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    Home » Recipes » Desserts & Sweet Treats

    Classic Vegan Toffee Bars

    Published: Dec 19, 2015 · Modified: Sep 1, 2020 by Jenn Sebestyen

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    recipe image for Pinterest

    I’ve recreated toffee bars into a healthier, protein packed treat. Say hello to your new favorite dessert – Classic Vegan Toffee Bars!

    Stack of 3 Vegan Toffee Bars

    Toffee Bars. I’ve been eating this classic dessert since probably the day I started eating solid foods. These chocolate and pecan topped bars have been a staple at every party on my mom’s side from birthdays and graduations to Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything in between.

    As a kid, I remember indulging in one after another of these sweet treats. When I got older, I would limit myself to just one or two while sipping on my after dinner coffee. The classic traditional bars are light and soft and sweet. They are also loaded with butter, eggs and refined sugar.

    I set out to recreate the deliciousness of these bars with healthier ingredients (no butter, no oil, no eggs and no refined sugar!) and I hit the jackpot with the combination of ingredients I used.

    These little squares of sweetness have already been child, husband, friend and neighbor approved! Now it’s your turn! Keep reading to find out how I made these Vegan Toffee Bars into a dessert you won’t be able to resist!

    One vegan toffee bar on a white tray in front of a stack of two more dessert bars.

    Inspired By Family Recipes

    Apparently, the original toffee bar recipe that I’ve been eating all my life came from my Auntie Dolores (actually, my Great Aunt). She was always whipping up delicious food and treats. No one would be lacking for offerings in her kitchen. If she thought you weren’t pleased with the 10 things on the counter already (we always were!), she would go scrounging in her fridge to bring out something else. She was kind hearted, generous, boisterous and funny and I hope I’m doing her proud with these Vegan Toffee Bars.

    Two Vegan Toffee Bars stacked in front a plate full of more bars. Pecans and chocolate chips scattered about.

    The key to getting that toffee flavor in these vegan toffee bars is coconut sugar and pecan butter.

    Coconut sugar has a very similar taste and texture to brown sugar. While it is definitely still a sweetener and should be used sparingly, it does contain trace amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that you won’t find in refined white sugar. It’s also much lower on the glycemic index.

    Pecans are super soft and buttery and make the best nut butter! Pecans are high in many vitamins and minerals, protein, fiber and healthy fats. Pecan butter is the perfect replacement for butter in this recipe and you won’t find any of those nutrients in dairy butter! Store bought pecan butter is ridiculously expensive and might possibly contain other unwanted ingredients. Luckily for me and you, it’s super easy to make at home (and much cheaper too!). Check out the Recipe Notes to find out how.

    3 Vegan Toffee Bars stacked in front of a cup of coffee.

    Chewy Dessert Bars

    My vegan toffee bars are not as light and soft as my Aunt’s original recipe, however, I happen to think this worked in my favor! To me, the perfect toffee is chewy. These bars came out dense and chewy, but still soft, and honestly remind me more of toffee than the traditional ones. Gasp! That’s a big statement, I know, but I stand by it!

    If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of the end pieces, savor every bite….the ends (not the whole bar on the end, but just the very end bite of the end bar – does that make sense?) will be more “done” than the center and will be even chewier with a slight crunch….my gosh, those were my favorite!

    2 Vegan Toffee Bars stacked on a white platter with pecans and chocolate chips scattered around them.

    Classic Vegan Toffee Bars

    Run, don’t walk, to your kitchen and bake up a batch of this chocolate vegan toffee goodness. Then rush back here and leave me a comment with your feedback and star rating. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I don’t miss your post!

    Enjoy!

