Toffee Bars

 Ingredients:
Salted butter - 113 gms or 1/2 cup ( room temperature ),
Light brown sugar- 100gms or 1/2 cup ( can use less sugar ),
All purpose flour- 130 gms or 1 cup,
Vanilla essence- 3/4 tsp,
Coffee - 1 tsp.
Topping :
Semi sweet chocolate chips or semi sweet chocolate- 180 gms,
Almonds- 1/2 cup( toasted and coarsely broken).

Method :
Shortbread:
Preheat oven to 350F or 180 C
Place rack in the center of the oven.
Line the bottom and side of an 8 inch square baking pan with butter paper.
Roast the almonds in the oven 180 C for 5 to 8 minutes.Cool and then put them in a zip lock bag.
With a rolling pin,brake them coarsely.Take out and keep them in a bowl.

In a bowl whisk flour and coffee pwd .

In a electric mixer  beat butter for a second then add the sugar and then beat until light and fluffy ( 2 to 3minutes ).

Beat in the vanilla essence.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then add the flour mixture.

Mixing only until incorporated.

 

Spread the shortbread evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan.( use a knife to even the layers and fill the corners )

Since the weather is hot and humid ,the dough is soft,so keep the baking tray in the freezer for 5 minutes to set firm the layered dough ( this step will not be required in winters )
Take out and bake for 20 minutes  or till golden brown in the pre heated oven.

Take out and immediately scatter the chocolate over the hot shortbread.

Return the shortbread to the oven for a minute.

Remove from oven and with a knife evenly spread the melted chocolate.

 

Sprinkle the roasted almonds nuts over the chocolate.

Place the pan over the wire rack to cool completely.
Put the tray in the fridge for the chocolate to set (2 to 3 hours ).
Once the chocolate is set,lift the shortbread from the pan.

Place on a cutting board and with a sharp knife cut  into 16 squares.Since it is hot and humid,toffee bars have to kept back in the fridge.
These toffee bars are ideal gift for family and friends.Just wrap each of them in an aluminum foil like toffees or just fold them.

Bars can be kept for several weeks in the fridge.
Makes - 16 bars