Name: Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup confectioners' sugar; 1 cup butter - softened; 14 oz sweetened condensed milk - one 14 ounce can; 1 large egg; 1.5 teaspoon vanilla extract; pinch of salt; 8 oz English Toffee Bits; 1 cup chocolate chips; 1 cup chopped pecans

If you're craving a melt-in-your-mouth treat that combines buttery shortbread, rich chocolate, crunchy pecans, and sweet toffee goodness, this Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try these bars, they'll become your go-to dessert for every occasion.

The image shows several square dessert bars placed on a white cloth over a white marbled surface. Each bar has two layers: a thick, smooth, pale beige bottom crust, and a top layer filled with a mixture of light golden batter and many small dark brown chocolate chips scattered evenly throughout. The top surface appears slightly shiny and textured with the chocolate chips creating a bumpy appearance. The bars are neatly cut into uniform squares and stacked close together. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I’ve made these toffee bars more times than I can count, and every single time they wow my family and friends. They’re super simple to put together and taste like something from a fancy bakery.

Perfect Texture: Buttery, crumbly shortbread crust topped with a gooey, chewy toffee and chocolate layer.
Easy to Make: No complicated steps—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
Huge Yield: Makes 48 bars, great for parties or sharing.
Customizable: Swap out pecans for your favorite nuts or seeds for a nut-free option.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe calls for simple pantry staples mixed with a few special ingredients that really bring it to life. Here’s a quick rundown so you know exactly what to look for next time you shop.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small bowl of confectioners' sugar, a large chunk of softened butter, a small white bowl filled with sweetened condensed milk, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl containing vanilla extract, a small pinch of coarse salt, a small white bowl of English toffee bits, a small white bowl of chocolate chips, and a small white bowl of chopped pecans, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The foundation for the shortbread crust—gives it structure and that perfect crumbly texture.
Confectioners' sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness and tenderness to the crust.
Butter: Make sure it’s softened to mix easily and give richness to the crust.
Sweetened condensed milk: The secret to that irresistibly creamy, sweet filling layer.
Egg: Helps bind the filling for that perfect chewy texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors, adding warm, aromatic notes.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and amplify the other flavors.
English Toffee Bits: Crunchy, buttery toffee pieces that take these bars to the next level.
Chocolate chips: Melty, gooey pockets of chocolate that pair beautifully with toffee and pecans.
Chopped pecans: Toasty nuts add crunch and a nutty richness to the bars.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about the Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you're tweaking the nuts, swapping chocolates, or going nut-free, these bars are a versatile treat that can shine with your creative touch.

Nut-Free Version: I sometimes swap out the pecans for toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds when serving friends with nut allergies. It still adds that lovely crunch without compromising flavor.
Chocolate Variations: Dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks both bring a different but equally delicious twist. My personal favorite is bittersweet chocolate for a richer bite.
Seasonal Twist: Around the holidays, I like adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for warm spice notes that complement the toffee beautifully.
Extra Crunch: For an ultra-textured bar, sprinkle a handful of crushed pretzels on top before the final bake—the salty crunch balances the sweet toffee perfectly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe

A stack of five dessert bars is shown resting on a white cloth over a wooden surface. Each bar has two clear layers: the bottom layer is pale cream and smooth, forming a firm base, while the top layer is golden brown with a rough texture, scattered with small dark chocolate chips. The bars are perfectly square and neatly stacked with slight irregularities in alignment. The background features a soft, out-of-focus white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F—this ensures it’s perfectly hot by the time your crust is ready. I like to grease my 13x9-inch baking dish thoroughly or better yet, line it with parchment paper to make removal and cleanup a breeze. Set this aside for now while you focus on the crust.

Step 2: Whip Up the Buttery Crust

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour with ½ cup of confectioners' sugar. Add 1 cup of softened butter and use your hands or a food processor to mix until the texture looks like coarse crumbs. This step is key—make sure the butter’s soft so it cuts in smoothly, giving you that perfect shortbread base. Once ready, firmly press this mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. You want to pack it down well for a sturdy crust.

Step 3: Bake the Crust to Golden Perfection

Bake the crust in your preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes. Keep an eye out for that beautiful golden hue on top—that’s your sign it’s perfectly baked. Once done, pull it out and let it cool slightly while you prepare your luscious filling.

Step 4: Mix Together the Creamy Filling

In a large bowl, beat together 14 oz of sweetened condensed milk, 1 large egg, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined. This mixture gets wonderfully creamy and is the sweet heart of your toffee bars.

Step 5: Fold in the Toffee, Chocolate, and Pecans

Gently fold in 8 oz of English Toffee Bits, 1 cup of chocolate chips, and 1 cup of chopped pecans into your condensed milk mixture. Take your time here so you don’t break up the toffee bits or nuts too much, ensuring each bar will have that perfect balance of gooey chocolate, crunchy nuts, and sweet toffee in every bite. Spread this mixture evenly over your baked crust.

Step 6: Bake Until Lightly Browned and Set

Pop your baking dish back into the oven and bake for 25 minutes. You’re looking for a lightly browned, bubbly top that signals it's perfectly cooked without drying out. The aroma at this stage is absolutely mouthwatering—be prepared to resist sneaking a bite!

Step 7: Cool, Chill, and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator to chill. Chilling is essential as it firms them up, making clean slicing into 48 servings easy and tidy. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Step 8: Store and Enjoy

Store any leftovers covered in an airtight container in the fridge, or freeze for longer storage. These bars keep beautifully and actually taste even better after a day as the flavors meld. Just bring them to room temperature or warm slightly before serving for that fresh-baked feel.

Top Tip

These Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate are a delightful treat, and with a few simple tips, you can make sure they come out perfectly every time.

Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is well softened before cutting it into the flour and sugar mixture. This helps create that beautifully crumbly yet firm shortbread crust.
Even Layering: >When spreading the toffee, chocolate, and pecan filling, do it evenly to ensure every bar has a good balance of flavors and textures.
Chill Before Cutting: Allow the bars to cool completely, then chill them before slicing. This prevents them from crumbling and gives you clean, neat squares.
Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking dish with parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner cuts—plus, it saves on cleanup time!

How to Serve Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate Recipe

A clear glass baking dish holds one layer of a light golden crust topped with scattered dark brown chocolate chips. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a small white bowl stacked inside another bowl, along with a wooden spoon lying flat on the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To take these bars to the next level, consider a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar right before serving or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top. For a touch of freshness, add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few whole pecans on each square. These small touches add elegance and a burst of flavor.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple dessert. For gatherings, serve alongside fresh berries or a cup of strong coffee or tea to balance the sweet richness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and delicious for about 5 to 7 days — perfect for enjoying throughout the week.

Freezing

If you want to keep these bars longer, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture.

Reheating

Although these bars are delicious chilled or at room temperature, you can warm them slightly in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to revive that melty, gooey toffee goodness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate without pecans?

Yes! You can omit the pecans for a nut-free version or substitute them with your favorite seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower seeds, for a different crunch.

Why should I chill the bars before cutting?

Chilling firms up the bars, which helps you cut clean, neat squares without the filling sticking to your knife or the bars crumbling.

Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with semi-sweet, milk, or even white chocolate chips depending on your taste preferences.

How long do these bars keep at room temperature?

Because of the sweetened condensed milk filling, it’s best to store the bars in the refrigerator. They’re not recommended to be kept at room temperature for extended periods.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe for Toffee Pecan Bars with Chocolate as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you. They strike the perfect balance between buttery crust, sweet toffee, and crunchy pecans — a truly irresistible combination. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just a cozy night in, these bars are sure to bring smiles all around. Happy baking and even happier snacking!