    Classic Vegan Toffee Bars

    Classic toffee bars reinvented with no butter, no oil, no eggs, and no refined sugar. These are delightfully dense and chewy bars that have that classic toffee flavor thanks to the pecan butter and coconut sugar. You must give these a try!
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: dairy free, oil free, vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 445kcal
    Author: Jenn Sebestyen

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
    • ½ cup flaxmeal
    • 1 cup coconut sugar
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 1 cup pecan butter (*see note)
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
    • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 package dairy free chocolate chips (I prefer Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips, but use your favorite) (**see note)
    • ½ cup chopped pecans

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Line a 8x11 baking pan (***see note) with parchment paper and leave enough hanging over the sides to use as your "handles" later.
    • Whisk together the flour, flaxmeal, sugar and salt in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the pecan butter, maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.
    • Stir the dry ingredients into the wet until well combined. Use your hands and really get in there to mash it all together.
    • Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan and flatten it down with the palm of your hand.
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top starts to firm up.
    • Sprinkle on the chocolate chips and bake another 2-3 minutes until the chocolate gets melty.
    • With an off set spatula, spread out the chocolate evenly over the bars.
    • Immediately sprinkle with the chopped pecans.
    • Leave the bars in the baking pan on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes - they will continue to firm up.
    • Using the parchment paper "handles" lift the whole thing out of the pan and set on the wire rack to continue cooling all the way.
    • Cut into bars and enjoy!

    Notes

    *To make your own pecan butter: Process 2 ½ cups raw pecans in a food processor until smooth. Scrape down the sides as necessary. It will turn pasty first, but keep going until it's smooth and runny. This doesn't take very long...much less time than other nut butters. This amount should yield the 1 cup needed for this recipe.
    **You don't need to use the whole package. I actually used about ¾ of the package. But, if you like a thicker chocolate layer, by all means, pour it all on there!
    ***I have made this in an 7x10 baking pan as well. The bars will be just a bit thicker and will need the full 25 minutes to bake through.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 30g | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2.2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Veggie_Inspired or tag #VeggieInspired!

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    chai-spiced-pumpkin-layer-cake

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    Comments

    1. Gin says

      December 28, 2015 at 9:09 am

      I never thought of using pecan butter to get that buttery toffee taste. Great idea Jenn! These look amazing, and I could eat a whole plate of them right now.

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 28, 2015 at 11:22 am

        Thanks, Gin! Pecans are so soft and buttery..they work perfectly! Yum!

        Reply
    2. Howie Fox says

      December 28, 2015 at 3:13 am

      These tofu bars wold be just right for our afternoon tea 🙂
      It’s quite inspiring to see how it’s possible to bake impressive baked goods in vegan style!! Thanks 🙂

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 28, 2015 at 11:22 am

        No, tofu in here, Howie! LOL. TOFFEE bars! But, yes, plant based goodies are JUST as good (if not better). Thanks!

        Reply
        • Howie Fox says

          December 29, 2015 at 9:45 am

          Oh dear, I’m sorry for my terrible spelling!! I was surrounded by my family members, when I came over to visit your recipe. This German/English switch sometimes mixes up my writing =/
          (quite funny though, that one :D)

        • Jenn S. says

          December 29, 2015 at 11:08 am

          LOL! I do have a lime dessert that contains tofu so it’s not the craziest of ideas. 🙂

    3. Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com says

      December 27, 2015 at 3:18 pm

      mmmmhm! I used to LOVE toffee bars! I’ve never tried vegan ones but definitely need to now 🙂 Thanks for a great recipe, Jenn!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 27, 2015 at 10:43 pm

        Me and you both, Vanessa! They were always a weakness of mine as I grew up with them! Let me know if you try it!

        Reply
    4. Theresa says

      December 26, 2015 at 1:17 am

      making these

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 26, 2015 at 8:47 am

        Good morning, Theresa! I hope you enjoy them! Please let me know how they turn out!

        Reply
    5. Hedi Hearts says

      December 25, 2015 at 4:05 am

      OMG!!!These look insane Jennifer. I love toffee!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 26, 2015 at 8:47 am

        Oh, thank you, Hedi!!

        Reply
    6. Kathy Hester says

      December 24, 2015 at 6:18 pm

      Cheryl loves toffee, so I think I’ll make her a batch for Christmas tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 24, 2015 at 10:14 pm

        Awesome, Kathy! I hope you guys love it! Merry Christmas!!

        Reply
    7. Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says

      December 24, 2015 at 12:59 am

      Do you think anyone would notice if I cut around the edges and ate all the end pieces? lol
      These bars look seriously good! I will definitely be trying them once I get some pecans. Fabulous recipe!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 24, 2015 at 2:50 pm

        LOL, Mel. I hope not because that’s what I’m planning to do!! 🙂 Thank you and Merry Christmas!!

