chocolate: Right after baking, sprinkle CHOCOLATE CHIPS over the warm shortbread. Let them melt, then spread evenly.

5️⃣ Top & Chill: Sprinkle with CHOPPED PECANS (or your favorite nuts). Refrigerate until set, then slice and enjoy!

melting chips on top of the shortbreadPin

Variations

Nutty Twist: Swap pecans for toasted almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts.
Double Chocolate: Use a mix of white and dark chocolate chips.
Peanut Butter Bliss: Drizzle melted peanut butter over the chocolate layer.


FAQs

  • Can I make these ahead of time?
    • Yes! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • Do they freeze well?
    • Absolutely! Wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temp before serving.
  • Can I use margarine instead of butter?
    • Butter gives the best flavor and texture, but margarine will work in a pinch.

Final Thoughts

If you happen to have leftovers you don’t want to throw away, try making these Leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Truffles using these cookies instead of chocolate chip cookies. They freeze well.


Need help troubleshooting? Please email me: Paula at saladinajar.com–photos welcome!


Quick Toffee Bars in a coffee cupPin
Yield: 16 squares

Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars: Buttery, Crunchy & Irresistible!

Buttery shortbread, melted chocolate, and crunchy pecans—these Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars are the perfect no-fuss dessert. Quick to make and impossible to resist!
5 from 3 votes
PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup (56 g) melted butter
  • ½ cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or flavor of your choice
  • cup (18 g) chopped nuts optional

Instructions

  • Make a parchment paper or foil sling for an 8-inch pan. This is essential if you want any hope of getting the bars out of the pan without crumbling.
  • Preheat oven to 350˚F (170˚C).
  • Stir 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a small bowl. Pour in 1/4 cup (56 g) melted butter and stir. Use your fingers to mix butter with dry ingredients thoroughly.
  • Dump butter/flour mixture in to pan and pat down smooth. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  • Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle 1/2 cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or flavor of your choice evenly over the surface of the shortbread cookie base. Allow to sit until all chips are completely melted and soft.
  • Carefully use a knife or the back of a spoon to spread soft chips in an even layer. If desired, sprinkle 1/8 cup (18 g) chopped nuts over the top. Put in refrigerator until chocolate layer hardens. Remove cookies and sling from the pan carefully. Slice into 16 pieces.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com

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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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14 Comments

  1. i make tofee plz guide me

  2. I just made these and they are delicious! I’m quite a novice baker so I’m a little confused as to how these should be stored – in the refrigerator or in an air-tight container? It is currently winter where I’m from (New Zealand), so could these be kept outside? Thanks! 🙂

  3. beautiful,very decadent and dangerous!!!
    🙂

  4. These look irresistible!

  5. These look great and the fact that they are a lower calorie dessert makes them even more appealing before bathing suit season! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  6. Ellie and I actually made these…. and they are YUMMY and EASY! I wished I had some crumbled Heath bar to put on top. We put marshmallows on 1/3, chocolate chips on 1/3, and M&Ms on 1/3. M&Ms were the best but dont spread well – haha.
    Thanks for the recipe and I LOVE your pics of course!

  7. Oh, what a great tip. I will remember that 1/4. Those do look yummy!

  8. Mmm! Nothing like simple AND delicious!

  9. Love easy…love easy especially when teen boys drop by to visit with son and enjoy a treat like this one. Thanks for the recipe!

  10. Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says:

    Those look REALLY GOOD! Thanks for sharing such an easy version.

  11. That looks very easy and delicious. I would love to try this and share with friends. Thanks for sharing.

  12. Um…. you use gloves. (good thing I don’t take prep photos of my desserts)! 🙂 I love, love, love toffee bars – they are so classic. I love your “twists” and variations – especially the pecans. So many toffee recipes call for walnuts (not a big fan) so I usually sub almonds. The peanut butter/chocolate combo sounds like a winner as well. Photography is fabulous!

    1. M, I use gloves a lot–feels natural because I wear them all day long at work too.