Salted Caramel Pecan Toffee Bars (Cracker Candy Recipe)
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Make easy Toffee Bars with just 7 ingredients! Perfectly sweet and crunchy, they make an excellent holiday gift or dessert. A quick homemade caramel sauce and pecans make graham cracker toffee bars a tasty treat! This is one of my favorite recipes!
Are you looking for an easy dessert recipe that makes the perfect yummy treat? I’ve been making this easy recipe for years – and I still love the flavor and taste.
These chocolate toffee bars are loaded with sweetness and crunch, making it one of the best fourth of July desserts or holiday desserts out there! Just change the sprinkles to change the look!
It’s desserts like this that give me the joy of cooking because I love how this easy treat is literally the perfect addition for any type of gathering or party.
The small pieces are great for grabbing and eating, and you can’t deny that buttery crust and chocolate layers.
Once you bake, these goodies turn into golden brown perfection – and I know that it’s my cue to let them cool and start snacking!
The recipe card gives you all the details needed to make these hot cookie bars. They’re social media shareable good!
Table of Contents
Toffee Bars
I don’t know about you, but I usually have a holiday baking list a mile long! So, I’m all about any dessert that doesn’t take a lot of time OR a lot of fancy ingredients.
These salted caramel pecan toffee bars would be fabulous on any dessert platter, but they also make a fabulous edible gift!
Great for teachers, neighbors, bus drivers, postal workers, co-workers, or as a hostess gift. You can easily add these to cookie trays and top them with plastic wrap to be a yummy housewarming gift.
I love this toffee bars recipe because I usually have the ingredients on hand anyway.
Plus, the graham cracker pecan bars are ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish (not including cooling time).
While you are at it, try our saltine cracker candy or our Disney churro toffee copycat. They’re a holiday baking game-changer!
No matter if you want these to be your top dessert July appetizers, or something that you keep hidden until the holidays, just know that everyone will think that this recipe came straight from Grandma’s recipe box!
Tips for Making Graham Cracker Toffee Bars
- Decide between sweet or salty crackers.
This toffee bars recipe uses graham crackers instead of the traditional saltine crackers, because I love the sweet nuttiness they bring.
You can substitute saltines if it’s what you have on hand or prefer.
- Try a different topping.
Simply swap out the pecans for an equal amount of peanuts, cashews, or almonds. Or, mix in some holiday M&Ms or sprinkles!
You can drizzle melted dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips, or just sprinkle chocolate chips on top of these hot toffee bars!
I always buy chopped pecans, but you can simply chop larger pieces with a knife. Same goes if you decide to make your toffee bars with a different variety.
- Line your pan with aluminum foil.
The last thing you want to do is try and clean up baked-on caramel sauce!
Give it a light misting of cooking spray as well. It will make it easier to remove the caramel pecan bars without any cracking.
- Make them extra indulgent!
For the chocolate lovers, feel free to spread or drizzle melted chocolate over the top of your graham cracker toffee bars.
All you need to do is microwave your favorite chocolate chips in 30-second bursts. Stir between each until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
You can make these sweet and salty by sprinkling a little bit of sea salt on top as well. This complements the sugar flavors and makes new recipes like this really stand out.
I also think that this makes them taste like real toffee candy, too!
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Jelly Roll Pan – The perfect size for the graham crackers to lay in one layer, and it’s such a versatile pan! You can use any other prepared pan, but this is my go-to.
- Offset Spatula – Spread the caramel sauce in an even layer with ease! Great for desserts of all kinds.
I would also have a large bowl or medium bowl, wire rack, non-stick cooking spray, hand mixer, and some parchment paper on hand for these hot toffee bars!
Toffee Bars Recipe FAQ
Nope! They’ll get plenty browned in the oven as the caramel pecan bars are baking.
The culprit is usually butter substitutes — either margarine or coconut oil. Other types of fat will prevent your toffee bars from hardening properly.
If you did use real butter, then you may not have boiled the caramel for long enough. Make sure it comes to a full boil and is completely smooth before stirring in the vanilla.
No, these should be cooled completely at room temperature in order for the toffee layer to set up properly.
The cold air from the fridge will make them too difficult to bite into.
Storing Leftover Caramel Pecan Bars
These are just fine on the counter for up to 5 days. Store them in an airtight container with a piece of parchment between each layer.
You can also freeze graham cracker pecan bars for longer storage — up to 3 months! Thaw on the counter before serving.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Salted Caramel Pecan Toffee Bars (Cracker Candy Recipe)
Ingredients
- 12 graham cracker sheets
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, 1.5 sticks
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- pinch of flaked sea salt, or kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan with aluminum foil, sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Place graham cracker sheets in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
- In a saucepan, bring brown sugar, butter and heavy whipping cream to a boil, over medium heat, stirring often. Once melted and smooth, add vanilla.
- Pour caramel sauce over the graham cracker sheets and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt. Carefully lift out the bars (using the aluminum foil) and cool on wire racks about 30 minutes, or until completely cooled.
- Break into squares.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2017, updated and republished October 2024
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
amazing recipe! made these salted caramel pecan toffee bars for a family gathering and they were a hit. thanks, Donna and Chad! 5 stars!
Hi Cadence!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn