Just when I thought nothing could top cookie butter, I tasted crunchy cookie butter. Now on the shelves at Trader Joe’s, I tried a spoonful as soon as I returned home from the store (taste testing is a tough job, but someone has to do it!). Though I normally prefer smooth nut butters, I found the gingerbread-caramel-cinnamon spread even better than the original with its crunchy bits of Speculoos cookies.
My next move was to bake a pan of these cookie butter-toffee bars. Toffee bits melt throughout these tender spiced squares, adding notes of caramel. I highly recommend warming each square briefly before topping with additional cookie butter and a toffee sprinkle.
Cookie Butter-Toffee Bars
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup crunchy cookie butter
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup toffee bits
Topping
3 Tbsp crunchy cookie butter
1 Tbsp toffee bits
Preheat oven to 350°F and spray an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray. Whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Place cookie butter and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, about 30 seconds. Cool slightly. Whisk cooled cookie butter mixture, vanilla, egg, egg yolk, and milk together in a medium bowl. Add to flour mixture and stir just until combined; fold in toffee bits.
Spread batter evenly into prepared baking dish; smooth top with an offset spatula. Bake for 22 to 23 minutes, until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached. Remove from oven to cool completely in pan on a wire rack; cut into bars. Top each bar with cookie butter and a sprinkle of toffee bits. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.
Yield – 12 bars (serving size: 1 bar)
Calories – 210
Carbs – 28
I need to grab a jar or five of the new crunchy specaloos!! You’re the one who brought it to my attention via Instagram and why I haven’t already made a trip to my TJ’s is beyond me. I love the combination of crunchy, buttery toffee and the spicy spread. Perfection!
I tried the crunchy cookie butter before I had the original and I have to agree – the crunchy kind is sooo much better! These bars look like the perfect treat to enjoy the spread!
Laura, these look and sound RIDICULOUSLY good! Yes, I discovered the crunchy cookie butter too and I am hopelessly smitten with it! LOVE you photos, the light is beautiful!
I love the crunchy and smooth nut butters. Your cookie bars look great and they sure wouldn’t last long here!
Hmmm, crunchy cookie butter- I need to spend more time at Trader Joes!!
Your cookie bars are looking pretty good….would love one with a cup of tea right about now;-)
What? Crunchy cookie butter? Be still my heart! :D These bars look too scrumptious-I think I’d gorge myself on half the pan!
I still have yet to buy a jar of that – I am a bit scared to keep it in the house it looks so good!
Laura these are PERFECT. Absolutely perfect.
Dude, you had me at cookie butter! And the addition of toffee now has me drooling.
Goodness, bless you for taste testing :) I still have yet to crack open the jar of cookie butter in pantry. I’m afraid once I do it’s all downhill. And now I need to buy the crunchy kind, too!
Oooo I love this! A jar of Biscoff doesn’t last long in my house. I can’t wait to try these!
I’m envious. We don’t have cookie butter here. I can just look and drool at your bars. Sounds delicious, looks delicious and I am getting hungry! :-)
I have no idea what is crunchy cookie butter but I sure am going to look for it over the weekend!
I bought the cookie butter from TJ’s and from then on I have just been licking them every now and then:) lol. Its time to make use of it and bake something delicious.I am bookmarking this recipe. Looks fantastic:)
I have not yet succumbed to the enticing jar of crunchy cookie spread! But with these marvelous toffee bars waiting to be made I may making a T.J. very soon!
This sounds amazingly yummy!!!! Good one.
I saw your IG picture a while back and then I saw it in Trader Joe’s the other day and thought of you. Now in my mind crunchy cookie butter = you! :D I have to give this a try soon!
Oh, the things you do with cookie butter! Just pure awesomeness! Like Nami, I saw your IG photo…yummers. Wish we had a Trader Joe’s here in Canada…Hello, calling TJ’s CEO and Sales Team. We need one in Toronto!!!
Terrific! Cookie butter is ever so addictive.
Cheers,
Rosa
Laura, you are definitely the cookie butter queen!!! These are wonderful! Love the toffee bits on top!
A Trader Joe’s just opened here a couple of months ago. Be sure that I will be raiding their shelves so that I can make these bars!
Oh momma! Those look like trouble.
Goodness! LOVE THESE! And they look so purrrrty!
I’m such a fan of cookie butter than I made my own! Yes, HAVE TO! I love it a little too much though :)
These look so good! And the flavors are all fabulous!
Btw I see your mini donuts (last post) on all the food sites, Pin boards, etc they’re everywhere!
These look incredible! I just found out a TJ’s is opening in Buffalo, probably next year! I’m so excited to get my hands on cookie butter and not have to drive 2 hours to a TJ’s to get some!
I was just telling one of my friends last night about your cookie butter recipes. Still working on that same jar about a while ago and let my friend have a taste–she loved it. Will be forwarding this recipe to her. Now I have to hurry up and finish this jar so I can try the crunchy kind! :)
I have yet to try crunchy cookie butter – I’ve really been dying to though! I bet it’s wonderful in these little beauties!
Oh how I want a Trader Joes! These bars sound amazing!Good thing we’re going to Atlanta and the hubby has promised me a trip to Trader Joes. I’m going to stock up on things like cookie butter, just so I can make these bars!
Did you say toffee???? Wow, these sound incredible…I have some crunchy cookie butter in my pantry that’s been waiting for this recipe :)
I am going to have try this cookie butter thing everyone is talking about. These bars look irresistible! Anything with toffee…yum.
Btw, I love your website, simple and elegant.
Nazneen
I love the additional spread and toffee sprinkle on top of these!
I brought a jar of this cookie butter spread home, and hubby immediately said, “please don’t bring that home again!” LOL, I guess it was that good! Your bars sounds AWESOME:-) Hugs, Terra
I love the sound of these flavours all together.
I just saw this new cookie butter at Trader Joes yesterday. I can only imagine how tasty your toffee bars are. Love, love these!!!!
why don’t I have a Trader’s Joe around here? So jealous of your tasty finds!
the bars look dangerous!
Mmmm crunchy cookie butter sounds divine! As does the sound of these toffee bars. I love toffee!
I’m currently hoarding 1.5 jars of Biscoff! I am reluctant to eat it all because it’s hard to get here but I also know that it’s so delicious! This is a great use for it Laura :)
I still have not tried cookie butter, but these bars look amazing…wow!