        Reply
    8. Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says

      December 22, 2015 at 4:26 pm

      Toffee is my faaaavvvvvorite! I’m not a huge sweet fan, but toffee is in a category all its own, and love your healthier take on it. Yum!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 22, 2015 at 4:50 pm

        I am the same way, Kelly! I especially love those crunchy toffee bars (like Heath and Skor candy bars!). I haven’t tried making a healthy version of those yet, but I have a feeling it would be much more difficult. Thank you!!

        Reply
    9. Sara says

      December 22, 2015 at 2:40 pm

      These are delicious! I took them to a family Christmas party, so I would have a healthier dessert to eat. I cut them into 1 inch x 1/2 inch bites. I ate two and my sweet tooth was completely satisfied! First time I’ve ever made pecan butter – it was so easy to just dump the pecans in my Vitamix! Thanks for a dessert recipe that everyone (not just me) enjoyed!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 22, 2015 at 3:24 pm

        WooHoo! I’m so happy everyone loved them! Thank you, Sara!! Pecan butter is so super easy, right?! I can’t wait to take them to my family Christmas this week and see if anyone can tell the difference. 🙂 Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    10. Caitlyn says

      December 22, 2015 at 10:27 am

      This looks amazing!! Can I use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar if I don’t have it?:)

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 22, 2015 at 12:47 pm

        Hi, Caitlyn! Yes, brown sugar should work just fine! Let me know how they turn out!! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    11. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says

      December 20, 2015 at 9:33 am

      I want to eat my screen! These look so absolutely delicious Jenn! Love a good bar this time of year – just in time for the holidays! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 20, 2015 at 12:41 pm

        Thank you, Ceara!! I can’t believe how beautiful they turned out! I can’t wait to take them to my family Christmas and NOT tell anyone I changed up the recipe! 😉

        Reply
    12. The Vegan 8 says

      December 19, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      They look wonderful Jenn! So soft and chewy, I’m drooling! I want to grab one from your pic! LOL. Pecan butter is the best and what I’ve used in many of my desserts too for that butter flavor! I first started using it 3 years ago in my chocolate chip cookies for that butter flavor and have used it ever since! I can imagine how yummy these are, great job girl!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 20, 2015 at 8:37 am

        Thanks, Brandi!! Yes, pecan butter is a magical thing! And so much quicker to make then other nut butters because they are so super soft. I haven’t tried it in cookies yet, but that sounds amazing! Great idea!! And I know you use it in your pie crust too, which is also a genius idea!! So much yum!

        Reply
    13. veggiesdontbite says

      December 19, 2015 at 3:20 pm

      So glad you were able to remake these! I love doing remakes of old favorites. Hope you get to stuff yourself with all those yummy end pieces! Happiest of holidays!! Great job!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 20, 2015 at 8:36 am

        Thanks! I can’t wait to take them to my family’s Christmas and NOT tell them how they were made! I MIGHT leave the end pieces at home! 🙂

        Reply
    14. Natalie says

      December 19, 2015 at 9:39 am

      The toffee bars! I should’ve known that was what these were when I saw the pic yesterday. Coconut sugar + pecan butter, you can just stop there, that’s all I need to know to be sure that these are going to be super rich and delicious! And your description of the end piece, oh my gosh I’m sure it was a fight to get that one <3

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 19, 2015 at 11:55 am

        Thank you, Natalie!! Those end pieces…mmmmmmm!! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Strength and Sunshine says

      December 19, 2015 at 6:29 am

      Mmmm pecan butter! It is one of my winter staples to make!! Since you really can’t buy it anywhere 😛
      These just look and sounds lovely…I mean, that perfect chocolate layer on top? Yes please!

      Reply
      • Jenn S. says

        December 19, 2015 at 7:53 am

        Thank you so much, Rebecca! We can buy pecan butter around here, but the price tag scared me off long ago! 🙂 Holidays just wouldn’t be the same without chocolate!!

        Reply
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    Jenn Sebestyen of Veggie Inspired

    Hi, I'm Jenn! This is where I share delicious plant based recipes for the whole family. I love to cook; I can read cookbooks like novels; and I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen by making standard American favorites healthier.

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