Showing posts with label Sweet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sweet. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sweet and Salty


If you are living the sugar-free life or if you are diligently attempting to follow through on a New Year's resolution to kick the sweet tooth habit, then stop now and don't read any further. Go ahead and close your browser or click back over to Facebook. However, if you crave a little a sugar now and then or if you are especially fond of sweet and salty combinations, then stay right here and check out this super simple recipe. After making these treats for my bunco group last night, I was slightly disappointed that there were no leftovers! I may have to make more today...

Toffee Bars

12 graham crackers
1 (8oz) bag toffee bits
1 1/4 cup coarsely chopped nuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup chocolate chips*
3/4 tsp. coarse salt (such as kosher salt or sea salt)

Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the graham crackers side by side in a single layer on the sheet, edges touching. Sprinkle toffee bits and nuts over the graham crackers. I used walnuts this time, but I've made these with pecans or almonds too.

In a saucepan, bring sugar and butter to a boil over medium-high heat and rapidly simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is syrupy, about 2 minutes.
Immediately pour the sugar mixture over the graham crackers. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes or until sugar topping is bubbly. Remove from oven and immdeiately sprinkle with chocolate chips and salt. Cut into 2-inch squares and cool completely on a wire rack. Can be stored in an airtight container up to one week, but it's doubtful they'll last that long!

*Live-it-up-variation: substitute peanut butter or butterscotch chips in place of the chocolate chips or mix together all three flavors.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Sweetest Thing I've Baked...

I've taken a break lately from my foodie antics and my catering business to finish baking up something extra sweet and special...and oh boy did he turn out perfect! We welcomed the newest member of our household four weeks ago and each of us fell immediately in love. Though he was nearly a week overdue, we think he was "baked" to perfection. Take a peek at the sweetest thing I've baked...




Friday, January 16, 2009

Sweet Treat

Chocolate and nuts are one of my favorite combinations. I recently found myself with an abundance of almonds that I had purchased in bulk and needed to use. First, I toasted them for 5 minutes in a 350 degree oven:


Next, I melted milk chocolate chips in a double broiler:


Add one tablespoon solid vegetable shortening (this allows the candy to set up properly later):


Heat and stir until chocolate is smooth:


By this point, my nuts have toasted and are mostly cooled. Chop to desired coarseness:


Stir nuts into melted chocolate:


Spoon into miniature baking cups:


Don't rush - wait until they are completely cool and they will be easy to remove from the baking cup. Enjoy!