I have a new favorite treat. My friend D introduced me to them last winter when we were over at their house and they are so easy to make, all with ingredients you actually have in your house! D said that when she was a kid growing up in New Hampshire, her family always made these on sauna night when they'd have lots of company. If you grew up out there, you may have had them before, but since I'm a prairie girl, I've never heard of them.
| ENGLISH TOFFEE BARS | |
1 c. brown sugar 24 sq. saltines 1 c. butter (2 sticks) 1/2 tsp. vanilla 6 oz. chocolate chips Arrange saltines in a single layer on a greased 9x13 cookie sheet. Bring brown sugar and butter to a boil and boil for exactly 3 minutes over medium heat, stirring once or twice. Remove sugar/butter mixture from heat; stir in vanilla and pour over crackers. Bake in oven for 5 minutes. Keep a constant watch on it because ovens vary in temperature and it will burn very easily. Allow cookie pan to cool for 5-10 minutes, or until it is set. Distribute chocolate chips evenly over the top; spread with a knife when they have softened. Cool by putting in the refrigerator or freezer. To get it out of the cookie sheet, turn opposite corners like you would an ice cube tray and the whole sheet of toffee should pop out. Then you can cut, break, or tear off pieces as neatly or haphazardly as you like. Then either refrigerate until dessert, or freeze until the gala event. | |
Being the lazy cook that I am, I just put the broiler on and watch them until they sizzle a bit. They are fine without chocolate chips too, if you don't have any.
