I’ll say it up front. I’m not a toffee fan. I don’t like its overt sweetness, or its sticky tendency to adhere to my teeth. So, when I saw that the recipe that had been assigned for this week’s Tuesdays with Dorie contained toffee I was a little worried.
These Caramel Crunch Bars appear deceptively complicated but their assembly is actually pretty simple. First a coffee-chocolate shortbread base is prepared and baked. Then it is topped with a layer of chocolate which is allowed to melt for a few moments on top the shortbread in the still warm (but off) oven. Once the chocolate has melted, toffee bits are strewn as the final layer and everything is allowed to soften and set.
Note: I couldn’t find toffee bits in the supermarket so I simply bought hard toffee candy and pulsed it in the food processor a bit 
Voila!
So what was the final determination? Well, to be honest, at first I found the sweetness of the chocolate and toffee a little overwhelming as the coffee did not provide enough of a counterpoint as I had expected. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. So, while Jason munched away (he loved them right off the bat) I kept wondering if maybe next time I should used chopped pistachios as the topping instead. Then, something odd happened. The next morning I decided to give them another try, and you know what? I loved them! I don’t know what happened! Maybe my palate had adjusted to the initial shock. Maybe the flavours had blended and softened somewhat overnight. I don’t know. All I can tell you is that I could. not. stop. eating them. It was quite embarassing really! 
This time J didn’t stand a chance. I did leave one or two for him though. Kindness of my heart, and such
If you want the recipe check out the blog, What’s left on the table? or procure a copy of Dorie Greenspan’s extremely excellent Baking: From My Home to Yours
About Sarina
Passionate foodie, founder of Trinigourmet and Caribbean Lifestyle Maven. Author of "Glam By Request: 30+ Easy Caribbean Recipes"
This month marks the third installment of my “CookALong” series where a prominent (usually) Caribbean personality follows one of my recipes, and sometimes throws in a few of their own This week however I’m shaking things up a bit by ...
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These were amazing, weren’t they? Your crunch bars look great.
Wendy’s last blog post..Apricot, Almond, & Chocolate Spiraled Coffee Cake
These were amazing, weren’t they? Your crunch bars look great.
Wendy’s last blog post..Apricot, Almond, & Chocolate Spiraled Coffee Cake
These were amazing!
These were amazing!
Haha – that’s funny how your tastes changed overnight! That sounds like something that would happen to me! I’m glad you changed your mind – I thought these were awesome. Yours look great!
Amy (Sing for your supper)’s last blog post..Tuesdays with Dorie…A Close Call!
Haha – that’s funny how your tastes changed overnight! That sounds like something that would happen to me! I’m glad you changed your mind – I thought these were awesome. Yours look great!
Amy (Sing for your supper)’s last blog post..Tuesdays with Dorie…A Close Call!
I liked these better the next day too! Your bars look awesome!
Kimberly’s last blog post..TWD – Caramel Crunch Bars
I liked these better the next day too! Your bars look awesome!
Kimberly’s last blog post..TWD – Caramel Crunch Bars
Seems like everyone so far has loved them as much as I did
Thanks for dropping by gals (and guy 
)
Seems like everyone so far has loved them as much as I did
Thanks for dropping by gals (and guy 
)
Well, I am a big toffee fan, and these look amazing!
pam’s last blog post..Garden Tuesday – Mums Then and Now
Well, I am a big toffee fan, and these look amazing!
pam’s last blog post..Garden Tuesday – Mums Then and Now
These were so good and i’m glad you enjoyed them. I really like these and i’m not even a big chocolate fan!
Farah’s last blog post..Tuesdays With Dorie – Caramel Crunch Bars
These were so good and i’m glad you enjoyed them. I really like these and i’m not even a big chocolate fan!
Farah’s last blog post..Tuesdays With Dorie – Caramel Crunch Bars
You know, I had the EXACT same experience with liking these A LOT more after they sat overnight. Yours look perfect!
Cathy’s last blog post..TWD: Caramel Crunch Bars
You know, I had the EXACT same experience with liking these A LOT more after they sat overnight. Yours look perfect!
Cathy’s last blog post..TWD: Caramel Crunch Bars
Glad you ended up loving these! BTW, I absolutely love your site! My mom is a Trini (from San Fernando) and I always come here to check out your amazing recipes so that I can recreate them and bring back memories of my childhood!!!! I currently live in DC and you can’t get the same kind of Trini food as I could back in NY!
Glad you ended up loving these! BTW, I absolutely love your site! My mom is a Trini (from San Fernando) and I always come here to check out your amazing recipes so that I can recreate them and bring back memories of my childhood!!!! I currently live in DC and you can’t get the same kind of Trini food as I could back in NY!
Thanks everyone
So funny that a few of you also liked the bars more the next day. I’m telling you something happened to them overnight! 
Teanna – I’m so glad I can help you recreate the memories of your childhood!
Thanks everyone
So funny that a few of you also liked the bars more the next day. I’m telling you something happened to them overnight! 
Teanna – I’m so glad I can help you recreate the memories of your childhood!
At first glance, my teeth started hurting and my heart started fluttering. Yeah, they look sweet. But I think (like you) I could get used to them. I love toffee!
Nate’s last blog post..Our Favorite Layer Cake Recipe
At first glance, my teeth started hurting and my heart started fluttering. Yeah, they look sweet. But I think (like you) I could get used to them. I love toffee!
Nate’s last blog post..Our Favorite Layer Cake Recipe
I heard a few people liked these better the next day. mine didn’t make it that long!
Spike’s last blog post..TWD: Caramel Crunch Bars
I heard a few people liked these better the next day. mine didn’t make it that long!
Spike’s last blog post..TWD: Caramel Crunch Bars
I heard a few people liked these better the next day. mine didn’t make it that long!
Spike’s last blog post..TWD: Caramel Crunch Bars