Mascarpone Chocolate Toffee Bars

I came across these delectable treats on one of the Giada at Home episodes. While salivating over the TV screen,  I noticed that the ingredients were pretty standard and the recipe was extremely simple. I actually had almost all of the ingredients on hand too! So I decided to give them a try. And let me tell you, they taste as good as they look. Maybe better!

Ingredients

Vegetable cooking spray
1 pound refrigerated sugar cookie dough 
2 (1.4-ounces) chocolate-toffee candy bars, coarsely chopped, divided 
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 7 by 10 3/4-inch nonstick baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Lay a 6 by 18-inch piece of parchment paper in the pan, allowing the excess paper to overhang the sides. Spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the cookie dough, 1/2 of the chopped chocolate-toffee candy pieces and vanilla extract. Using damp fingers, gently press the dough into the prepared pan. Using the tines of a fork, prick the dough all over. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Cool for 15 minutes.

Place the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a medium bowl. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir until the chocolate has melted. Cool the chocolate mixture for 10 minutes. Whisk in the mascarpone cheese until the mixture is smooth. Using a spatula, spread the chocolate mixture over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate-toffee candy pieces and sliced almonds over the chocolate mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until the chocolate layer is firm.

 

Peel off the parchment paper and cut into 1 1/2 by 2-inch bars. Serve at room temperature.


Servings: About 21 bars.